Nature - based therapy

Nature-Based Therapy - Ecotherapy and Forest Bathing

Modern life increasingly distances us from nature. We spend most of our time indoors, in front of screens, in constant rush. Yet both our psyche and our body need contact with the natural world – a connection that has shaped human health and wellbeing for thousands of years. Nature-based therapy restores this bond, using it as a tool to support personal development and mental health.

My name is Sylwia Kieszkowska. I am a certified ecotherapist (Pacifica Graduate Institute) and a certified forest therapy guide (Forest Therapy Hub). For years, I have combined psychotherapeutic practice with an ecological approach, helping clients find balance through mindful contact with nature.

What Nature-Based Therapy Is

Nature-based therapy is a form of experiential therapy that integrates the relationship with the natural world into therapeutic interventions. Its goal is to support the client’s growth and development while striving for mutual healing – both for people and for their wider ecological home.

Unlike traditional office-based psychotherapy, ecotherapy sessions take place outdoors, in natural environments – in the forest or by the water. Nature becomes an active participant in the therapeutic process, offering a space for restoration, reflection, and deeper contact with oneself.

Elements of Nature-Based Therapy

Although nature-based practices vary widely, they share several common elements.

Mindfulness and sensory awareness practices help clients fully experience the present moment through the senses – listening to the sounds of the forest, observing light filtering through the tree canopy, feeling the texture of bark, or noticing the scent of the earth.

A focus on connection and belonging allows individuals to experience themselves as part of a larger whole – the ecosystem, nature, the world. This experience counteracts feelings of isolation and loneliness that often accompany modern psychological difficulties.

An experiential and process-oriented approach means that therapy is based on direct experience, not only on conversation. Attention to the body helps notice tensions, sensations, and signals coming from the organism. Regeneration and regulation support the nervous system’s natural ability to return to balance.

Forms of Nature-Based Therapy

I offer different forms of work depending on the needs and preferences of clients. These include individual sessions, group sessions, and forest bathing as a form of wellbeing practice.

Consultation

A structured nature-based session that may take place in person or online. Its purpose is to assess needs, establish goals, and design a tailored programme integrating ecotherapy, mindfulness, and practical steps supporting wellbeing. The initial session is a standard consultation in the office lasting 60 minutes. After this session, we discuss the settings for outdoor sessions individually – including location, frequency, and duration.

Walk & Talk Therapy

A guided therapeutic walk in a natural environment that combines talk therapy with movement and sensory grounding. This format supports emotional processing, insight, and emotional regulation by drawing on the embodied connection with place. Movement during conversation often makes it easier to access difficult topics and supports the integration of experiences.

Long-Term Therapy

A slow, gently guided immersive practice using mindful sensory exercises. It supports stress reduction, deepens attention to the more-than-human world, and restores emotional balance, resilience, and ecological belonging. This process is designed for individuals who wish to explore their relationship with nature and themselves more deeply.

Forest Bathing

Forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) is a practice originating in Japan that involves immersing oneself mindfully in the atmosphere of the forest. As a certified forest therapy guide, I lead sessions that combine slow walking with exercises engaging all the senses. It is a form of wellbeing practice that does not require prior experience or special physical fitness.

Individual Nature-Based Therapy

An individual session of nature-based therapy lasts 90 minutes. Before beginning outdoor work, a standard consultation takes place in the office (60 minutes), during which we get to know each other, discuss your needs, and plan the structure of the outdoor sessions together.

Sessions usually take place in the forest or in waterside environments. The specific location, frequency, and other details are determined individually after the initial consultation, according to your possibilities and preferences.

Group Nature-Based Therapy

Group sessions last 3 hours and offer the opportunity to work in the presence of others. The group provides an additional dimension of support and allows participants to experience connection not only with nature but also with other people who share similar intentions.

I lead a nature-based therapy group focused on anxiety-related difficulties. It is a space for individuals who experience anxiety and want to work with it in a safe, natural environment in the company of others.

My Approach to Ecotherapy

I continuously expand my knowledge and skills by actively participating in numerous international training programmes. I regularly bring my sessions to supervision with senior teachers in the field. I believe in adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards of my profession regarding privacy, confidentiality, and competence.

Being outdoors and engaging in movement are key elements of my practice, focusing on our relationships with nature as a way of cultivating health and wellbeing. My approach draws on ecological, narrative, and somatic traditions, often incorporating practices of sensory awareness and self-regulation.

My Qualifications in Ecotherapy

I am a certified ecotherapist – I obtained my certification at Pacifica Graduate Institute. I also hold a forest therapy guide certification issued by Forest Therapy Hub.

I co-create the educational platform Naturally Balanced devoted to ecopsychology. I am the author of the certification course “Ecotherapy, Medical Ecology and Biomimicry” designed for helping professionals and educators. I also conduct workshops and specialist webinars in the field of ecopsychology and ecotherapeutic interventions for professionals.

Who Nature-Based Therapy Is For

Ecotherapy may be helpful for people experiencing chronic stress, tension, or burnout. It works well for individuals who feel disconnected from themselves, their emotions, or their surroundings.

It can support those looking for an alternative to traditional office-based therapy or those who wish to complement it with therapeutic work in nature.

Nature-based therapy can also benefit people struggling with anxiety, feelings of overwhelm, or difficulties with emotional regulation. It may be valuable for anyone who intuitively feels that contact with nature helps them but wants to deepen this experience under the guidance of a specialist.

Other Forms of Therapy

In addition to ecotherapy, I also provide individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, and specialised GI therapy (psychogastroenterology) for individuals with gut-brain axis disorders. These approaches can be combined – some clients choose to participate both in office-based sessions and in therapeutic work in nature.

Book a Session

If you would like to experience nature-based therapy or have questions about this form of work, please contact me. You can write to sylwia@kieszkowska.eu. I will be happy to tell you more about what working outdoors looks like and whether ecotherapy may be suitable for you.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Nature-Based Therapy

How is ecotherapy different from an ordinary walk in the forest?

Ecotherapy is a structured therapeutic practice led by a qualified professional. It includes specific exercises, intentions, and techniques that support the psychological process. A regular walk can be relaxing, but ecotherapy intentionally uses contact with nature as a tool for working through specific difficulties.

Do I need to be physically fit to participate in ecotherapy?

No, nature-based therapy does not require a high level of physical fitness. Sessions take place at a calm pace with frequent pauses. Exercises can be adapted to your capabilities. Openness to experiencing nature through the senses is more important than physical condition.

What is forest bathing?

Forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) is a Japanese practice that involves mindfully immersing oneself in the atmosphere of the forest. It is not about physical effort or hiking, but about slow, attentive presence among trees while engaging all the senses. This practice supports stress reduction and improves overall wellbeing.

Where do ecotherapy sessions take place?

Sessions take place in natural environments – usually in the forest or by the water. The specific location is determined individually after the initial consultation, taking into account your travel possibilities and preferences. The initial consultation takes place in the office and lasts 60 minutes.

Can I combine ecotherapy with traditional psychotherapy?

Yes, many people choose to participate both in office-based sessions and in therapeutic work in nature. These approaches can complement each other – office work allows for deeper analysis and conversation, while ecotherapy offers embodied experience and contact with nature. Together we determine which combination will work best for you.

How long does an ecotherapy session last?

An individual nature-based therapy session lasts 90 minutes. Group sessions last 3 hours. The initial session (office consultation) lasts 60 minutes and precedes the beginning of outdoor work.