Iβm Penny, a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) with the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy - and a qualified Mountain Leader with the Mountain Training Association and the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Iβm also a Mum, a keen outdoor swimmer and I love scooting around Scotland on campervan adventures with my husband and two wee cherubs.
In short, it is a talking therapy that can help you to manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. Itβs where I started on my therapist journey and I have helped many people in West Lothian to overcome many mental health challenges using this effective technique.
What is Mountain Therapy?
This is my favourite way to help clients and involves enjoying guided group hill walks over a series of sessions. As a qualified specialist, we work together on your mental health using CBT techniques. The workshops are designed to improve your emotional wellbeing while providing useable and practical tools and techniques that will alleviate the problematic symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The Anxiety Workshop is a combination of psycho-education (learning to recognise problematic triggers, raising awareness of how anxiety affects you as an individual) and the delivery of effective CBT tools to reduce anxiety.
The Depression Workshop will focus on cognitive restructuring, challenging negative thinking styles and behavioural activation.
Where does Mountain Therapy take place?
All of my workshops take place in and around the beautiful Pentland Hills in Edinburgh. The walks are accessible to all aged 16+ with a basic fitness level and the pace will be steady, allowing plenty of stops to allow for the delivery of the workshop content - I promise!
Why is Mountain Therapy so effective?
Because it involves a combination of effective CBT tools and techniques with guided hillwalking, it benefits both your physical and mental health, whilst being out in nature and in a supportive group.
No one would argue that exercise can improve physical and mental health. Walking is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of exercising and regular brisk walking will improve the performance of your heart, lungs, and circulation, as well as lower your blood pressure. It has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some cancers.
It is when we combine the great outdoors with walking and therapy that we hit that sweet spot! Being in nature, on a mountain or even a local woodland walk has been proven to de-stress, heal our brains and allow for space and tranquility in this fast-paced life we all live in. Research has also established the following benefits:
Improves mood
Reduces feelings of anger or stress
Provides mental clarity
Encouragesβyou timeβ
Improves confidence and self-esteem
Encourages motivation and increases overall activity
Promotes healthier sleep patterns, kick starst the bodyβs natural digestive system
Improves connections with others
Provides peer support
More detail about my Mountain Therapy Workshops
Group Size:
Each workshop will typically have a max of 6 individuals plus me as your therapist. Workshops can run with a min of 3, max of 8 but only under special circumstances.
Equipment / supplies:
A suitable form of footwear ie, walking boots (no soft-soled trainers) something with a grip style sole, preferably with ankle support)
Suitable clothing ie layers, including comfy trousers or shorts (no jeans), a warm top and a waterproof jacket.
A packed lunch or suitable snack
Water to drink
There may on occasions be some home baking provide on the walks :-)
Duration/Cost:
Each workshop lasts 4 hours, starting at 10am and returning to the start point at 2pm.
Workshops are run on a weekly basis and take place during the week or at the weekend.
The cost per person per workshop is Β£45.
The workshops run consecutively, if you attend one workshop you can book on to workshop 2 and 3 etc.
If you would like to ask any questions or would like to book a workshop, please contact me: https://www.westlothiancounselling.com/contact-me. I would love to be able to help you!
