Nature Based Therapy
in Belfast,
Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationships and more.
Providing Services
over 30+ Years
Introduction
Nature-Based Therapy for Mental Wellbeing
Whilst traditional talking therapy can help many people, using the natural environment as a therapeutic resource offers an alternative to traditional talking therapies. There is wide recognition of the natural world as a positive resource for our mental and physical wellbeing, help calm the nervous system, lower blood pressure and boost positive feelings.
Therapy in Nature allows for time to pause and experience nature, to listen to the natural sounds around you, feel the earth underneath your feet and the soil in your hands. Being in nature offers us the opportunity to be in the present moment where we take time to be still and silent and absorb the raw beauty of their natural surroundings. In this tranquil environment people come to rediscover their natural ability to heal and to experience themselves at their best.
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
Key Information
Connecting with Nature in Therapy
As part of my services, I am offering opportunities for clients to connect more deeply with the healing that nature can provide. Nature may occasionally be integrated into your therapy through encouraging you to engage with nature in a mindful way between sessions, through the use of natural materials in the therapy room, by fostering the benefits of a room with a view and where appropriate to your individual needs, by taking therapy sessions outdoors. This may not suit everyone so only occurs if you are interested in engaging in this process and after discussion.
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
Nature Based Therapy can help with
Nature-based therapy combines the power of nature with therapeutic techniques to foster emotional well-being. By engaging with natural environments, clients can experience a sense of grounding, peace, and clarity that is often difficult to achieve in more traditional therapy settings. Whether it’s through walking in nature, mindfulness practices, or the therapeutic use of natural materials, nature-based therapy provides a unique and enriching approach to healing. It encourages individuals to reconnect with themselves and their surroundings, offering a fresh perspective on managing emotional challenges.
-
Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Nature-based therapy helps reduce feelings of stress and anxiety by grounding individuals in a calming environment, promoting relaxation and reducing the physical symptoms of stress.
-
Improving Emotional Resilience
By connecting with nature, individuals can build emotional resilience, fostering a greater sense of self-awareness and coping skills to navigate life's challenges.
-
Enhancing Mindfulness
Being in nature encourages mindfulness, as it invites clients to be present in the moment, focusing on natural sounds, sensations, and sights, which can alleviate overwhelming thoughts and emotions.
The Process
Nature as a Calm Space for Anxiety Relief
Nature-based therapy is especially effective in reducing the physical and emotional effects of stress and anxiety. Spending time in natural surroundings helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming the body after stress. The sensory experiences of nature, such as the sound of wind rustling through trees or the sight of flowing water, can bring a sense of calm and relaxation. By grounding clients in the present moment and encouraging mindfulness in natural spaces, this therapy encourages a reduction in the overwhelming feelings of worry and stress, including those rooted in past trauma. This can lead to improved mood and a more balanced perspective, providing a much-needed break from the pressures of everyday life.
Strengthening Emotional Resilience Through Nature
Nature-based therapy plays a crucial role in developing emotional resilience by helping individuals process emotions and reactions in a supportive and grounded environment. The natural world has a way of bringing clarity, offering an opportunity to slow down and reflect without the distractions of modern life. As clients engage with nature, they develop better coping strategies to manage emotional difficulties, as they learn to adapt and adjust their responses to challenging circumstances. Whether it's through therapeutic walks, using nature as a metaphor, or engaging with the world around them, clients can build emotional strength and resilience. This therapeutic process encourages self-discovery and a deeper understanding of how one reacts to stress and adversity, fostering more constructive emotional responses in the future.
The Power of Present-Moment Awareness Through Nature
Mindfulness is a core element of nature-based therapy, as it invites individuals to engage with their environment in a present, non-judgmental way. The natural world offers a unique space for clients to practice mindfulness—by tuning into the subtle sensations of the earth beneath their feet, the sounds of birdsong, or the feel of the wind. These simple experiences encourage individuals to focus on the here and now, rather than getting lost in worries or past experiences. With regular mindfulness practices in nature, clients can train their minds to be more present, reducing mental clutter and allowing them to navigate difficult emotions more effectively. This therapeutic approach leads to greater self-awareness, calm, and a more balanced emotional state.
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
Would you like to explore your mental health wellbeing? Reach out today to start your journey towards healing and personal growth with a compassionate, professional counsellor by your side.
Other Services
Other areas of Counselling,
see how I can help
Counselling offers support for a wide range of challenges, providing a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma, therapy helps you understand your experiences and work towards positive change.
It can also address issues like workplace stress, relationship challenges, or personal growth. Whatever you’re facing, counselling provides tools and guidance to build resilience and move forward with clarity and confidence.
- Workplace Anxiety
- Childhood Trauma
- Depression
- Social Anxiety
- Relationship Breakdown
- Grief Support
- Self-Esteem Struggles
- Nature-Based Therapy
- EMDR for Healing
- Body Image & Eating
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
I offer flexible counselling options, including both in-person and remote sessions, allowing you to choose the format that best fits your lifestyle and comfort level.
In-person Sessions
In-person counselling provides a unique opportunity for connection and support in a comfortable environment. Meeting face-to-face allows for deeper emotional exchange and fosters a strong therapeutic relationship. Together, we’ll create a safe space to explore your challenges and work towards healing in a supportive atmosphere.
Remote Options
Remote counselling allows you to connect from home via phone or the video platform Zoom. This flexible option makes it easy to fit sessions into your schedule while ensuring meaningful therapeutic conversations in a convenient setting.
Client reviews
-
Depression
"I lost my relationship and my job and was at an all time low, I had gone to see many counsellors, many of whom didn’t help me. Jean did. She was real with me, she listened, she recognised my pain, I felt she was with me in my pain and wasn’t scared of it. Quite simply I wouldn’t have turned my life around without her. She was only one I could trust and who gave me the care and support I needed."
J, 54
-
Depression
"I was scared going to my first counselling session but Jean was warm, welcoming and professional. She put me at ease and I was able to say things to her that I had never told anyone before. I was able to understand my behaviour and my pain so much more and to gradually change my life. I was able to put old ghosts to rest and enjoy my life again."
B, 39
-
Anxiety
"Going to counselling was so helpful. I was really anxious, couldn’t concentrate, couldn’t settle, was wakening up every night and felt so vulnerable. I felt I had lost everything and didn’t know where to turn. Through being listened to and heard, I came to understand some of why I was behaving the way I was and through Jean’s gentle probing I was able to look at my attitudes and behaviour and see how it was making things worse. I am so grateful that I had the courage to pick up the phone and make an appointment. Money well spent."
A, 41
-
Anxiety
"I have had many problems through out my life and seeing Jean has been a lifesaver for me. I never thought I could change my life around in the way I have. Counselling was painful at times, looking at things that had happened in the past, but Jean supported me and was my ally during this process. She allowed me to express my painful emotions, give me hope that I could survive and I did."
L, 60
-
Body Centred Psychotherapy
"Jean really helped me to feel my emotions, I had cut off from my body and was living in my head. I was just like an automaton, going through the emotions. My relationship had broken down and I was devastated. Jean sat with me and gradually I was able to come into my body and to feel again and eventually connect with friends again and not feel so alone or separate. Jean allowed me to feel safe enough to feel some of my emotions and to feel my fears. I never felt judged, I felt heard and valued and gradually came to believe again that it was safe enough for me to speak what I was feeling and that I could survive what I had experienced. "
K, 53
-
Couple Counselling
"I feel excellent progress has been made in our relationship and wish I had considered the counselling earlier. Although difficult and painful at times, having a neutral and honest assessment of our needs was extremely beneficial "
J, 33
-
Couple Counselling
"Jean is such a good counsellor, she gives an excellent service. We had just got civil partnered and thought it would be the happiest days of our lives, but we were struggling in our relationship. Though counselling we learned how to sort out our differences without hurting each other and we have grown closer together. We would go and see Jean if the need arises but we are able to talk things out now and realise how we wind up each other. We are now practicing how to put what we have learned into practice. Thank you"
M, 36 and D, 38
-
Couple Counselling
"My husband and I still loved each other but couldn’t find a way through. We had stopped communicating with each other and were living separate lives and were pretty much done. For the sake of the children we thought we would go and see a counsellor. We went to see Jean and it really helped us, we got to understand at a deeper level what the problems were, how we had stopped supporting each other and most importantly how to fix. We are still married and the children are thriving."
E, 39 and W, 43
-
Food and Body Image
"I hated my body and went to see Jean to lose weight. I got so much more than that. I was surprised at what I found out. I got to understand why I was eating and how food was an emotional crutch for me and how it was easier to hate my body and myself, rather than deal with some of the hateful and horrible things that had happened to me in my life."
C, 44
-
Food and Body Image
"My life looked perfect on the outside but had crumbled on the inside. I was feeling desperate and just couldn’t cope any more. I was binge eating and hating myself. It was a long and tough journey but with Jean’s knowledge, skills and understanding I have stopped striving for the perfect life and the perfect me. Instead I have opened up to friends and family and am much happier."
S, 34
-
Nature
"Jean has a real gift to connect with people and to understand them. I had tried talking to other therapists and it hadn’t helped. When I spoke to Jean she understood this and suggested that we see each other outside and and be in nature. I found this so healing and less intimidating. It allowed me to feel my breath, to feel my legs, to feel the earth beneath me, I felt less alone. Jean and nature helped soothe me and allowed me to heal"
T, 53
Jean McMinn Therapy
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Belfast Holywood - Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationship and more.
Bangor - Cultra - Newtownards - Carrickfergus - Belfast City Centre - Donaghadee - Lisburn - Dundonald - Groomsport - Larne - Cookstown - Omagh - Gortin - Carrickmore - Pomeroy in Co Tyrone - Derry - Monaghan - Holywood - Comber