Outdoor Therapy

Outdoor therapy is traditional talk therapy. It’s just outside, walking side-by-side or sitting in a quiet spot together. 

Being outside can make it easier to ground, drop in, and open up. Gentle movement can help emotions flow. Sensory cues (wind, sunlight, birds) can spark insight, embodiment, and metaphor. Green spaces can lower stress and help the nervous system settle.

  • I only offer outdoor sessions in Oakland. My go-to spots are in Joaquin Miller Park and Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. These spots have low traffic, flat paths, shade, bathrooms, and seating. We will collaboratively choose a location - I’m open to your suggestions.

  • Outdoor therapy may be helpful if you:

    • Enjoy being outdoors

    • Feel more grounded when moving your body

    • Prefer less eye contact or a less formal setting


    It may not be ideal if you:

    • Need high privacy or cannot risk being seen in public

    • Are in acute crisis and need a contained, stationary space

    • Have mobility, sensory, or medical needs that make outdoor sessions uncomfortable

    We’ll decide together—there’s no pressure to choose outdoors if it doesn’t serve you. There are plenty of ways to bring nature into our sessions without being outside together.

  • Nope! Fees are the same as standard sessions.

  • Comfortable shoes, layers, water, sunscreen/hat, inhaler or other personal meds if you use them. I carry basic first-aid.

  • We’ll check the forecast. We’ll switch to telehealth or in-office if there’s smoke, heavy rain, or it’s uncomfortably hot or cold. Your comfort and safety come first. We’ll take a seasonal break during colder, rainier months and shift to telehealth or in-office.

  • Yes. We can alternate (example: telehealth one week, walk & talk the next). We can do occasional or monthly outdoor sessions. You can change formats anytime — just give a heads-up.

  • We’ll discuss strategies for maximizing your privacy and comfort. We’ll make agreements beforehand about how to respond if we encounter someone you or I know. We’ll utilize lower-traffic paths and spots. I uphold the same confidentiality standards as in-office therapy.