Systemic Family Therapy - Indoors Or Outdoors

Significant relationships can hinder or promote our well-being, they can be a source of conflict, concern or unhappiness as well as a source of support, resilience and growth.

There are times in our lives when relationships can become a burden, generating painful feelings, unhappiness and disappointment. This is the time when people may seek external help to find new ways of being with each other, which are more positive, constructive, supportive towards personal growth and positive change.

I am keen to explore how different family members might experience their being part of the family and their views about what is seen as “the problem” and help them find their own solutions, using a strength-based approach.

A systemic approach also takes into consideration how family beliefs and values shape our experiences and relationships; the influence of “context” i.e. how multiple influences including wider socio-economic-political influences, expectations and meanings, associated with our own age, gender, race, culture, sexuality, impact on our life opportunities, positions in families and the wider society.

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My approach

My style of therapy is collaborative, creative and empowering. The way I look at problems, difficulties or concerns is relational as it acknowledges the importance of relationships in our lives, how key significant people in our family of origin or carers shape our current and future relationships. This is why this approach is also called systemic, considering how human systems function and can change, adapt and grow toward a more positive future.

How does it work?

After your first contact, I will offer an initial telephone consultation at a convenient time to explore the presenting concerns and reasons for seeking help. We will also discuss who is coming to the first session e.g. the whole family, the referrer, parents with or without children depending on what arrangements feel most appropriate.

After an initial phone conversation, if we both think that I could offer a suitable service, we will meet for an initial consultation session where your difficulties can be discussed in more depth. We can also discuss in detail the ecotherapy option. If you decide to continue with the therapy sessions, we will make a plan together, identify specific therapeutic goals which can meet your needs and expectations. I will ask clients to commit to at least 8 sessions to see some changes or discuss a way forward if ineffective. I will be keen to hear your feedback during and after each session.

Family therapy sessions will take place in Woodingdean, Brighton. I do not offer family therapy online but only in person, indoors and/or outdoors. Therapy can also be provided online for couples and parents, and in nature if appropriate and agreed after a consultation.

My fees are £80 per hour. You can pay by bank transfer. Other fees can be agreed through negotiation.

My preference is to work outdoors unless there is a reason e.g. a nature related trauma that may affect therapy safety outdoors.

Family Therapy in Nature is offering a more friendly way of exploring difficulties in a safe and creative environment provided by Nature. The eco-family therapy sessions will include a nature-connection activity to help parents and children or teenagers to engage in family talks through Nature i.e. a chance to identify, share their emotions and worries using the language of nature e.g. through a stick, a rock, the sea, a leaf or a tree.

What is Family Ecotherapy?

Family Eco-therapy offers the opportunity for families to benefit from spending time in nature as a source of wellbeing whilst providing a safe space to talk to each other about the fears, the worries and the challenges of family or school life.

There is less focus on talking and more on connecting with nature and each other by engaging in activities e.g. making natural art or decorating sticks and having conversations through natural metaphors e.g. rocks are heavy like worries or overwhelming feelings.

It can include a combination of whole family sessions, sessions with parent/s or one parent and a child/children, or couples sessions. This allows a tailor-made approach to each unique family, including single parent families, same sex families and extended family, foster or adoptive families, or couples and the format is negotiated as part of the overall therapeutic goals and reasons for seeking therapy. It can also change and evolve based on ongoing feedback.

Why therapy in Nature?

It is a more friendly and safe way of having therapy by meeting outdoors. Being in nature helps children, young people and adults to feel more grounded and relaxed in their body, they feel calmer in the mind, and more in touch with their feelings through using all the senses.

Further reading - Richard Louv has written an interesting feature on 'Nature-Deficit Disorder®'you can read it on the children and nature website

What to expect from a family ecotherapy session

After a gentle walk through the woods, there will be a guided family activity in nature followed by a facilitated family talk about sharing emotions, fears and worries with each other. This will reflect the reasons for therapy, struggles and resources in each family member and the therapeutic goals agreed at the beginning. We finish with reflecting on the session and sharing ideas about improving family life and the kind of family you want to be.

When I first heard about Eco family therapy I thought ‘that’s just what we need’. I am not someone who would have sought out therapy but I loved the idea of it being outside. I knew the children (aged 7 and 4) would be up for it. I spent some time talking to Chiara on the phone and via e-mail before the session so she had an idea of our back story. On the day we were due to meet it was wet and miserable but we decided to go ahead. There wasn’t a moan about the weather from either of the children.

It was amazing to be out on a walk with the children and while my son was busy hunting snails, my daughter and I were able to have a really good ‘walk and talk’ where she opened up to me about things that were going on in her head. It was a really enlightening conversation and I was really moved. When I asked at the end of the day ‘did you enjoy that’ there was a resounding ‘yes … it was fun’.

There was something about being out in the fresh air, in nature, that gave us all a feeling of connection with each other and with the world around us. My son really embraced the nature side of the session and made sure that all his snails were safely returned to their natural habitat. For us this part of the session gave us the time and space to stop and talk and be a family.

For me, being able to check in with experienced, well trained and incredibly thoughtful family therapist like Chiara was invaluable. She let us find our space at our pace but also gave us real insights into myself and my children’s behaviour. I learnt so much about how to chat to my children, doing the things they love, in nature.

Contact Chiara to discuss your needs