Bush Adventure Therapy: Using Nature and Challenge to Support Mental Health

Bush Adventure Therapy is a form of outdoor, nature-based therapy that combines psychological support with purposeful activities in natural bush or wilderness environments.

It uses movement, mild challenge, and connection to the natural world to support emotional regulation, confidence, and personal growth.

Rather than taking place in a traditional therapy room, bush adventure therapy may involve walking tracks, bushland settings, outdoor tasks, or guided experiences designed to gently stretch a person’s comfort zone in a safe and supported way.

What Is Bush Adventure Therapy?

Bush Adventure Therapy draws from established psychological frameworks while using nature and structured outdoor experiences as the therapeutic setting.

Sessions may include:

• walking or hiking in bushland

• navigating outdoor environments

• engaging in problem-solving or reflective activities

• using natural elements to explore emotions, patterns, and strengths

The focus is not on extreme adventure or physical performance, but on meaningful engagement with the environment as a way to support psychological insight and change.

How Bush Adventure Therapy Supports Mental Health

Outdoor environments offer natural opportunities for reflection, grounding, and regulation.

When combined with therapeutic guidance, bush-based experiences can support mental health by:

• encouraging present-moment awareness

• building confidence through manageable challenges

• supporting emotional regulation through movement

• reducing over-reliance on verbal processing alone

• helping people reconnect with a sense of capability and agency

The pace and intensity are tailored to the individual, with safety and consent always prioritised.

Who Might Benefit From Bush Adventure Therapy?

Bush Adventure Therapy may suit people who:

• feel stuck or disconnected in traditional therapy settings

• benefit from learning through experience rather than conversation alone

• enjoy being outdoors or in natural environments

• want to build confidence, resilience, or self-trust

• find movement helpful for processing thoughts and emotions

It can be adapted for different ages, abilities, and therapeutic goals.

Therapeutic Approaches Used in Bush Adventure Therapy

Practitioners offering Bush Adventure Therapy often integrate it with evidence-based approaches such as:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• trauma-informed practice

• mindfulness and somatic approaches

• strengths-based and experiential therapies

The outdoor setting complements these frameworks rather than replacing them.

Safety and Structure in Bush Adventure Therapy

Bush Adventure Therapy is structured and intentional, not unplanned or risky. Qualified practitioners assess:

• physical safety and environmental conditions

• emotional readiness and consent

• appropriate levels of challenge

• accessibility and individual needs

Sessions are designed to feel supportive, not overwhelming.

Finding a Bush Adventure Therapy Practitioner

Not all therapists offer bush-based or adventure-informed work. Practitioners listed in this directory may integrate Bush Adventure Therapy alongside other movement- and nature-based approaches.

You can explore practitioner profiles to learn:

• how they work outdoors

• what settings they use

• whether bush-based sessions are suitable for you

👉 Find a therapist offering Bush Adventure Therapy

A Note on Fit

Bush Adventure Therapy is not about pushing limits or forcing discomfort. The goal is to create space for reflection, learning, and growth—supported by both the therapist and the natural environment.