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On Friday, 4th October, Winchester Youth Counselling (WYC) held a highly successful outdoor training day at the beautiful Pinsent campsite. The day, designed for counsellors and trainees from Options Wellbeing, was led by our Clinical Lead, Jill Guppy, with excellent support from Owen and Katy.

With a focus on ‘Working with Nature and Therapy’ approaches, the training equipped attendees with valuable skills for working with both individuals and groups, using the outdoor environment as a therapeutic space. The morning covered working with individuals, focusing on 1:1 Walk & Talk therapy, and in the afternoon we focused on working with groups.

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The participants engaged in practical exercises that explored the benefits of using natural surroundings to enhance therapeutic work, particularly with young people. The connection between nature and mental health was a central theme throughout the day, highlighting how outdoor settings can foster emotional resilience and promote a sense of calm and reflection. The format followed the same structure as our previous training in April.

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The participants found the combination of theory and hands-on learning to be particularly helpful, allowing them to apply what they had learned in real time. WYC is proud to continue offering this innovative approach to therapy, which encourages counsellors to work beyond the confines of a traditional counselling room, empowering clients to connect more deeply with their surroundings and their inner selves.

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Fortunately, the weather was on our side, with clear skies and sunshine adding to the overall sense of wellbeing throughout the day. The open outdoor space of Pinsent provided an ideal setting, creating the perfect backdrop for the exercises and discussions that took place. Nature was not just a passive backdrop, but an active part of the training, with counsellors learning how to incorporate its healing qualities into their work.

11Feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees praising the combination of expert leadership and practical applications.

“It was so helpful to hear your knowledge – lots of impartial points to absorb and take away before I deliver walk and talk.”

“A beautiful day reminding me of the value of being in nature.”

Winchester Youth Counselling continues to champion innovative approaches to therapy, and this latest outdoor training event reflects our commitment to offering the highest standards of support to our counsellors and, ultimately, the young people we work with. With nature as a powerful ally in mental health, this training day has further strengthened our ability to provide holistic and person-centred care.

We look forward to continuing this important work and exploring more opportunities to integrate nature-based therapy into our services.

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