Not all recovery happens in a clinic. For some people living with PTSD, healing begins under open skies, beside the ocean, or in the stillness of a forest.
Nature-based therapy, sometimes called eco-therapy, is a gentle, accessible way to support recovery from trauma. In Australia and New Zealand, where nature is all around us, it’s a tool worth exploring.
What Is Nature Therapy?
Nature therapy includes any structured mental health support that takes place outdoors. That might mean guided bushwalks, gardening groups, mindfulness in nature, or simply spending more intentional time outside.
For people living with PTSD, nature can offer a break from constant alertness. It supports grounding, helps with sleep and mood, and gives the nervous system a chance to slow down.
How It’s Being Used
- GPs in parts of Australia now prescribe “green prescriptions” to promote mental wellness through outdoor activity, as detailed in a guide from the RACGP MDPI.
• Bush Adventure Therapy programs that are run by organisations like Human Nature and Adventure Works combine time in nature with therapeutic support to help trauma survivors reconnect with their bodies and emotions. - Local initiatives like “Out Bush On Country” in Tasmania use culturally informed outdoor programs to support connection, confidence, and healing.
You don’t need to be an outdoors person to benefit. Even small doses of nature like ten minutes under a tree, a walk around the block, or sitting in a garden can be part of your healing practice.
Our post on Healing Through Creativity complements these approaches by offering another non-verbal pathway to processing trauma.
Make Space to Breathe
If traditional therapy hasn’t felt quite right, nature might offer something different. A quiet place to start, without pressure or expectation. A space to reconnect with yourself on your own terms.
Want to explore more options for PTSD recovery? Head to our Getting Help page for support and next steps.
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