Heidi Shingler
Heidi Shingler, MA, BSc, DipC, MBACP is a Lecturer and Researcher in Outdoor and Adventure Therapeutic Practice for the School of Adventure Studies at the University of the Highlands and Islands and is a qualified integrative and humanistic counsellor and outdoor therapist based in the Scottish Highlands.
UHI, North, West and Hebrides, UK
An Exploration of Professional Identity, towards an interdisciplinaryprofession
Part 1:
Following on from the Adventure Mind conference in the UK, Stephan and Joshua created a directory
with Belinda Kirk (Adventure Mind) to identify practitioners from diverse occupations offering mental
health services outdoors. We have been asking practitioners to identify their outdoor and therapeutic
competence so that we can map their “zone of practice” using the Outdoor Mental Health
Interventions Model (Richards et al., 2023). We are curious to see the correlation between self-
identified occupation and perceived competence in outdoor therapeutic practice, and how clients and
aspirant practitioners select the service they require. This study aims to grow awareness of outdoor
therapeutic practices and ensure that those who are running it are safe, qualified and provide the
quality that service users deserve.
Part 2:
Stephan and Joshua are joined by Heidi in this segment, where we introduce the Professional Identity
and Interdisciplinary Practice in Outdoor and Adventure Therapy (PIIP) model. This model aims to
help practitioners effectively communicate their practice, fostering dialogue and promoting a cohesive
understanding of our pluralistic and interdisciplinary field. By utilizing a process of representation and
integration, the PIIP model illustrates how we can strengthen the practice of Outdoor and Adventure
Therapy while incorporating insights and methods from various disciplines. We will provide a resource
for practitioners to take away, enabling them to reflect on and enhance their professional identity and
interdisciplinary practice.
Where wild things grow: Friluftsterapi as a preventative, health promoting, and sustainable method for children with neurodivergence in school, health care, family and leisure settings in Southern Norway
Introducing the Association for Outdoor Therapy (AOT)
We are excited to introduce the Association for Outdoor Therapy (AOT), a professional organisation dedicated to advancing the practice of outdoor therapy in the UK. AOT provides guidance and support to practitioners, promoting safe, ethical, and sustainable approaches to outdoor therapy. Our mission is to build a thriving community of practice, enhance knowledge and understanding, and develop capability in the field. We aim to elevate outdoor therapy to a recognised and valued practice that benefits individuals, society, and the environment.
In this presentation, we will introduce our association's members, mission, vision, and aims, and provide examples of how AOT can benefit its members.