WILD

THERAPY
 Wild therapy
Who Founded the Theory and When
Wild therapy was established by Nick
Totton, a psychotherapist and writer
recognised for his efforts in blending
ecological awareness with
psychotherapy.
Nick has been a therapist since 1981 and has MA in
Psychoanalytic Studies. Nick has developed his own
integrative approach to psychotherapy as well as trained as
a cranio-sacral therapist and Process Oriented Psychology.
https://erthworks.co.uk/user/nick-totton/

Wild Therapy originated in 2011 when Nick

Totton published a book, Wild Therapy:
Undomesticating Inner and Outer Worlds.
 Who are the key players in this theory?
The broad concept of 'wild therapy' has been taken up by a number
of people.

Significant contributors to this practice include;

Jayne Johnson - Embodied Relational and Wild Therapist.
Leonie Guest - Core Process Psychotherapist
Hayley Marshall - Transactional Analyst https://www.centrefornaturalreflection.co.uk/
Allison Priestman – Embodied Relational and Wild Therapist.
https://www.allisonpriestman.org/

Matthew Henson - Existential Psychotherapist. https://www.matthewhenson.ie/

Mary Jayne Rust - art therapist and Jungian analyst https://mjrust.net/
What influenced the development of the theory?
Wild – Restrained Wild – Peaceful
Wild – Civilised Wild – Tame Wild Card

Freud and Jung both recognised the tension between the wild
and civilised aspects of human nature, but they approached it
differently.
Freud viewed the unconscious as primitive and therefore lower
and something to be tamed. Jung however believed that mans
contact with nature was gone and with it the “profound
emotional energy that this symbolic connection supplied”. (Jung
1964 pg95)
The Human connection to The other than Human & the
More than Human: animals, birds, plants, trees, hills,
rivers, winds, dreams, ghosts, spirits

Wild Therapy involves conducting sessions in natural

surroundings highlighting the vital link between human
well-being and the environment.
 Distractions Real World
Sometimes our thoughts need interruption Being in a public space mimics the real world,
because our line of thinking wasn’t helpful; which may help provide clarity of the problem as
being outdoors offers natural interruptions and well as the potential for uncomfortable
perspective. It also gives us the opportunity to circumstances allow for real life experiences to
practice distress tolerance. For example, running
navigate distractions, which are inevitable in
today’s world, and improve attention and into someone you know, observing something Space to breathe &
memory. (Studies show being in nature does
both!)
strange or unsettling, less than pleasant
weather, and so on. explore

Movement Perspective
We gain perspective on ourselves and our
problems as we witness the connection
among living beings and experience
wonder and awe. Similarly, we see very
real ways that change is the only constant
as we observe seasonal and
environmental changes. This can foster
STRENGTHS/BENEFITS creativity and curiosity.

Skills Practice
Health
Risk & Play

Possibility &
Options

Reinforces connection
 Strengths/benefits
• Distractions – Sometimes our thoughts need interruption because our line of thinking wasn’t helpful; being outdoors offers natural interruptions and perspective. It
also gives us the opportunity to navigate distractions, which are inevitable in today’s world, and improve attention and memory. (Studies show being in nature does
both!)
• Movement - Involving body and mind together helps us process and think as well as helping with movement of emotional energy. Through movement, we are also
able to explore your relationship to your body and exercise. (I work a lot with eating disorders and am certified in a program to help people heal from compulsive
exercise. You can find out more about that here .)
• Skills Practice – Much of therapy is about learning new or more effective ways of navigating challenging circumstances so we have an improved ability to weather
the storms that come our way. Nature allows for in vivo grounding, mindfulness, and other skills practice.
• Real World - Being in a public space mimics the real world, which may help provide clarity of the problem as well as the potential for uncomfortable circumstances
allow for real life experiences to practice distress tolerance. For example, running into someone you know, observing something strange or unsettling, less than
pleasant weather, and so on.
• Possibility and Options - Outdoor therapy offers a variety of options for the setting of the session: sitting on a picnic bench, in camp chairs, on rocks in the creek, or
on a blanket in the woods; hiking in the woods, creek walking, walking on the sidewalk, to name a few. Likewise, we have a variety of options for experiential
techniques, such as throwing rocks, practicing decision making, engaging with symbolism and metaphor as it pertains to your situation and our experience in nature.
• Perspective - We gain perspective on ourselves and our problems as we witness the connection among living beings and experience wonder and awe. Similarly, we
see very real ways that change is the only constant as we observe seasonal and environmental changes. This can foster creativity and curiosity.
• Health - Being outside offers the benefit of improved immunity (including the potential for reduced allergies over time) by boosting natural killer cells and vitamin D
exposure. We also experience improved mood, attention, memory, and brain health including reduced risk for dementia through walking.
• Risk and Play - Both are important qualities of a healthy life as they help us learn about ourselves, including our strengths, skills, and abilities and limits. It helps
foster confidence and resilience and can promote brain health by creating new neural pathways.
• Space to breathe and to explore (outer and inner landscape).
• Reinforces Connection – Time in nature helps facilitate connection to self, therapist, environment, and community.
A Note Specifically for Clinicians- A benefit to conducting a therapy session outdoors offers you a chance to be active instead of sitting all day, helps buffer the emotional
heaviness of therapeutic work, is grounding, and you may potentially reduce your overhead costs as a result of not renting office.
 Weaknesses
 Distractions: It is impossible to control the distractions outdoors compared to an office setting. The nature of being outside
offers more distractions; being in a public park adds another layer of distractions.

 Weather - Dallas weather offers some extremes: heat, cold, bugs, humidity, wind, and storms. One of the top questions I get
from others: “what do you do about the weather?” If you have this question, ask me.

 Privacy – I practice in a local nature preserve, which can be busy at times, offering less privacy. Sometimes this may hinder
someone from going deeper into sensitive topics.

 Unpredictability – Neither of us knows what the conditions of the session will be – will the park be crowded? Will it be raining?
Can we find a private spot? (For the record, we always can, it just may require using trails.)

 Gear - Special gear may be beneficial; for example a rain coat, water proof shoes, or an umbrella, comfortable walking
shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen may help you be more comfortable in different circumstances. While sessions don’t
require special gear, having the right gear can improve your outdoor experience.

 Risk- Potential for injury, exposure to environmental allergens (though you also have such exposure in an office, it’s just
different).

 Vulnerability – Simply said, some may feel more vulnerable when sharing private thoughts and emotions in a public space.

A Note Specifically for Clinicians: Some cons you may experience include increased liability and costs associated with liability
insurance, energy demands/stamina, weather—which can impact your comfort and schedule—distractions, and some express
personal safety concerns.
 What are the fundamental ideas of this theory/approach?
• Wild Therapy is an approach that emphasizes our interconnectedness with the natural world and seeks to
integrate ecological awareness into therapeutic practice.

• The approach recognizes that humans are not isolated entities, but profoundly connected with all life
forms. It encourages a shift in consciousness, one that aligns with ecological principles and recognizes by
integrating these ideas, therapists can create a therapeutic approach that honours both human and non-
human aspects of existence.

• Here are some more fundamental ideas of Wild Therapy:

• Interdependence: Wild Therapy acknowledges the interdependence of everything that exists. It

recognizes that our well-being is intricately linked to the well-being of the ecosystems we inhabit.

• Relational Approach: This therapy is through-and-through relational. It emphasizes the importance of

relationships, not only with other humans but also with the natural environment and non-human entities.

• Role of Other-Than-Human and More-Than-Human: Wild Therapy identifies the role of the other-than-
human (such as animals, plants, and landscapes) and more-than-human (such as the elements, energies,
and spirits) in the therapeutic process. These entities are seen as active participants in healing and
growth1.

• Supporting Liminality: Liminal spaces—those in-between, threshold moments—are celebrated and

protected in Wild Therapy. These transitional states offer opportunities for transformation and growth.

• Embodiment: Embodiment is central to our existence. Wild Therapy recognizes the importance of being
fully present in our bodies and experiencing the world through our senses.