Outdoor & Nature-Based Therapy

We believe healing shouldn't be confined to four walls. Our outdoor therapy sessions blend clinical expertise with the restorative power of nature. Our providers help you reconnect with yourself in a grounding, natural environment.

Outdoor therapy are exactly what it sounds like. Using the experience of “walk and talk” and being outdoors as a space to explore your thoughts and feelings while also being in the beauty of nature. Our providers meet people outside at different nature based locations in the metro area and can walk, sit or even hike, while conducting therapy. Being outdoors can provide more space to talk freely while experiencing the spring air, fall colors or the crisp fresh snow. Even if you don’t want to walk or hike, sitting at a park bench can be just as therapeutic. Imagine sitting outside talking about thoughts and feelings, all while surrounded by the beauty of nature. This is the purpose of therapy outdoors, to give you more experiential space to talk without being in an office. Granted- we also like our offices, and our indoor therapists are awesome too.

BENEFITS OF WALKING & NATURE BASED THERAPY:

As a society, more and more, we find ourselves on our phones, watching shows or doom scrolling social media. This isn’t striking news, but this is why we think there might be a hidden benefit of being outdoors in nature while talking about your feelings with a therapist. Movement-based therapy offers unique clinical advantages that traditional office settings cannot. It is particularly effective for clients who feel "stuck" or find eye contact in a small room intimidating.

A COMPLEMENTARY APPROACH TO DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY:

Walking side-by-side with a therapist helps regulate the nervous system, for some making it easier to process difficult emotions and can reduce the symptoms of acute anxiety.

OUTDOOR THERAPY FOR NEURODIVERSITY & ADHD

Nature provides a "low-arousal" environment that is often more comfortable for neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD or Autism, allowing for better engagement and communication.

Where We Meet: Our Minnesota Nature Hubs

We offer outdoor sessions at several convenient locations across the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Our therapists meet you at designated trailheads and parks for professional sessions.

Minneapolis & St. Paul Metro

Sessions are available at Como Park and other regional parks in the St. Paul and Minneapolis area, offering a peaceful escape within the city.

White Bear Lake & Northern Metro

Explore the trails of White Bear Lake and Ramsey County with our local specialists who utilize the local landscape for therapeutic growth.

Cambridge & Isanti County

For those in the north metro, we provide outdoor therapy options in Cambridge, focusing on accessibility for rural and suburban communities

Meet Our Outdoor Therapy team:

Kristine Pfau, MSW, LGSW

Specializing in nature-based therapy for teens and young adults in Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, and White Bear Lake.

Chloe Kieser, MS, LPC

Providing outdoor therapy in Cambridge for individuals navigating neurodiversity, postpartum support, and holistic wellness.

Starting Your Journey Outdoors:

Ready to take your healing outside? We have immediate openings for outdoor therapy with no waitlist and we accept most major insurances.

Most ages are welcome to experience outdoor therapy, pending agreement to our rules and expectations. Our outdoor work is weather contingent. If the weather is out of your interest or outside of our provider’s comfort we switch the appointments to telehealth or office based.

Our nature experience/ outdoor therapy does not include building fires, team building activities or teaching structure and rules to kids and their families. Our therapeutic experience being outdoors involves, walking and talking, hiking and sitting in the beauty of nature. Physical limitations are respected.

Let us know if you have any questions or want to see what it’s all about!