Sometimes, the traditional therapy room
can feel like another hurdle.
Many people:
Find it difficult to talk about feelings directly
Nature provides a different therapeutic environment — one that can create opportunities for children and young people to slow down, notice, explore, move, create and connect.
Feel uncomfortable or struggle to sit still for long periods of time
Nature-based psychology sessions not only offer physically calming effects, it provides opportunities to explore, create, feel and be without the pressure of lengthy conversations
Feel disconnected from themselves, others or the world around them
In our technology-driven lives, we often feel disconnected from our bodies, senses, and relationships. Engaging with nature through psychologically informed practices allows us to experience reconnecting with ourselves.
We combine psychological therapy with the natural environment to create sessions that are engaging, experiential and tailored to the individual.
Sessions take place outdoors at Brimbank Park, Keilor East where we explore the natural environment to support therapeutic goals.
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Depending on the client and what they are working towards, sessions may incorporate approaches drawn from:
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Gestalt-play therapy
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Art and creative therapy
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Mindfulness
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Emotional regulation strategies
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Nature-based therapeutic activities
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Psychological education and reflection
The session is psychology grounded — just delivered in a way that invites nature to enrich our experience.
Hi, I'm Danielle
I'm a psychologist and the founder of Innerbloom Psychology, with a particular passion for helping young people and their families develop the skills and confidence they need to navigate their world.
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Over the years, I've seen how differently children communicate when we give them opportunities to play, move, create and explore rather than expecting them to simply sit and talk. Nature-based psychology grew from this same idea:
What happens when we change the environment, rather than expecting the child to change themselves to fit the environment?
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I wanted to create a therapeutic space that feels engaging and meaningful for children, while still being grounded in psychological theory and evidence-informed practice.
Nature gives us so many opportunities to explore psychological concepts in tangible ways — from noticing what's happening around us, to navigating challenges, making choices, slowing down, experimenting with different perspectives and discovering what matters.
My role isn't to simply take therapy outside. It's to help us reconnect with our true nature, to create a deeper relationship with ourselves and the world around us.
If you're ready to:
Experience psychology differently
Using the same evidence-based practices in a more experiential, practical way
Engage with nature
People have been in relationship with nature since humans first existed. Reconnecting this relationship can have profound effects on our mental and physical health.
Build practical skills
Learning how to switch attention, be present, engage your senses, build frustration tolerance, regulate emotions and improve relational skills are just some of the benefits.
Feel more comfortable
to engage in therapy
The natural environment has physiologically calming effects on our nervous system. Being able to walk, sit, move, create and observe can make therapy something your child looks forward to coming to.
FAQs
We understand that this is a different model to engage in psychology sessions. This approach is not suited for everyone and will be discussed on a case-by-case basis with your psychologist. It is natural to have lots of questions about what nature-based psychology sessions will look like, so here's a few commonly asked questions:
Where do sessions take place? Sessions are held at Brimbank Park. The specific location will be discussed with you prior to your session.
What happens if it rains? Sessions may be modified, relocated or moved to telehealth where weather or environmental conditions make the session unsuitable. Your psychologist will be regularly checking weather reports to ensure it is safe and suitable to proceed with a session.
Does a parent need to stay? Yes. A parent or nominated adult must remain onsite for the duration of the session.
What should my child wear? Comfortable clothing and enclosed footwear suitable for walking and outdoor activities. We recommend dressing appropriately for the weather and bringing water, sunscreen and any other items your child may need.
Will my child be walking the whole time? No, not necessarily. We will have a 'base' then explore what your child might benefit from; whether that is sitting, walking, playing, creating, observing, talking or exploring.
How do I know if my child is suited for nature-based sessions? Children who find traditional therapy uncomfortable, enjoys being outdoors or might benefit from doing therapy differently are often well suited to nature therapy. Every enquiry will be explored in detail with you to determine the best model for your child and your family.