Nature as Therapy: A Path to Mental Well-Being

Nature as Therapy: Lynette Spencer Uses Nature to Help Others Heal

When most people think of counseling, they picture a small office with a couch. However, Lynette Spencer has a different vision. If you’re meeting with her, you’d likely need a coat and hiking boots.

The Power of Nature in Healing

“Nature as Therapy provides all kinds of input from the environment—birds, streams, and water sounds,” Spencer explains. “We become immediately present. We can let go of other things.”

For decades, Spencer has turned to the outdoors to help others heal as a Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist.

“When you’re outside with somebody, you’re in partnership. You’re either cold with them or fighting mosquitos with them. It creates a shared experience that allows information to flow more freely,” she said.

Each step forward is part of the therapeutic practice known as “adventure healing,” where personal growth unfolds among towering trees and winding trails.

Founding Adventure Works of Dekalb County

With accreditation from the Association of Experimental Education, Spencer co-founded Adventure Works of Dekalb County. Through this non-profit and her private practice, she has helped countless families process trauma and grief through nature-based healing.

Benefits of Nature as Therapy

Co-worker Shannon Kaecker has witnessed these transformations firsthand.

“Especially when working with kids who have experienced trauma or have sensory issues, being in a small office space can be overwhelming,” Kaecker said. “But when they’re outside in nature, those constraints disappear.”

“Nature as Therapy engages the whole person—cognitively, emotionally, and physically,” Spencer explains.

The Science Behind Outdoor Healing

Research from the Outdoor Research Collaborative shows that spending time outdoors positively impacts the nervous system, reducing stress, lowering cortisol levels, and increasing serotonin and dopamine production.

“Seeing people in their natural environment offers a completely different perspective than sitting indoors and talking,” Spencer said.

By embracing the rhythm of each step, individuals can untangle emotional knots, build resilience, and find healing in nature.

Expanding Her Impact

Spencer is also serving as a fractional executive director for the Parker Bounds Foundation, helping the organization develop a nature-based adventure program similar to her own practice.

The Lasting Impact of Nature-Based Healing

By embracing the healing power of nature, Lynette Spencer is redefining emotional well-being and guiding individuals toward resilience, growth, and personal transformation—one step at a time. Her innovative approach not only provides an alternative to traditional counseling but also fosters deep connections with nature and oneself. As more people discover the benefits of nature-based healing, her work continues to inspire a shift toward holistic and experiential wellness.

Through her dedication, Spencer is creating lasting change, proving that the outdoors can be a powerful space for self-discovery, recovery, and emotional renewal. Whether guiding a child through trauma, helping families reconnect, or supporting individuals on their journey to inner peace, she reminds us that nature holds profound therapeutic value for all who seek it.

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