MICROSOFT

CAPO Newsletter
Counselling and Psychotherapy Outdoors
Special points of interest:
Next CAPO meeting coming up in Spring 2011. If you would like to join CAPO please go to www.outdoortherapy .org.uk where you will find further information and membership details. Please email future newsletter contributions to Lana Jackson at Jacksonpsychology@hotmail. co.uk

Edition 4

WINTER 2010

Welcome to our 4th edition.

I hope you have had a wonderful Winter Solstice and enjoyed the Christmas celebrations. This fourth edition of the newsletter brings you a variety of reflections and discussion Editor: Lana Jackson points following on from the CAPO weekend in October this year. The weekend was held at the beautiful Powdermill Woods, near Battle, and was an amazing opportunity to come together to share our experience and our passion for working with nature and bringing our therapeutic practice into the outdoors. As the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings ensued in the far distance, Martin Jordan led us through a social dreaming matrix, and Caroline Frizzell facilitated a movement workshop amongst the woodland elements. The group spent time: discussing CAPO business (see page 7); reflecting alone in the woods; making food together and walking in the Sussex countryside. As 2011 draws near there is, for me, excitement and anticipation for what the future will bring. Like a small seed having been planted, I hope that CAPO continues to be nurtured, to grow strong, and bring us many more opportunities to share good practice and creativity. I hope you enjoy the newsletter, and want to wish you a warm and joyous New Year. Lana Jackson Lana is a qualified Clinical Psychologist working with children, young people and families in Brighton, UK.

Inside this issue:

Welcome to our 1 4th Edition Poetry & Quotes 1

Poetry and Quotes

Look! the massy trunks are cased in the pure crystal; each light spray, Nodding and tinkling in the breath of heaven, Is studded with its trembling water-drops, That glimmer with an amethystine light. - William Cullen Bryant "Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle ... a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream." - Barbara Winkler

Reflections on 2 our CAPO weekend: Oct 2010 News & Events 6

CAPO Business

Profile Page

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CAPO Newsletter

Reflections on the CAPO weekend at Powdermill Woods: October 2010 CAPO In The Woods
Caroline Frizzell
Camp fire at Powdermill Woods

The welcoming pink -cheeked smiles of warm ruddy faces glowed in the yellow hue of the morning light

Fallen pine cones

The train from London to Battle rolled through the early morning October mist, out of the grey concrete Metropolis into open fields. A young man boarded the train and carefully rested a medieval shield, bow and arrow on the neighbouring seat before devouring his fastfood breakfast. I found myself caught momentarily in the paradox between, on the one hand, the raw and bloody notion of slow war, fought on the battle field, body to body, arrow to shield and, on the other hand, the seductive salty aroma of a fat-filled, fast-food fantasy, alluring us into an instant disconnection from the reality of the product. At Battle station I made my way along the busy road, leaping up the kerb-side bank to avoid oncoming cars, brushing against hedgerow of ivy, cobnuts nettles and brambles, at times slipping on the mud and catching hold of a branch so as not to tumble. I passed two bearded Norman soldiers in sack-cloth clothes and laced leather boots, who were trying to bump-start their car along Powder Mill Lane. Preparations for a re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings were underway as I wended my way to the CAPO encampment. Unsure as to where to turn off, I sent a text into the ether and Martin appeared, to lead me off the road, past the wood-shed and along a winding path, which wove through elegant silver birch and lithe beech. The trees shed their leaves like confetti, in response to gentle gusts of wind. The group was cradled in a cosy dell, sitting around the camp-fire, ready to begin the day. The welcoming pink-cheeked smiles of warm, ruddy faces glowed in the yellow hue of the morning light. A cup of tea and introductions led us into a realm of shared dreams, which drifted upwards in the spiralling smoke to meet the descending leaves swaying gently to the ground. A kaleidoscope of images reached out of the textured air; ... a wellington boot here, ... a waterfall there; .....odd shoes ........... a broken down car; ...... towering, urban buildings ..................birds flying into the oncoming wind. Meanwhile the battle of Hastings ensued in the

adjacent fields, mingling with images from the dream world; fighting and struggling, attacking and defending; holding on and letting go. Surrender and resignation in the face of an allpowerful current. Long-since-dead phantoms rampaged through the woods. The distant roar of the crowd flew overhead on the wings of a crow, as Harold took his men into battle. Fantasy met reality and past met future in the embers of the fire, as we drifted through a waking dream in our cosy dell. Harold took his last breath on the battlefield. A broken down car left all aboard stranded as the dream matrix closed. Dense smoke billowed from the campfire, causing the dreamers to shift, sway and adjust their posture in a dance of negotiation.

The drumming of sticks, slapping of thighs and stamping of feet set our stories free into the swirling smoke
We left the dell to gather at a junction where four paths meet. In that place, we allowed our corporeal intelligence to lead us into conversation with the woods. Bodies were tossed leaping and turning in the wind. They were drawn into solitude and seclusion deep in the undergrowth. They were pressed against treetrunks to discover their own solidity. They wandered aimlessly in search of the unknown and discovered death in the gravitational pull of relentless time. A green man appeared, adorned with twigs, leaves and pine cones, drawing the disparate group into a dance of rhythmic connection. The drumming of sticks, slapping of thighs and stamping of feet set our stories free into the swirling smoke, which led us back to the campfire to share the poetry of our humanity. And now, as the last frost bitten leaves shiver to the frozen ground and the darkness of midwinter closes in, the dreams and dances linger in the silent mist and ride on single snowflakes. They drift through the dormant branches of the birch and the beech and lie waiting in the pine-cones scattered on the ground.

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I am thrilled by low whickering calls that suggest some playful, foraging badgers close by secretive creatures dear to my heart. I long to be able to see them, but have to content myself with simply knowing they are there getting on with their lives as have many of their ancestors for many years in these woods. Im reminded that I am a visitor; a guest here. In the morning I wake to the chirruping of a cricket, which sounds as though it is in the tent. Later there is a commotion of blackbirds agitatedly calling their alarm. I wonder what is bothering them, and then hear an owl again. Now that it is light I imagine that the owls have sought a good roosting spot, but are being mobbed and given no peace to rest by the local blackbirds. When I entered the woods I wanted to immerse myself there; to feel connected. I was seeking something from the experience. I arrived with certain expectations as well as a measure of uncertainty. So what have I discovered about the wood and myself? I am reassured to more closely observe and experience the life of the wood and know that such places continue with their intricately connected web of lives. In my responses to this environment I see reflected the relational dynamics arising out of my own personal history. This is part of the therapeutic potential of working with ourselves and our clients in the natural outdoors. More generally I am reminded of the painful dilemma of the human species as largely divorced from our evolutionary roots. However much we may value the rest of the natural world around us, apart from a few remaining tribes, we can only live amongst nature when also insulated by layers of technology. There is the psychological insulation too. We cannot turn back the evolutionary clock, but opportunities to remember our once closer connection and continued dependence on the rest of nature, perhaps allows our psychological and emotional evolution to catch up and bring us to a better balance.

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A Temporary Guest
Julie Walker
It is my first time in these woods. Exploring the camp area and wondering where to pitch my tent, I am drawn to a beech tree on the edge of the clearing. Beech is a tree species Ive been particularly fond of since childhood. I enjoy it in every season from the stark beauty of the bare bole in winter, the new lime green leaves with silky edges unfurling in spring, through to the deep green canopy of summer and glorious gold of autumn. The idea of sleeping beneath the beechs canopy is rather appealing. My desire (my fantasy?) is of being somehow held within the trees orb, between roots and spreading branches. I approach the tree, lay my hand up against its smooth grey trunk and look up into the branches. It feels appropriate; a mark of respect to ask the trees permission and I breathe: Is it OK? The ground beneath the tree is covered in an abundant crop of beechmasts. Not having any desire to lie on these very knobbly fruits, I sweep these to the side. As I clear an area for my tent I unintentionally damage some delicate amethyst coloured fungi and feel a little guilty. That first night I am for a while periodically startled by a brushing sound on the outside of the tent. When I realise that the sound is caused by some early leaf-fall from the tree, I relax a bit and gradually can accustom myself to this part of my new environment. Enclosed within a tent as well as a cloak of darkness, night-time experience brings a new reliance on the sense of hearing to interpret the surroundings. Traffic noises and rowdy singing are an unwanted intrusion and reminder of the closeness of the human world. A cause for delight is the sound of tawny owls calling. Had I been a field mouse or vole, the owl call would have been a far greater disturbance to my peace of mind than the human sounds were to me. Later

Beech tree in Autumn

I am reminded of the painful dilemma of the human species as largely divorced from our evolutionary roots.

Fungi at Powdermill Woods

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CAPO Newsletter

Campfire reflections: compiled by Martin Jordan

Below are excerpts from the CAPO meeting on Sunday 10th October 2010 The group were asked to reflect on practice in the outdoors. Here are some of the discussions under themes for the work. There was some discussion around taping future meetings and posting this up on web. However some of us felt that due to client confidentiality this was problematic . So comments below have been edited in relation to any client material etc. The initials at the beginning refer to the person speaking. Introductory remarks and comments about the group: M: Any reflections on the weekend then anybody? (silence) Its very odd you put the microphone in front of anybody and it does change things There is some general banter and laughing re this. B. Capturing and distilling the elements V. For me what I have found really enriching and really refreshing is being amongst professionals from different disciplines, and yet us all being inspired by each others work because of the overarching context of our relationship to nature. Probably we practice in quite different ways but theres a fundamental connection in that we care about the setting and I a more holistic approach to working with the person. I think for me thats been really good to take away. I am very aware that as an art therapist I work a lot with visual imagery and environment is really important. So when kids or adults come into a room to make stuff I am very aware of how they use the space, so I think about where they are in relation to me and in relation to the room so to use a real living organism, nature, as environment or something is really interesting to think about how they can relate to that space and how that space is reciprocal. Because nature holds and interacts and more than perhaps a room does. M. yeah I do think thats interesting the commonalities between us, its a bit like when I said something to my colleagues at work and in other contexts they would say things generally like why would you want to go outside? Like, why would you want to go out into the rain? They had no real concept, they had no real idea of nature as a therapeutic space in the broad sense, they had no real sense of contact with it. V. But it brings up lots of different materials, you know it brings up rhythms, it brings up seasonal elements, it brings up clay or sand or water there are natural things you can build with. There are also the sounds of the leaves and trees, there are lots of other sensations you can work with that become or can become part of the process. And can act as stimulants they can provoke themes to work with or they can just hold it in a way, that you just would do, in a way thats no verbal, you could work with those in your practice indoors but you wouldnt have to verbalise it. M. its interesting as an art therapist you have some of that stuff already dont you? I think that idea of non verbal symbolic communication is very much part of ehm you know theres elements I touched upon in my dramatherapy training its really foregrounded as being very important its a very different way of contacting, so you already have a kind of affinity to that idea. V. you know just as we are talking I can hear the leaves rustling and stuff and that is another layer another dimension to the experience of being with another person and that is a very powerful and evocative aspect I think that you can use. There was some discussion about the group space that is set up outdoors and why this might have a more powerful effect: G. I think its about the different level of consciousness, you know we run on autopilot and anything connecting with nature connecting with people just changes, just retunes, that. V. But for me there is something really powerful about that ability to share in a natural setting. It often creates huge generosity in people, so if you have a camp fire it often brings out that, not always sometimes it can bring other stuff out thats not so generous. But there is often a real potential to open up playfulness, creativity, sharing and expansiveness, which doesnt always happen in groups in the indoors. We can key into something that is more relaxing. The importance of the issue of boundaries and frameworks in practice for CAPO members: B. Whats most immediate to me is Vanessa point, that she made last night and also now, that we come from different perspective and all have different experiences of being outside either professionally or for leisure and we can all bring those experiences here and yet we are held together by that core wanting to keep that question of how can we keep this boundaried and frameworked and therapeutic even though our own experiences and qualifications and professions allow us to stretch what goes on outside quite far and I find that is why the space that is created over a weekend like this very important Discussion of space and issues of responsibility and how this affects the transference dynamics in working outdoors: H. You would relate to the space in a very different way V. But its that thing about sharing I think something about here is an opportunity for everyone here to share freely and you dont always get that at professional events. You know that its a CPD Continued on page 5...

CAPO members reflect on the weekend around the camp fire

what I have found really enriching and really refreshing is being amongst professionals from different disciplines, and yet us all being inspired by each others work because of the overarching context of our relationship to nature.

The roundhouse at Powdermill Woods

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Continued...
...event and there is a huge fee something very collective the word democratic H. for me that parallels the work V. there is a reduction of hierarchy it comes through in the basic things and perhaps because we are all equal and take responsibility for ourselves we havent had to say that B. Its like a natural shared responsibility. If its all heaped on the so called organiser or facilitator they become so responsible they almost become responsible for whether it rains or not. Which is impossible. M. Thats a very good point. That is what happens. You become some transferential object for everything really. Some discussion on the newness of the work and what is going on: H. So I think its a really interesting mix of stuff. But I think that openness or that willingness to share stuff is a direct parallel to what happens when you start working outside with groups. Thats certainly my experience, and because its so new we dont know. M. We dont know whats going on half the time. I think that the interesting thing. V. With that newness I feel there is a kind of real excitement. What is possible? And, because we are professionals we do spend a lot of time thinking about ethics. We limit ourselves, and then we go off again, and then we bring ourselves back again. H. There is that tension V. Its wonderful to be in that situation, because its very creative. H. Its like that creative edge M. But it is knowing what youre going to cop for, even if you dont cop for it. So for me being for warned is being for armed. So if I know thats something that is going to come my way then I can manage it. Its a bit like, but thats an illusion because you dont know what youre going to get in the room. But its being able to think this may be around for people and then where do I sit in relation to this? V. And what that might mean H. I think thats an important part of the therapy. I think people need to be able to that when they are outside as clients and I think facilitators will get that (M. moves mic closer) dont point that thing at me B. Ive overcome that now (more laughter and talk of the phallic microphone) H. The transferential stuff is still present, but because you have that extra dimension I do think you cop for more intense transference around the issue of responsibility. I think theres something for the facilitator in that we can easily go into that. In most cases, and this is my hunch, we are coming into this profession because of some type of helping type of instinct and I think that when we go outside that magnifies that and there is a pull to go into being overly responsible, even the fact that it starts to rain. Talk of counter transference and therapist anxiety in managing the dynamics outdoors: M. Yes as a therapist I think therapist anxiety becomes so magnified really because you are in an uncontained environment that you cannot control H. and then if you start coping for a lot of negative then thats a lot, theres already a lot in the room but thats.. M. And then with a group and the group gangs up on you G. But they do, even if its in a fun way and I think thats something very nice about the thing that its worked well this weekend because we have formed a community with everybody mucking in and doing a bit and everybody looking out for each other. If a group doing therapy outdoors then its formed a mutual support. V. But it can go the other way. It could be very disruptive M. But, it is something about how do you hand that over to the group? So its like how do you set up an experience? Which more than likely you are charging for.. B. I think the fact that there is a charging element creates that sense of entitlement immediately in the client and when you are working with that third entity nature, that can take away any entitlement what so ever. When the wind and rain comes down and everybody has just got to sit in their tents by themselves, mulling over why have I paid for this? And thats a dynamic in itself, yes you may be entitled to something and you may not always get it. H. Thats the point.... Thats the therapy. B. And its the ability to work with that and so the only responsibility of the facilitator then is to have some kind of space where things can happen and be talked about even when it is raining and that may also be destroyed. H. well thats true, but its the facilitators responsibility also to be present and I think thats where the anxiety issue can be and they can get into a lot of anxiety and start disappearing off in some way. And youre not able to fully hold that process and it is incredibly intense. And if youve got so many people who think they are entitled to have so many hundred quids worth of experience and they are not quite getting it or its not what they thought it was going to be, its quite powerful stuff. V. Also youre dealing with survival stuff at a basic level. Youre dealing with food, youre dealing with sleep, sleep deprivation, people snoring, invasion of space, and youre seeing your therapist eating and going of to the toilet. B. Bodily functions, I think thats a huge one. V. It is pretty major. Especially if youre not used to outdoor living and then that whole thing about dependency and responsibility, massive vulnerability Continued on page 6....

Camping amongst the trees

I think therapist anxiety becomes so magnified really because you are in an uncontained environment that you cannot control

Walking together

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CAPO Newsletter

Continued...
B. You have to expose yourself and take off the therapist skin and expose yourself as the weak human that you really are. The issue of working in the outdoors and competencies: G. In my experience of working with groups its really important that, as part of the holding environment for the therapist, to really know the ground that they are taking the group on, like the back of their hand and also really important for the therapist to be in the bottom quartile of their personal comfort zone outdoors and to almost then be able to read the signs. I know from my ML training that the leader wouldnt take the group on a route that he couldnt do all over again on his own at the end of the day. So its about keeping it safe. H. But youre talking about a therapist who is also holding the therapeutic space arent you? Because I know some of the trips Ive been on, Ive also had outdoor.. Ive been working with an outdoor person, so they might be in their comfort zone but I may not necessarily be in mine. G. I think thats how you brief the outdoor specialist then as to what the risk is. It becomes what they call a misadventure when everybody is wet and cold and you cant do anything about it. Thats why I say when youre working with outdoor professionals, and you were saying Martin your experience of some of the people on the ML course you did, you have to almost get through the experts ego before you can do any work. G. when I last did my ML course there was a guy at the (xxxxx), you know, smashing guy you know he kept on saying that was a stupid thing to do, I cant believe you did that and if youve got any of that in a process where there are vulnerable people, go home. B. Theres a lot of egos in outdoor work right from the kit, to where you do things, the routes, whats the best way, you do things in a particular way. M. But thats a particular strata, some of us are not going to be doing this , we are not going to be going on these adventure trips where we are camping and were in the elements. Some of us will be in the park or nearby nature with people or in the woods. I mean the weather will always be the weather, but there is different start to this sort of work. G. The reality is the gentle stuff weve done here, you know the tent, the toilet tent. A hole in the ground for some clients that would completely freak them out! Some of these points are central to understanding the emergent process of the work outdoors and some of the issues for therapy practice, especially in terms of therapist competency and how to manage both your own feelings, those of the people you are working with, and to do this in terrains which may themselves be difficult. So the issue of both physical and emotional safety becomes important when working in the outdoors. The wider group are encouraged to respond to these points as they are meant to generate some discussion of the work itself. If you would like to contribute further comments or reflections for the next edition of the newsletter, please email to Lana Jackson at: Jacksonpsychology@hotmail.co.uk

News & Events

EVENT: HEALING ALTARS OF THE
HEART Sunday March 26th 2011 Burnham Beeches With Charlotte Yonge, Amy Thakurdas and Kevin Burrows. An experiential woodland event with expressive arts, exploring themes of Eco-therapy and Natural Spirituality. Bring picnic lunch. Meet at the Burnham Beeches Cafe at 10am. Donations to Gatekeeper Trust. For further information contact Charlotte, m.07907527833; email: creativeliteracy@gmail.com Amy: health.harmony@yahoo.com Kevin: creationcounselling@hotmail.com

Congratulations to CAPO members

Martin Jordan and Hayley Marshall who have recently published an article in the European Journal of Psychotherapy and Counselling: Taking counselling and psychotherapy outside: Destruction or enrichment of the therapeutic frame? You can download a copy from the CAPO websitesee newsletters and publications: www.outdoortherapy.org.uk

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CAPO Business Meeting 9th October 2010

Below are the points raised at the meeting and things discussed:
Yahoo group and email communication. It was discussed that we need some functioning forum to allow us to communicate with each other and to discuss ideas and issues in relation to practice. Caroline proposed that we could use the Ecopsychology NING forum and set up a group within this. There was some discussion about possible problems with the identity of the group in relation to this wider group. Hayley said she would look into a forum (Update Hayley has done this. However, it is not functioning that well so any offers to look into this would be most welcome?). There was the perennial discussion of roles within CAPO and the importance of these roles in order for CAPO to be a fully functioning group. The group acknowledged that there was a lot of enthusiasm at the last meeting, but that little of this had materialised into organising meetings etc. Money Hayley stated we had 755.79 in the bank and Elise offered to be a second signature in terms of a bank account and keeping things proper and accountable. Discussion of next meeting date. Geoff has offered to look into Hazel Hill as a venue for the next meeting. There was also some discussion around a spring meeting up North However, nobody stepped forward to organise this (so watch this space). Martin agreed to organise a meeting for September 2011 at Battle again. Although not to clash with the real re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings which formed an interesting diversion for the group following this meeting!!

The next CAPO meeting: Message from Geoff

At the last meeting I accepted responsibility for arranging the next 'southern CAPO' meet in the Autumn. I have an opportunity to arrange a one day bought in workshop and would like to sound out the group to assess feasibility, support etc...a draft..... 'Get to Know Trees......better' I am currently attending an evening class which is badged as above. It is provided under the banner of the 'Workers Educational Alliance' and is facilitated by a locally based ecologist Geoff Jones. The course covers subjects such as tree identification, habitat, ecology/environmental/ sustainability issues, woodland management, woodland archaeology etc. To make this work, we'd have to meet somewhere near Dorset and I've already suggested Hazel Hill near Salisbury - a location which has previously been used for peer group work and was popular with everyone. Whilst costs are kept as low as possible, and I fully support Martin's 'part self catering model' which avoids wastage, there will be necessary 'add ons' to cover the facilitator's costs. If we can have the committed support of say 15 people then the additional costs would be around 13 each. Can I have your thoughts please and, if they are positive ones, would the preference for this to be in the spring or autumn of next year? Regards Geoff Britton info@elementscoachingandcounselling.co.uk Please email Geoff with your comments

Geoff is happy to provide a compacted one day programme for an inclusive cost of around 200 and, if necessary, I'll take him to the venue. Obviously, this event would increase the cost of attending the function but would give substantive and informed input, which may help inform our individual practice.

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CAPO Newsletter

Profile Page:
Introducing CAPO members...

Who are our CAPO members? What are their backgrounds? How are they working? And what draws them to Counselling and Psychotherapy Outdoors?

Benn Kiley
I am a trained personcentred counsellor but I also have a background in philosophy which allows me to bring an existential element to my work. I have a private counselling practice in Banbury and Oxford. I also work within the Care and Support department of a large housing association, part of which involves being a member of the National Advisory Council for Homelessness. What brought me to CAPO? From a purely therapeutic perspective and interest: Challenging the concept of the therapy room Exploring ways in which I can utilise an outdoor approach in my practice whilst also keeping boundaries between work and my own personal interest of emergence in nature Further exploration of the question: what is nature? From a homelessness perspective and interest: The concept of home Is it just a place to go to? The use of nature and the outdoors in drug rehabilitation Exploring ways of relating to the environment from a rough sleeping/homelessness perspective How to bring nature into a confined//manmade space

Paul Weatherley
Paul trained as a systemic family psychotherapist in London. He has been registered for nine years. He worked for many years with children and families as a residential social worker. He now works as a residential crisis worker in an adult mental health crisis unit where he leads a weekly walking group. He also gives time on one morning a week to a Family and Couple Therapy Clinic. Paul has a growing, independent practice. This will integrate sitting (including on wheelchair and on mobility scooter) and talking with appreciating the power of nature, shamanic techniques, mindfulness, and walking, to increase well-being and health. Paul's passion for walking offers him space for renewal, healing, sensory awareness and fun. He has completed the North Downs Way in sections and is looking forward to walking alone and with others further afield as well as in the seasonal beauty of his neighbourhood.

What brought me to CAPO?