1-1 Counselling Outdoors with Amy

&

‘Under the Sky’ an Outdoor Ecotherapy Group

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOW

Under the Sky

Outdoor Ecotherapy Group for Growth and Wellbeing.

(funded for 15-25 year olds.)

“The fundamental process for ecotherapy and therapeutic somatic practices in nature is the reconnection to nature as a reconnection to self.”

Join us for our Outdoor Ecotherapy Group, a transformative journey where nature guides and supports your path to growth and well-being.

Join us for our Outdoor Ecotherapy Group, a transformative journey where nature guides and supports your path to growth and well-being.

Thanks to the generous support of Foundation North and our collaborative partnership with Adventure Works and Amy Benjamin – The Outdoor Counsellor, we’re able to offer this group fully funded or with a koha of $5–$20 per week.

This is a closed group designed to foster trust and continuity, so full participation for all 6 weeks is encouraged.If you’re unable to join on these dates or if you’re outside the age range, you can still register and let us know your availability for future groups.

Register your interest now by completing the short survey below.

Step into a space where nature helps you heal, grow, and rediscover yourself. We look forward to walking alongside you on this journey.

Amy & Akari

Group Schedule

The group will meet on Tuesdays, starting at 9:00 am and finishing between 11:00 am and 11:30 am.

  • Week 1: Tuesday, March 4, 2025

  • Week 2: Tuesday, March 11, 2025

  • Week 3: Tuesday, March 18, 2025

  • Week 4: Reflective Break Week

  • Week 5: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

  • Week 6: Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Location: Milford Beach & Lake Pupuke
Meeting point: 2B Dodson Avenue, Milford.

Weather and Equipment

Our ecotherapy group will try and continue to walk and explore outdoors, rain or shine, so it’s important to come prepared. Here’s what you’ll need for the sessions:

  • Waterproof rain jacket to stay dry in case of rain.

  • Backpack to carry essentials such as a water bottle, your journal, and any other supplies you may need.

  • Suitable walking shoes that are comfortable for walking on varied terrain, with the option to remove them when walking along the beach or grassy areas

What to Expect

Ecotherapy is a therapeutic practice that involves outdoor activities and nature-based interventions to promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It recognises the healing power of nature and aims to help individuals reconnect with the natural world to reduce stress, improve mood, and foster personal growth. The core process of ecotherapy and therapeutic somatic practices in nature is the reconnection to nature as a means of reconnecting to oneself.

Our group offers a safe and nurturing space to explore the outdoors through mindful walks, nature-based activities, and somatic nervous system regulation exercises. By combining the intrinsic healing power of nature with mindfulness, movement, and group support, we aim to help you feel more grounded, present, and connected to both yourself and the world around you.

  • Mindful walks to help you reconnect with your body and nature.
    (What are you drawn to touch, smell, or observe? With each step, allow yourself to connect.)

  • Sound meditation: Pause, close your eyes, and listen to all the sounds around you: the rustling leaves, birds calling, and the gentle breeze. Notice the impact that these sounds have on your body, breath, and sense of the present moment.

  • Nature breathing: Inhale deeply, noticing the scents around you in the natural world. Be aware that as you inhale and exhale, you are exchanging breaths with the trees and plants.

  • Nature-based activities designed to nurture mindfulness, creativity, and emotional well-being.

  • Somatic movement exercises to release tension, boost self-awareness, and support emotional healing.

  • Personal journaling to track your reflections and growth over the six weeks.

Your feedback makes a difference

There is a growing body of evidence worldwide highlighting the benefits of regular exposure to outdoor environments on both the mind and body. Studies show that spending time in nature can reduce stress, lower anxiety, improve mood, boost immunity, enhance cognitive function, lower blood pressure, and promote better sleep.

Take a moment to reflect on your own outdoor experiences—how often do you spend time outside, and how do you feel before and after?

Our ecotherapy group encourages reflection, both during our sessions and in your personal time outdoors. We aim to help you reconnect with nature and explore how spending time outdoors contributes to your well-being. Whether it’s walking through trees, listening to birds, or breathing in fresh air, we’ll reflect on how these experiences quiet the mind, shift focus from anxious thoughts, and foster a sense of peace and grounding. Together, we’ll explore how these moments of connection contribute to your overall health and well-being, while shaping the future design of the group for both you and future participants.

To help us evaluate and continually improve the group, we invite you to share your experiences through evaluation questionnaires at week 1, week 4, week 6, and one month after the group concludes. Verbal feedback before, during, and after sessions is also encouraged, as your insights will help shape the group’s design. The findings will be shared with you and others to support future funding efforts and ensure our facilitation and structure are as effective as possible.

Please forward this registration information to anyone who may be interested in joining the group. If you have any questions before registering, or would prefer to schedule a 1:1 Outdoor Counselling/Ecotherapy session, contact Amy Benjamin via email at counselloramy@outlook.com. Amy has funding available for free counselling sessions for individuals aged 16–25.

Meet Amy

Kia ora, I’m Amy, also known as The Outdoor Counsellor. I’m a holistic counsellor with a passion for Ecotherapy and nature-based practices to support mental, emotional, and physical well-being. My journey began with walk and talk outdoor counselling, which led me to study Ecotherapy, where I met Akari. Together, we co-designed the Under the Sky Ecotherapy program to engage nature’s intrinsic capacity to heal and create a space where individuals can experience a sense of community within a group. Through this program, participants will learn therapeutic practices that encourage reconnecting with nature as a means of reconnecting with oneself.

Outdoor experiences have the power to transform our psychological health and well-being, while also encouraging us to live sustainably. Through feedback and evaluation from group members, we will adapt our approach for future groups, continually learning how to best facilitate and design transformational outdoor experiences.

Qualifications & Experience:

  • Bachelor of Health Science in Counselling, AUT (2014)

  • Full member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC)

  • Owner of a private counselling practice, supporting clients referred through organisations such as Youthline, The Grief Centre, Clearhead EAP Service, and working as a Counsellor at AUT

  • Registered ACC Counsellor for Treatment and Group Based Therapy and will be involved in Trauma-Sensitive Yoga groups in 2025

When I’m not working, you’ll find me off on adventure with my family—whether it’s bush walks, swimming at the beach, or listening to birds in my garden. I’ve found that my own mental and physical health thrives on daily doses of nature.

Let’s connect and explore together!

Your Ecotherapy Facilitators

Meet Akari 

Kia ora and Konnichiwa,

I’m originally from Japan and have been fortunate to call Aotearoa home for the past 13 years. In my spare time, I love immersing myself in the outdoors—whether it’s sitting quietly and listening to birdsong, bushwalking, cycling, rock climbing, or skiing!

I’m excited to meet you and embark on this journey together as part of our ecotherapy programme. I deeply value the time and space spent in and with nature, as well as the meaningful relationships and space we hope to build within our group.

For the past 10 years, I’ve been part of AdventureWorks, working as an outdoor facilitator, instructor, and programme manager. Safety is always my priority on our programmes—whether it’s physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual.

Qualifications & Experience:

  • Diploma in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership at AUT in 2014

  • Bachelor of Sport and Recreation (Outdoor Education Major) at AUT in 2016

  • Various ourdoor instructing qualifications, including the NZ Certificate in Bush (Level 5) and outdoor first aid qualification

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice in Health (Adventure Therapy) at Otago Polytechnic in 2021 

  • Somatic Ecotherapy Training in 2023

  • Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy at AUT in 2023

Lets move outside of the four walls of the office and into nature. Book a 1-1 session with Amy at these locations.

  • Birkenhead Memorial Park Walk

    Join me for a guide walk through Birkenhead Memorial Park.

    Book your appointment

  • Milford - Lake Pupuke & Milford Beach

    Join me for a guide walk around Lake Pupuke and Milford beach.

    Book your appointment