Nature-Based and Pluralistic Counselling
Creating Safety I Finding Meaning I Discovering Beauty
About Me
As a pluralistic counsellor, I believe there’s no single path to healing — we all need different things at different times. My approach is rooted in the belief that we each have the capacity for change, even when life feels overwhelming or uncertain.My path into counselling came from lived experience — from facing pain, uncertainty, and the parts of life that don’t tidy up easily. It left me with a deep respect for how hard it can be just to keep going, and a drive to offer others the kind of space I once needed: where you feel seen, understood, and not alone. I'm particularly drawn to the profound effects of the natural world on our mental and emotional well-being, making nature-based therapy a core part of my philosophy.
I hold a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and have worked in NHS, third sector and private institutions providing me with a broad range of experience in the field of mental health and alcohol and substance misuse, with both adolescents and adults. This is complemented in my current work by a number of years experience working in the nature conservation field, where I led practical, educational and nature connection groups for the general public and hold a Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management and Environment Studies.In our sessions, whether we're walking through the woods or finding a quiet spot for reflection by a local stream, my commitment is to create a confidential and compassionate environment. I'm here to support you in exploring your experiences, gaining fresh perspectives on what feels stuck, and navigating your life transitions with greater clarity and resilience. My goal is to help you cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and harness the restorative power of the outdoors to support your well-being.
Why Counselling?
Many of my clients come to therapy carrying feelings of overwhelm, disconnection, or emotional exhaustion. You might be facing a difficult decision, struggling with anxiety, low mood, or simply finding it hard to make sense of how you feel. Whatever you're carrying, therapy offers a space to explore it — gently, at your own pace, and with support.Through counselling, I help individuals like you find clarity, build resilience, and reconnect with what matters most — so you can move forward with greater ease and self-understanding.
You might resonate with my approach if you are...
Struggling to adapt to a new phase of life
This might include retirement, becoming a parent, relocating, or significant relationship changes.
Feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety and depression
Particularly when it leaves you feeling paralyzed or unable to act.
At a crossroads in your career or personal life
Unsure which path to take or how to make important decisions.
Seeking to reconnect with your authentic self
And rediscover what truly brings you joy and purpose.
Looking for a holistic approach to wellbeing
You're drawn to the healing power of nature and seeking a therapeutic experience that engages both mind and body.
Longing for a fresh perspective
On old problems or new challenges.
In addiction recovery
And seeking novel, evidence-based additions to your recovery toolkit.
"Therapy just doesn't work!"
For individuals who haven't found success with traditional indoor therapy, the dynamic and expansive outdoor environment can offer a powerful new path.
How I Work
My approach to counselling is rooted in the belief that healing happens best when therapy meets you where you are — emotionally, physically, and practically. I work in a pluralistic way, which means I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches depending on what feels right for you. While I offer sessions outdoors in natural settings, I also work online and in-room. For many, being outside brings a sense of ease and grounding — but whether we’re walking among trees or meeting on a screen, the core of the work remains the same: creating a space where you feel safe, seen, and supported to explore what matters most.
Where do Sessions Take Place?
I offer therapy in three ways: outdoors in natural settings, online via video call, and in-room. We’ll choose the format that feels most supportive and accessible for you.Many of my clients are drawn to working outdoors, where natural surroundings offer a calm, grounding space to explore what’s going on. Whether we’re walking through green spaces or pausing to reflect beneath a tree, nature becomes part of the process — gently supporting insight, regulation, and connection.As a pluralistic therapist, I adapt the way we work to suit your needs — and that includes the environment we meet in.
For those drawn to working outdoors, I use a range of natural spaces around Birmingham and Solihull, including Highbury Park, Clowes Wood, and Billesley Common. These environments offer a quiet, grounding backdrop that many clients find calming and clarifying. Whether we walk or sit, being in nature can help ease into the therapeutic process in a gentle and spacious way. See the pictures below for a flavour of what to expect from the surroundings.If you prefer to work face-to-face indoors, I offer in-room sessions in Earlswood, Kings Heath, or Moseley, depending on availability and what’s most convenient for you. These are quiet, comfortable spaces designed to help you feel at ease.
For those who are not local to Birmingham, or if outdoor sessions aren't feasible, I also offer remote nature-based sessions. You simply choose a space that is confidential and works for you and we connect via phone or video call. This allows us to still harness nature's calming presence and symbolic insights in our work, even when we're not in the same physical space together.
What to Expect...
A Safe and Supportive Space Counselling offers a place where you can be heard, seen, and accepted without judgment. It’s your time and space to share openly at your own pace, knowing that your experience matters.
Collaborative Process Therapy is a partnership. Together, we’ll explore the challenges you’re facing and work towards your goals. There’s no pressure or set agenda — just what feels right and useful for you.
Exploration and Understanding Our sessions may involve talking, reflecting, and gently exploring thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, you’ll gain new insights that help you understand yourself and your situation more clearly.
Practical Growth At times, talking might not feel like enough, so I can support you to build tools and strategies to better manage stress, build resilience, and navigate life’s difficulties with greater confidence and calm.
Connection with Nature If you choose to work outdoors we will tap into the calm and rhythm of the environment can help you feel more grounded and open during sessions. Being in nature often supports deeper reflection and emotional ease.
Flexible Approach Whether we meet outdoors, online, or indoors, I adapt the therapy to fit what works best for you. This flexibility helps create the most supportive environment for your personal growth and healing.
Why "Nature-Based"?
The therapeutic power of nature is not new. For centuries, people have turned to the natural world for healing, grounding, and perspective. Ancient cultures instinctively recognised what many of us are only now beginning to remember — that time spent in nature supports emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. In modern life, this deep connection has often been lost or obscured beneath busyness, screens, and concrete. But research is catching up, consistently showing that time in nature reduces stress, lifts mood, sharpens focus, and supports overall mental health.This isn't surprising when we consider that humans evolved in natural environments – our minds and bodies are inherently wired to thrive in connection with the living world. Being outdoors can foster a sense of belonging, reduce rumination, and activate a different part of our nervous system that supports calm and reflection.In essence, nature provides a familiar and supportive home for our minds, helping us to process emotions and gain clarity in a way that often feels more intuitive and profound.
Sounds a bit..."woo"?
When people hear “nature therapy,” some might think it’s just a trendy or “woo-woo” idea — something soft or unscientific. But that’s far from the truth. Nature therapy, also called ecotherapy or outdoor therapy, is a legitimate, evidence-based approach used by many professional therapists to support mental health and well-being.
Research shows that spending time in natural environments can provide us with a range of benefits for our physical and mental health. Combining this with therapy — talking and exploring difficult feelings — can make it easier for people to open up and heal.Outdoor therapy isn’t about magic or quick fixes. It’s about using the proven benefits of nature alongside professional therapeutic techniques to create a powerful, grounded space for change.For those interested is a meta-analysis from 2020 that pulls together the various research on nature-therapy's effectiveness:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32179342/
The Benefits of Our Outdoor Sessions...
Fresh Perspectives Stepping out of familiar indoor spaces often helps to shift perspective on challenges, fostering new ways of thinking and problem-solving.
Reduced Stress & Anxiety Scientific evidence suggests time in nature can significantly lower stress hormones, reduce anxiety, and improve mood, creating an ideal environment for therapeutic work.
Increased Grounding: The natural world provides a powerful sense of presence and stability, helping you to feel more grounded and less overwhelmed.
Symbolism & Metaphor: Nature offers rich metaphors for life's processes – growth, change, resilience, and cycles – which can deepen self-understanding and insight.
Physical Movement For those who prefer it, walk-and-talk therapy can help to release tension, stimulate thought, and facilitate emotional processing.
Enhanced Self-Awareness Being present in nature often encourages a deeper connection with one's inner self, feelings, and intuition.
Fees and Services
Initial Phonecall
Free 15-minute call (link to booking page below)
This is an opportunity to make initial contact and see if we are a good fit.First Session
Free
I acknowledge that finding a counsellor, and particularly the right counsellor, can be both expensive and difficult, so I provide our first session free of charge to allow you to get a true feel for whether I'm the right fit for you at this time.Nature-Based Therapy / Walk-and-Talk
£50 per 50-minute session
Outdoor sessions held at local natural sites including Clowes Wood, Earlswood Lakes, Highbury Park, and others. Sessions can involve walking or seated work, tailored to your needs and accessibility.One-to-One Counselling
£50 per 50-minute session
Available online or in-person in South BirminghamRemote Walk-and-Talk (Phone or Video)
£50 per 50-minute session
Take your session into nature wherever you are. We’ll connect by phone or video while you walk, sit, or reflect outdoors.Structured 6-Week Programme
£480 total (6 x 50-minute sessions)
Includes guided mindfulness, nature connection exercises, and psychoeducation — designed to support emotional regulation and reconnection. Ideal for those seeking short-term, focused work with practical tools.
Contact Me
To ask a question, or find out more about how I work, please feel free to get in touch using the form below. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can, usually within 24 hours, and would be glad to hear from you.
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Whether we work together or not, I wish you steadiness, clarity, and connection on your path.