Outdoor Exposure-Based Therapy
- Maz Miller
- Dec 29, 2025
- 2 min read
What Is Outdoor Exposure-Based Therapy?
Outdoor exposure-based therapy is a therapeutic approach that combines evidence-based exposure techniques with outdoor environments such as parks, neighbourhoods, trails, or open public spaces.
Rather than completing exposure exercises solely in a clinic or through imagination, clients are supported to gradually face feared situations in real-world outdoor settings, at a pace that prioritises safety, consent, and nervous system regulation.
This approach is commonly used alongside established psychological frameworks, particularly for anxiety-related concerns.
How Exposure Works in Therapy
Exposure-based approaches are grounded in well-established psychological principles. The goal is not to “push through” fear, but to help the nervous system learn—through experience—that feared situations can be tolerated and navigated safely.
Outdoor exposure may involve:
approaching avoided places gradually
staying present with discomfort until it naturally settles
reducing reliance on safety behaviours
learning that anxiety rises and falls on its own
When this work takes place outdoors, it can feel more practical, embodied, and relevant to daily life.
Why Take Exposure Work Outdoors?
Outdoor settings offer unique advantages when working with exposure:
Real-world relevance – practice happens where challenges actually occur
Increased sense of space – less intensity than enclosed therapy rooms
Natural movement – walking can help regulate arousal
Flexible pacing – sessions can pause, redirect, or slow down as needed
Reduced avoidance reinforcement – skills transfer more easily to daily life
For some people, outdoor exposure feels more achievable than traditional in-office exercises.
Who Might Benefit from Outdoor Exposure-Based Therapy?
This approach may be helpful for people experiencing:
social anxiety or fear of public spaces
panic symptoms
agoraphobia or avoidance patterns
health anxiety related to leaving home
specific phobias (depending on severity and suitability)
Not all exposure work is appropriate for outdoor delivery, and suitability is always assessed by the practitioner.
A Trauma-Sensitive Approach to Exposure
Modern exposure-based therapy is not about flooding or forcing fear.
When integrated thoughtfully, outdoor exposure work emphasises:
choice and collaboration
clear consent at every step
gradual progression
attention to body cues and regulation
flexibility rather than rigid hierarchies
Many practitioners integrate exposure with mindfulness, somatic awareness, or values-based approaches to ensure the work remains supportive and ethical.
How Outdoor Exposure May Be Integrated Into Therapy
Depending on the practitioner, outdoor exposure-based therapy may include:
walking sessions near avoided locations
brief exposure exercises during outdoor movement
between-session practice supported by in-session planning
reflection during or after exposure experiences
Some therapists offer this approach in-person outdoors, while others may integrate exposure planning with remote sessions.
Finding a Therapist Who Offers Outdoor Exposure-Based Therapy
Not all therapists offer exposure work in outdoor settings, and approaches can vary widely.
Our directory helps you:
explore practitioners who integrate outdoor and movement-based approaches
understand how exposure may be used alongside other therapies
find options that align with your comfort level and goals
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