Why Climbing Counseling?
The Science
In climbing counseling, we use climbing to stimulate the body and mind, engaging clients holistically. Climbing is a safe environment for clients to witness their own challenges, and practice new techniques.
Climbing is also a source of bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation is the use of visual, auditory, or tactile external stimuli occurring in a rhythmic side-to-side pattern. It is a core element of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a common treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Using the act of climbing, we promote embodiment as a means of developing mindfulness techniques, self-awareness, and other skillsets that support emotional regulation.
The development of these skills in conjunction with exploring your mental health challenges results in a holistic treatment of mind and body.
In 2005, a study was released demonstrating that eight weeks of climbing psychotherapy can reduce depression to sub-clinical levels in previously diagnosed individuals.
A 2013 study confirmed these results. Additionally, this study demonstrated that individuals who undergo climbing psychotherapy benefited from an increase in self-confidence and a sense of self-efficacy.
Further studies have shown that climbing psychotherapy reduces depression and anxiety.
In short, we climb because it works.
