Recently, I had the opportunity to consult a group of Nature-Informed Therapists on managing clients who self-identify as "indoor people." It struck me as an intriguing concept. For someone to claim this label, I began to wonder: what are they really saying? Does identifying as an “indoor person” reflect a deep-seated discomfort with the unpredictability of the outdoor environment—things like bugs, weather, or unfamiliar sounds? Or does it suggest something deeper, like a fear or aversion to nature that makes being outside feel more like a struggle than a sanctuary?
The more I thought about this, the more I realized how important it is for therapists to explore the meaning behind this label. Rather than jumping straight into strategies to “bring nature inside” for clients who identify this way, what if we dig deeper? What if we try to understand the emotional or psychological factors behind the reluctance to engage with nature? Too often, therapists in the field of nature-informed therapy rush into brainstorming ideas like indoor plants, nature-based décor, or other ways to simulate nature indoors. While these ideas have value, they risk bypassing something more fundamental: the fears, discomforts, or even misconceptions that might drive this identification as an "indoor person."
What Does It Mean to Be an “Indoor Person”?
As therapists, we need to rethink the false dichotomy between “indoor” and “outdoor” people. Human beings are inherently connected to nature, whether we realize it or not. Our food, water, air, and even the materials that build our homes all come from the natural world. For clients who identify as indoor people, the goal should not be to force them outside or convince them to adopt outdoor activities they dislike. Instead, we should focus on helping them reconnect with nature in ways that feel meaningful to them—whether that’s through cooking, gardening, or simply spending time in a quiet park. After all, over 50% of our DNA is shared with the tree outside our window, and exactly zero percent with the devices we spend so much of our time with. Yet, despite this deep biological kinship with the natural world, many people feel disconnected or even repelled by it. What does it mean to be an indoor person? Does it mean getting more pleasure from the sleek architecture of high-rises than from the serenity of a mountain lake? Does it reflect a cultural shift away from nature, where modern conveniences and technology take priority?
In exploring these questions with my group of therapists, I realized that many of them hadn’t taken the time to unpack what this label means to their clients. Instead, they often moved quickly to the brainstorming phase, eager to offer solutions that would make their clients feel more comfortable without fully understanding the reasons behind their discomfort. But this approach, while well-intentioned, misses an essential part of the therapeutic process. When we overlook the emotional or psychological roots of someone’s reluctance to engage with nature, we risk reinforcing their avoidance rather than helping them confront it.
Nature Is More Than Hiking Boots and Backpacks
Another factor to consider is the stereotype that connecting with nature requires certain activities or outdoor gear. When people hear the term “nature lover,” they often imagine someone hiking a wilderness trail, wearing expensive outdoor equipment, and reveling in the solitude of a remote forest. But this narrow view of what it means to connect with nature can be limiting, both for therapists and clients alike. Nature-informed therapy should not be about shoehorning clients into activities that don’t resonate with them, but rather helping them find their own unique way of engaging with the natural world.
A recent client taught me a powerful lesson in this regard. This client, a man of Jamaican heritage, shared that his primary connection to nature wasn’t through hiking or camping, but through preparing traditional foods that had been passed down in his family. "How much more connected to my roots can I be," he asked me, "than when I’m cooking the recipes my grandmother taught me?" For him, food was a way of honoring his ancestors and feeling a deep connection to the natural world, even though it wasn’t in the form of wilderness exploration. This experience reminded me that nature-informed therapy is about helping clients discover their personal and cultural connections to the natural world, even if those connections look different from the stereotypical “outdoorsy” image.
Nature-informed therapy isn’t just about getting people outside; it’s about fostering healing and connection through their unique relationship with nature—whether that's sitting by a stream, cooking a family recipe, or watching the TV show Planet Earth. Nature teaches resilience, adaptation, and the beauty of life’s cycles. By weaving these lessons into therapy, we help clients heal both their minds and their connection to the world.
When a client identifies as an "indoor person," pause before offering solutions. Explore what that label means to them—it may unlock deeper insights and healing opportunities.
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