The search for meaning, purpose and vitality is an ongoing journey that continues throughout all stages of your life. During times of challenge, many turn to one-on-one counselling to help find connection and clarity. At the same time, some others can also uncover identification and connectivity through doing yoga in the park or painting on canvas.
“Talking about your problems is challenging for many people, but being out in nature or exploring creative art forms, these are human behaviours that everyone can benefit from,” says Elise Girardin, founder and executive director of The Woods Arts & Wellness.
Located next to the forests of North Vancouver, The Woods Arts & Wellness is dedicated to increasing personal and community wellbeing through engagement with nature, the arts and movement. Through experienced-based forms of therapy, people can try a new approach to mental health support by getting in sync with the outdoors and tapping into their creative side.
The team at The Woods recognizes that in many cultures in other parts of the world, these seemingly alternative forms of therapy are the first and foremost natural pathways to the practice of wellness.
“Humanity has always turned to both the arts and nature for reflection, comfort, understanding, clarity and peace – the very reasons people seek out therapy,” Girardin says.
The Woods is the only organization on the North Shore with a team of specialized registered clinical counsellors (RCCs) who are all trained and certified in arts, nature-based and body-based treatments. In addition to one-on-one counselling sessions, The Woods offers group sessions and programs.
“We’re passionate about our groups because of the possibility of connecting with others and building community health,” says Girardin.
Healing in the outdoors with nature-based therapy
Rooted in the ecopsychology of the relationship between humans and the natural world, nature-based therapy incorporates the outside world as a key component of the therapeutic process.
“Our bodies are highly sensitive to the natural environment and respond positively to nature, so it makes sense to nurture this intentionally when addressing mental health,” says Girardin.
Research finds that being in nature results in many benefits to one’s mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, such as increased cognitive functions, decreased stress, enhanced mood, improved immune function and deepened connection with others.
Creative engagement with the natural world is incorporated into The Woods’ therapy practices to enhance strengths, support growth and address struggles. In their weekly group therapy drop-in for addressing stress and anxiety, participants convene at Mosquito Creek Park to reset and reflect by focusing on the present moment and connecting with both the forest and one another. After one hour in the woods, the group will come back to reality feeling more grounded, calm, connected and content.
“We also recognize that not everyone is comfortable in nature, or only in particular settings. So, when working 1:1 with a therapist, determining comfort levels is where we start, always following the client’s needs and goals,” says Girardin. “This may include heading straight outdoors to explore, or working online to reflect on one’s relationship with the natural world.”
Creating connection through art-based therapies
Various evidence demonstrates the psychological benefits of engagement in art therapy, including positive changes in mood, increased states of relaxation, decreased disruptive behaviours and support in the treatment of anxiety, grief and trauma.
“Creativity requires bold action, risk taking and a tolerance for ambiguity, and within the therapeutic arts, this is done in an environment of low stakes and acceptance,” says Girardin.
“This translates to an ability to face life’s challenges in the same way – to see a different perspective, to act despite fear and to tolerate uncertainty.”
The Woods also offers expressive arts therapy, where all art disciplines are incorporated into one session, allowing clients to interact with visual arts, music, movement, theatre arts, writing and bibliotherapy, and explore what form best suits their therapeutic purpose.
The Woods also runs an ongoing 8-week expressive arts group called “Recovery from Trauma” Presented in partnership with Canadian Mental Health Association of North and West Vancouver, the group supports those healing from traumatic experiences.
“As trauma can impact both language and memory, working creatively to address experiences that are being felt in the body, and may be too difficult to put into words, makes an expressive arts approach to treatment especially effective,” Girardin says.
Sliding scale counselling options
Dedicated to providing open access to mental health support to anyone who seeks it, regardless of age, ability, background or financial situation, The Woods provides a number of opportunities for clients to access their therapeutic services.
The Woods’ income-based counselling program is available on a sliding scale for individuals who do not have extended health care coverage and have a total annual household income below $100,000. For instance, individuals can pay 0.1% of their annual income for 12 sessions with an RCC, or work with a student intern at significantly reduced rates.
To further increase accessibility to the general public, The Woods also offers low-cost drop-in group programs, which are open to the community and cover nature-based, visual arts, movement, yoga and music therapies. These drop-ins, which accommodate groups of 6-8 participants, can be attended as a one-time experience or as a weekly commitment.
Book your first 1-on-1 appointment or group program now at thewoods.org.
