Nature Therapy in Kansas City, MO
We believe in the healing power of nature. Consistent time in nature results in a significant boost in mood, decreased stress, and better concentration - and makes you better looking! With our Nature Therapy in Kansas City, MO, we practice purposeful time outdoors. And we teach you beneficial tools to turn down the noise of your racing mind to better connect with yourself within nature. After our initial session (in-office), we meet locally at a park, trail, or around the Brookside neighborhood. We have several outdoor nature options throughout Kansas City and are happy to meet at a place you love. We’re always happy to explore new outdoor areas!
Types of Nature Therapy
Ecotherapy (or Nature Therapy) can take many different forms. This can be from mindful gardening to walking or sitting in lush green spaces to spending time with animals.
Here’s a closer look at some different types of nature therapy:
Horticultural Therapy
Horticultural therapy usually involves some form of gardening. This type of therapy can also include caring for, watering, or simply spending time with plants indoors.
Forest Therapy
Forest therapy is based on the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku, meaning forest bathing. According to the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance (INFTA), it’s a research-supported practice of guided immersion in forests. This practice promotes mental and physical health while you relax and enjoy the forest. Possible forest bathing benefits include improved relaxation and reduced stress. As well as increased physical activity, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Wilderness Therapy
Wilderness therapy involves immersing oneself in nature. This is done by camping and hiking in the wilderness while taking part in survival skills training and exercises.
“Through a therapist, people doing wilderness therapy have [the opportunity] to confront their maladaptive behaviors through primitive-skills training and team-building exercises in risky [but supervised by the therapist] outdoor environments,” Smith explains. “This can help build self-confidence, overcome negative beliefs, improve communication skills, and gain trust.”
This type of therapy is often aimed at teenagers or young adults dealing with difficult situations, Dr. Sebree notes.
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy involves spending time with an animal or animals. This can be done outside in a farm setting or inside with therapy pets like dogs. Equine-assisted therapy brings horses into the therapeutic process.
A session can involve petting, feeding, or grooming animals. This is done under the supervision of a professional therapist.
Green Exercise
Green exercise simply means partaking in physical activity while exposing yourself to nature. This may include any kind of exercise in nature, including gardening, walking, cycling, running, or horse riding, to name a few. While green exercise is not usually supervised by a therapist or medical professional, and therefore may not be ecotherapy, per se, it may offer therapeutic benefits or experiences. Another positive is that it can happen at home or on a wellness trip.
Benefits of Nature Therapy
Ecotherapy (and other forms of nature interactions) have been tied to a number of possible health benefits in hundreds of scientific studies for various physical and mental illnesses, per a research review published in August 2018 in Frontiers in Psychology. These may range from improved mental health to physical benefits like pain management. Here are a handful of ways getting outside (in a therapeutic environment or otherwise) may be worth it.
May Boost Your Mood and Relieve Stress
Numerous studies have examined the effects of nature on mental health. According to a research review published in July 2019 in Science Advances, the possible psychological benefits of being in nature include positive attitudes, emotions, and feelings. Essentially, interacting with nature may put you in a better mood and reduce stress. Here are a few more potential perks, according to science.
May Ease Depression and Anxiety
Since engaging with nature often leads to a better mood, it may be no surprise that ecotherapy has been linked to a reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Some research has shown that access to green and blue spaces (being around water, such as lakes, rivers, or the ocean) is associated with a lower risk of mood disorders. As well as higher instances of self-reported good mental and overall health.
May Help Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms
Several forms of ecotherapy have been shown to be effective for veterans living with PTSD. This includes wilderness therapy, adventure therapy, and green space-based therapy.
One small study published in September 2021 in BMJ Open looked at the effects of hiking in nature on 26 veterans with PTSD in the Pacific Northwest. Over the course of 12 weeks, half of the participants went on six nature hikes, while the other group participated in six urban hikes. At the end of this period, those who partook in the nature hikes reported more improvement in PTSD symptoms than those who went on the urban hikes.
For many veterans, being immersed in nature has a calming effect. This helps them manage negative emotions. It may allow them to see past their traumatic military experiences and injuries to a greater purpose for themselves.
May Enhance Well-Being and Quality of Life
For many people, being outside simply helps them feel good. Some research has shown that engagement with our natural environment has been linked to improved well-being and greater life satisfaction.
May Improve Management of ADHD
Regular exposure to nature and green outdoor activities has been linked to a reduction in ADHD symptoms in children, according to research. This benefit has been found among both boys and girls from all income groups.
Pain Relief
Exposure to nature or nature images has been linked with reduced pain. As well as pain perception in people undergoing medical procedures and during recovery.
A study of 61 individuals with chronic pain found that those in the experimental group who completed a two-day forest therapy program reported significant decreases in pain and depression. This was compared with a control group that didn’t participate in the forest program.
Begin your Journey to a Better Self through Nature Therapy in Kansas City, MO today!
Immerse yourself in the healing power of nature with Nature therapy in Kansas City, MO with GOKC. Step away from the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with the natural world around you. Experience the calming effects of being outdoors, surrounded by greenery and fresh air. Nature therapy can improve your mental well-being, reduce stress, and enhance your overall quality of life. Take the first step towards a more balanced and grounded existence by following the steps below:
Work with an experienced nature therapist.
See how your life can change for the better through nature therapy!
Other Therapy Services Offered at GOKC in Brookside, Kansas City, and throughout MO + Kansas
At GOKC, we offer a range of services designed to promote healing and well-being outside of Nature Therapy in Kansas City, MO. Our services include DBT Treatment, Online Therapy, and EMDR for Trauma Recovery. Additionally, we offer Art Therapy, PTSD Treatment, and Somatic Experiencing. Whether you're looking to address specific mental health issues or seeking a deeper connection with yourself, GOKC can help you!
Do you prefer in office or virtual telehealth? Connect now to schedule or for a free consultation call.
