One-to-One & Bespoke Therapy Groups
for young people and adults

At the Wilderness Foundation, we provide specialist one-to-one counselling and tailored therapy groups for schools, colleges, and community organisations. Through compassionate, personalised support, our aim is to help each client build stronger mental health, healthier relationships, increased resilience, and renewed confidence in themselves and the world around them.

Our 121 referrals for funded places are currently on hold and will resume once funding is available. We are still accepting self-funded places via our online referral form.

Our therapy supports children, young people
& adults with complex emotional needs.

These include challenges linked to:
– School, college, or employment
– Family and peer relationships
– Anxiety, depression, and addictions
– Gender identity challenges
– Past or ongoing trauma
– Social isolation
– Disengagement from daily life

A Team You Can Trust

Our growing team of accredited therapists and counsellors specialise in nature-based therapeutic work – using the outdoors as a powerful tool to support emotional wellbeing. For individuals unable to travel, we also offer secure online therapy sessions.

Thanks to funding from The National Lottery, (and others) we currently provide a limited number of free counselling sessions for vulnerable individuals across Essex.

Looking For Support?

  • Need urgent 1–2–1 counselling?
  • Live outside Essex?
  • Interested in commissioning a therapeutic group?

We offer self-funded sessions for individuals and small groups.
Contact us for a tailored quote.

“The outdoor and relaxed nature of my son’s 1-2-1 counselling sessions has been fantastic. After years of failed interventions, he finally felt safe and confident. Lighting fires and talking in nature gave him a way to connect. This support has been invaluable. Thank you.“

Parent of 121 client

“Counselling has helped me so much. My therapist listened with empathy and helped me share things I’ve held for years. The natural surroundings helped me relax and begin to heal. Thank you for supporting my journey forward.“

 

121 client

“My little boy can be very direct – if he doesn’t like you, he won’t talk! But his counsellor was amazing. He loved going every Friday, whether it was spending time in the woods or making clay sculptures. You’ve supported both him and me. You are lifesavers.“

Parent of 121 client
100%

participants reported improvements in:
Social Isolation
Emotional Distress
Relationship Difficulties
Challenging Behaviours

56%

adults reported improvements in:
Aggressive Behaviours
Family Conflict

66%

all participants reported overall better mental health

How Our Sessions Work

Our one-to-one and small-group therapy programmes are designed for people of all ages who may not have responded well to conventional interventions.

Working outdoors with an experienced therapist helps clients enter a calmer, less defensive state, making it easier to explore emotions, set goals, and build new coping strategies.

We also offer online therapy for those who cannot attend in person.

Specialist Therapeutic Approaches

Our team includes therapists trained in:
– Art psychotherapy
– Dance & movement psychotherapy
– Play therapy
– Autism-specialist interventions
– And other evidence-based approaches

Each referral is carefully matched to a therapist whose expertise aligns with the client’s needs.

Where Sessions Take Place

Most sessions take place at our beautiful woodland sites in Chelmsford, with additional Essex locations available on request.

Our associate therapists may also be able to meet you in local outdoor spaces or online.

Session Structure

  • Sessions last 1 hour
  • Usually one session per week
  • Duration: typically 6-10 weeks
  • Focus: building trust, confidence, emotional expression, and practical coping tools

Outdoor Activities may include:

  • Bushcraft & fire-lighting
  • Whittling & campfire cooking
  • Nature photography
  • Wildlife tracking
  • Wild games & exploration
  • Hiking, orienteering & camping skills
  • Gardening & nature-based mindfulness
  • Guided reflection & therapeutic conversation

These activities help clients relax, open up, and develop resilience, self-esteem, communication skills, and emotional literacy.

Typical Outcomes:

  • Improved emotional wellbeing
  • Better communication and expression
  • Increased self-esteem
  • Tools to manage stress and distress
  • Greater resilience for future challenges
  • Stronger engagement in education or employment
  • Deeper connection to nature as a wellbeing resource
  • Improved mood and hopefulness
  • Improved confidence

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Nature-based sessions take place outdoors, often at our Chatham Green site, using activity, movement, and the natural environment alongside therapeutic dialogue. Traditional indoor counselling takes place in a room, seated face-to-face.

A:  Activities vary by age and preference and may include bushcraft, wide games, mindfulness, wildlife tracking, campfire cooking, structured discussions, and more.

A:  No. Self-referrals are welcome via our online referral form.

A:  Anyone living in Essex who is not currently receiving other one-to-one therapy. Free places depend on funding availability.

A:  Typically 6-10 sessions, 1 hour per week.

A:  Between 09:30-17:00, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

A:  Clients usually benefit most when attending alone, but we consider joint attendance on a case-by-case basis.

A: We may offer sessions at alternative outdoor locations, via phone, or online.

A:  You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details. Outdoor clothing suitable for the weather is required.

A:  A summary report is available within 10 working days after the final session. Interim updates are available on request.

A:  Typically 4-10 weeks, depending on demand and your availability.

A:  You can continue one-to-one support on a self-funded basis.

If you would like to refer someone, or self-refer to our one-to-one therapy service then please complete our online referral form. The team will then contact you after reviewing this form to discuss the next steps.


For more information, please call 0300 123 3073