Nature therapy, integrative counselling and somatics in Birmingham

Nature therapy, somatics and integrative counselling in Birmingham. Explore your struggles and experience against the supportive backdrop of the natural world. Wild therapy with a registered counsellor who works with the mind, body and nervous system.

If you are in crisis and/or need urgent help or support, please check out these resources.

I’m Laura (she / her)

Thank you for being here. I’m excited to share my nature therapy and wild therapy offering with you. I’m a BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) registered counsellor and therapist who offers sessions against the backdrop of the natural world’s cycles and seasons. You can read more about how nature based counselling and wild therapy can support you here. I’ve also shared a bit more about my approach as a therapist here.

If you’re looking for online therapy or in person therapy indoors, you can head to my counselling and therapy page here.

My own journey towards becoming a counsellor started with my experience of therapy as a client. Exploring my challenges in a safe, supportive and affirming space helped me to live a more connected and fulfilled life. As well as going to therapy, I’ve always really benefited from and connected to the healing powers of the natural world, so I’m excited to be able to bring counselling and psychotherapeutic counselling out into nature, to support you on your journey.

Aside from the supportive benefits of being held by nature, my approach as a therapist outside follows a similar path to my approach when working inside. You might want to focus on a specific problem, or perhaps you want to understand yourself and your experience better. Maybe you just need some space to simply be with your experience outside of the hustle and bustle of day to day life.

The types of therapy I work with include nature allied therapy, psychodynamic therapy, gestalt therapy, humanistic therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and somatic trauma therapy. I’m also a licensed meditation teacher, a yoga teacher, a sound practitioner and I do work around spirituality and wellbeing in nature.

You don’t necessarily need to work out whether any of these approaches are right for you, they’re simply tools that I’ll use to support you as we explore the natural world together, as well as explore the experiences that have led you to seek counselling.

There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter.”

Rachel Carson

What you might want to explore in nature based counselling and therapy

I offer weekly nature based counselling and wild therapy sessions. Sessions take place at Lickey Hills Country Park. Whether you decide on six sessions of counselling or ongoing work, we’ll tailor your therapy to your goals and regularly review how we’re working together. I’ve touched on the types of therapy I work above. Some of the things you might want to explore in counselling include:

grief
autism, adhd or other neurodiversity
stress
life transitions
relationships, relationship patterns and relationship dynamics
depression and low mood
anxiety and anxiety disorders
trauma
identity
pain, chronic illness and other health issues
menopause

Outside of my work as a counsellor and therapist, I’m a meditation teacher, a sound practitioner, a space holder, a yoga teacher and a wellbeing in nature facilitator. While I don't always bring these elements into the counselling room, it's safe to say I believe that a holistic approach that works with the mind, body and nervous system can be hugely beneficial.
My approach is trauma informed and rooted in safely connecting with yourself and your experience, in a way that works for you. That might mean focussing on what's happening for you in the here and now, or exploring the past and how it affects the present. What ever you're wanting to explore, I'm here to support you.

I’m also committed to providing counselling that affirms anyone who experiences marginalisation because of any aspect of their identity, including the LGBTQI+ community. Everyone is welcome here.

Find out more about my approach as a counsellor here.

Some things to think about when deciding whether nature therapy / wild therapy is right for you

Nature based therapy sessions currently take place at The Lickey Hills, just South of Birmingham
Nature based sessions take place what ever the weather. In the case of very high winds or thunder storms we may need to cancel a session but outside of that sessions will take place come rain or shine
Please dress appropriately for the weather so that you are comfortable throughout the session and be prepared for changes to the weather. I suggest that you bring layered clothing for warmth, along with waterproof clothing and a sturdy pair of waterproof footwear.
We agree to take responsibility for our own safety whilst on site. Outdoor settings have natural trip hazards (tree roots etc) and eye level flora such as hanging branches. If the weather has been wet then the terrain may be slippery or water logged. At some times in the year there maybe biting insects, bring any precautions such as insect repellent with you.
Mother nature models boundaries in a beautiful way; if you respect her boundaries and come prepared, exploring therapy while in connection with nature can provide a rich and nourishing therapeutic experience.

Integrative counselling
and nature therapy
pricing

Nature based counselling and therapy sessions are £60 per session.

While I don’t offer concessionary rates for nature based counselling, I do offer a number of concessionary rate slots for my indoor counselling practice and via zoom. You can head here to find out about my indoor and online sessions.

I offer a free 15 minute introduction call, where we can talk about your reasons for coming to counselling, to see if my approach feels like a good fit.