Shag Bay about 1910(?).

The first section of the East Risdon Nature Reserve that we walk through on our bushland walk and talk sessions has an interesting history.

I’m curious so I asked some people about the stories of the different ruins and quarries, and other evidence of land use that are there to look at as we walk along. I also did a whole bunch of online searches to see what I could find.

This blog I have named “Part 3” because it turns out there are many stories to tell about this small piece of land by the Derwent River. Part 1 can be before human contact, Part 2 can be the first people’s usage of this country, and Part 3 is about what has happened there since John Bowen and his crew landed just up the river a little bit.

I have started with pictures and will update this blog as I hear more details, and you ask me some questions.

The wrecking of the HMS Nelson in Shag Bay 1926.

The wrecking of the HMS Nelson in Shag Bay 1926.

HMS Nelson docked at Williamstown, Victoria, 1874.

Link to history of HMS Nelson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Nelson_(1814)

     The bone mill fertiliser factory in Shag Bay 1920ish.

    The bone mill fertiliser factory in Shag Bay 1920ish.

Links to history of this mill:

http://ontheconvicttrail.blogspot.com/2017/04/old-shag-bay-fertilizer-factory-site.html

http://www.mtwellingtonhistory.com/pdf/Shag-Porters-Bay-Fertiliser.pdf

 The Hobart floating bridge 1938.

A section of the floating bridge in Geilston Bay 1938. (My mooring for Water Is Life is now just right (north) of the closest part of the bridge section.)

Water Is Life on her mooring in Geilston Bay 2017.

Towing the new floating bridge into place, 1938.

Towing the new floating bridge into place, 1938. Is that a boulder holding that tow rope in the foreground?

A section of the floating bridge being returned to Geilston Bay 1964.

 

A section of the floating bridge now forming the break water at Alonnah, Bruny Island.

 

To talk about counselling/therapy options, and to make an appointment, please call me.

Nick Hall – 0459413198 – 9am to 5pm – Monday to Wednesday.

Hobart, Tasmania.

Counsellor Hobart Tasmania. Counselling Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapist Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapy Hobart Tasmania. Therapist Hobart Tasmania. Counselling outdoors. Bush Adventure Therapy. Somatic Psychotherapy. Psychology. Nature Contact. Life skills. Coaching. Walk and talk. Psychodynamic. Mindfulness. NDIS.

 

 

 

 

 

We took a day trip down the Derwent River the week before last. In the fresh water. I spend a lot of time in salt water, being a regular surfer, and a boating type.

Fresh water is different. Rivers are different. Fresh water can be drunk, and it is also refreshing and cleansing to our bodies with a whole different quality to saltwater.

And the animals are different. Even though we did see sea eagles nesting with their giant chicks, twenty five kilometres from the saltwater coast. We saw platypus, trout jumping, bushland birds. There would be eels there somewhere, sliding about.

Something about paddling with the flow of the river had a positive influence on our affect. My experience is that this reliably happens to me when I go with the flow of the river. The same seems to happen to those I share this experience with. A different land, on the river, in the fresh water. Good for us, adventure, cleansing and refreshing.

To talk about counselling/therapy options, and to make an appointment, please call me.

Nick Hall – 0459413198 – 9am to 5pm – Monday to Wednesday.

Hobart, Tasmania.

Counsellor Hobart Tasmania. Counselling Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapist Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapy Hobart Tasmania. Therapist Hobart Tasmania. Counselling outdoors. Bush Adventure Therapy. Somatic Psychotherapy. Psychology. Nature Contact. Life skills. Coaching. Walk and talk. Psychodynamic. Mindfulness. NDIS.

On a recent free camping trip in Victoria, Australia, with my daughter, I visited some special places. We camped by the Lerderderg River, and in the Mount Franklin volcano crater, then turned westward in our little car to spend some quality time at Girawerd (The Grampians).

The special places that have stuck in my mind in that country are shared special places. They are also sacred sites belonging to our first peoples.

We visited Billimina Shelter on the western side of the reserved lands of Gariwerd. It was a warm, still day. Not too hot, just right for walking, not too many flying insects sharing the space.

As we approached the rock shelter, with it’s curiously engaging red ochre paintings, the specialness of the site became palpable. We relaxed, and let the sacred energy of this place soak in. Whatever knowledge or wisdom that was to be imparted by visiting with respect was entering our feeling beings, as happens with all special places.

Words don’t work so well with an experience such as this. We looked at the paintings which echoed the same. Pictures paint a thousand words, with no need to explain. Soak it in, let our busy thinking minds subside.

I say thank you to the first peoples of our shared lands, for the care you have taken for countless generations, and to you reading this blog, where are your special places that feed your soul, that make you feel that you understand something good that is beyond words? Maybe go and sit in one of these places soon.

To talk about counselling/therapy options, and to make an appointment, please call me.

Nick Hall – 0459413198 – 9am to 5pm – Monday to Wednesday.

Hobart, Tasmania.

Counsellor Hobart Tasmania. Counselling Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapist Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapy Hobart Tasmania. Therapist Hobart Tasmania. Counselling outdoors. Bush Adventure Therapy. Somatic Psychotherapy. Psychology. Nature Contact. Life skills. Coaching. Walk and talk. Psychodynamic. Mindfulness.

 

 

Our family dog Robbie (Bob) is about to turn thirteen. About a year ago he developed age related epilepsy and it has been brought under control and managed by some quite strong medication. This is a good thing for Bob, and us, as his fits can be distressing to watch, and he can hurt himself whilst fitting. The medication has also made him subdued, and sometimes he looks disorientated, confused and slow to respond. He sleeps more than he did before. We have got use to a different Bob around the house, a bit sad, but as I said, better than daily fits.

Now here is why I have included Bob’s situation in my blog. When we take him for a walk across the road in the coastal reserve, or better still, down to our beach, he transforms quickly to the Bob we knew, full of vigour, happily sniffing everything he passes, and fully engaging with the things that connect with his attention.

This natural transformation is accessible reliably and daily.

Watching Bob come more alive outside immediately made me think of the work I am doing with clients in the same environment. So for me Bob therefore becomes an unpretentious, and I think, reliable test pilot for the efficacy of this work. Be like Bob, step outside, and feel the transformation.

When Bob gets home after his walk he needs a rest.

 

To talk about counselling/therapy options, and to make an appointment, please call me.

Nick Hall – 0459413198 – 9am to 5pm – Monday to Wednesday.

Hobart, Tasmania.

 

Counsellor Hobart Tasmania. Counselling Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapist Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapy Hobart Tasmania. Therapist Hobart Tasmania. Counselling outdoors. Bush Adventure Therapy. Somatic Psychotherapy. Psychology. Nature Contact. Life skills. Coaching. Walk and talk. Psychodynamic. Mindfulness.

 

Person-centred therapy works with the ways in which we perceive ourselves consciously, rather than attempting to interpret our unconscious thoughts, ideas, or imaginings.

A person-centred approach sees us as having an innate tendency to develop towards our full potential using our own resources and supports. However, this ability can become blocked or distorted by our life experiences. This in turn effects our sense of self worth, either by depressing it, or inflating it. Both of these effects cause personal suffering.

Using this understanding I work to understand your experience from your point of view. By positively valuing you as a person in all aspects of your nature, and by being open and genuine, to allow you to feel acceptance and better understand your own feelings. The intention is that this enables you to reconnect with your inner values and balanced sense of self-worth. This reconnection with your own resources enables you to find your way to move forward.

Two powerful things are happening here. You hear yourself express what is important to you and what thoughts and/or actions may be interfering. Then we explore what it is that works for you to free yourself from what is making you unhappy, anxious or unwell.

And if what you find works, you can practice it, because it may be worth it for you.

Counsellor Hobart Tasmania. Counselling Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapist Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapy Hobart Tasmania. Therapist Hobart Tasmania. Counselling outdoors. Bush adventure therapy. Somatic psychotherapy. Psychology. Life skills. Coaching. Walk and talk. Psychodynamic. Mindfulness.

To talk about counselling/therapy options, and to make an appointment, please call me.

Nick Hall – 0459413198 – 9am to 5pm – Monday to Wednesday.

Hobart, Tasmania.

Joseph Campbell, mythologist and writer said “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” A use of metaphor to speak of exploring deeper within oneself to understand how to best be in the world. Very personal and self-specific work.

The week before last I guided a trip into Mystery Creek Cave, on the edge of Tasmania’s South-West wilderness, with a small group of young women and men.

As we talked about the expedition beforehand, and on the walk in, we discovered quite different levels of apprehension about descending into the darkness and the confines of the cave.

The challenge, the fear and excitement, the reason for being there unique in each one of us. Working intentionally with metaphor can be a powerful tool in counselling and psychotherapy, especially in the outdoors in an environment of managed risk.

The walk in through the rainforest.

Inside the cave entrance.

Some tight spaces.

Back at the entrance.

 

Counsellor Hobart Tasmania. Counselling Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapist Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapy Hobart Tasmania. Therapist Hobart Tasmania. Counselling outdoors. Bush adventure therapy. Somatic psychotherapy. Psychology. Life skills. Coaching. Walk and talk. Psychodynamic. Mindfulness.

 

To talk about counselling/therapy options, and to make an appointment, please call me.

Nick Hall – 0459413198 – 9am to 5pm – Monday to Wednesday.

Hobart, Tasmania.

 

Some of the work I do is with young people and I am always on the lookout for engaging activities to do with them whilst we talk, and get to know one another.

Mixing counselling with activities, especially play activities, is an approach used by many therapists and counsellors who work with children.

The activities I have used with young people in the outdoors are fishing, cycling, canoeing, surfing, ball games, nature walks, building things with blocks or sticks, kite flying, and perhaps my favourite, looking for treasure in the form of gemstones, and fossils and other interesting things.

These activities are potentially helpful in adventure therapy for adults also. The activity can be the therapy that goes with what you want to talk through.

Counsellor Hobart Tasmania. Counselling Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapist Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapy Hobart Tasmania. Therapist Hobart Tasmania. Counselling outdoors. Bush adventure therapy. Somatic psychotherapy. Psychology. Life skills. Coaching. Walk and talk. Psychodynamic. Mindfulness.

To talk about counselling/therapy options, and to make an appointment, please call me.

Nick Hall – 0459413198 – 9am to 5pm – Monday to Wednesday.

Hobart, Tasmania.

 

 

I have been reading some articles on how too much screen time may be adversely effecting the healthy balance of our lives. And I got to wondering how this discourse connects with my experiences of working with people in the bush.

I am very reticent to turn on a mobile phone, or any other screen device, when I have specifically entered our bush lands with the intention of maximising the benefit of being there.

Why?  Am I some sort of technology hater? A green fundamentalist perhaps?

No. I like technology, and I am a bit green, and other colours as well.

I am simply not wanting any technology to interfere with the purity of the interaction with the natural state of this type of land. So I go there with the bare minimum of accessories. I do not take an extra anything with me. Maybe a coat, a water bottle, a small first aid kit, and my mobile phone turned off in a ziplock bag to keep it dry (in case of an emergency).

What happens when we do this?

Well, good question.

Give it a go, see what happens for you.

If you like let me know how it went in LEAVE A COMMENT.

Link to ABC article touching on this: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-16/camping-for-mental-health/10238198

Counsellor Hobart Tasmania. Counselling Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapist Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapy Hobart Tasmania. Therapist Hobart Tasmania. Counselling outdoors. Bush adventure therapy. Somatic psychotherapy. Psychology. Life skills. Coaching. Walk and talk. Psychodynamic. Mindfulness.

To talk about counselling/therapy options, and to make an appointment, please call me.

Nick Hall – 0459413198 – 9am to 5pm – Monday to Wednesday.

Hobart, Tasmania.

 

 

How does walk and talk adventure therapy work?

My sessions are 1 to 1 .5 hours. We find a mutually agreeable spot that suits your walking pace and ability in a safe outdoor space (around Hobart). We walk and we talk about what it is you would like to explore about yourself and how your life is at the moment. Being outdoors allows for helpful interaction with nature and what is going on around us to add to this therapeutic experience. It can be stimulating, and freeing. Not a distraction from issues, but an appreciation of how what’s happening for you fits into a bigger picture, as well as your internal world.

What if the weather is bad?

Going out in the weather can be part of this process. It’s up to both of us to decide together if the weather is ok. If it’s not ok for the day I have sheltered options or we can reschedule.

Adventure therapy??? All we are doing is walking?

Walking for some is a little adventure, and for some, walking in a natural environment is a big adventure. We can also choose our adventure. I offer canoe paddle, and cycle path sessions as well. Mix it up if you like.

Unexpected helpful adventures can also happen whilst we are in a dynamic outdoor environment. Interactions with nature and what is happening around us value adds to your therapeutic experience.

How safe is it?

My first priority is to establish and maintain a space that is physically and emotionally safe. The locations I use have been risk assessed by me, and I use real time risk/benefit assessment whenever I am working with you. I look for locations that have helpful, gentle nature interactions, with low to moderate people usage to maximise emotional safety.

Counsellor Hobart Tasmania. Counselling Hobart Tasmania.  Psychotherapist Hobart Tasmania. Psychotherapy Hobart Tasmania. Therapist Hobart Tasmania. Counselling outdoors.  Bush adventure therapy. Somatic psychotherapy. Psychology. Life skills. Coaching. Walk and talk. Psychodynamic. Mindfulness.

To talk about counselling/therapy options, and to make an appointment, please call me.

Nick Hall – 0459413198 – 9am to 5pm – Monday to Wednesday.

Hobart, Tasmania.