our bodies hold the truth. the land holds our bodies. we hold each other.
My work is in service to the oldest of questions - how to live. Working with individuals and groups in therapy (outdoors and online), mentoring/supervision and through a selection of movement classes, writing workshops, adventure retreats and facilitated groups, I help clients think, feel and move differently as a way of finding new insight, developing new awareness of themselves and the world around them, and fostering a fascination and creative curiosity in the ‘long process’ of their lives. I believe in the wisdom of rock - slow magic - and I’m excited about making the most of our brief animal lives upon them.
I believe that we all have an ‘ecological self’ that longs to be better connected to the natural world than many of us feel day-to-day, and through a variety of ways I help clients and class participants find this authentic, wilder, self: our inner animal. I prioritise work that is relational, curious and body-oriented; work that brings us back to our embodied experience of the world, and the interconnectedness of our relationships across the species divide. I believe we heal together in relationship. It all begins with listening.
My influences run wide and deep. I am an integrative psychotherapist, and draw on extensive additional trainings and teachings in ecopsychology & ecotherapy, trauma work, existentialism, shamanism/transpersonal spirituality, embodied psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, depth psychology, authentic movement and plenty more besides! My practice is truly pluralistic, and tailored to each individual client, and I am committed to my ongoing development through high-quality CPD, therapy, supervision, and personal creative practice that I share online through my social media channels and newsletter.
I hold a PhD in Himalayan Geology, which inspires my pioneering approach to environmental movement that I call ‘Geosomatics’. I am especially interested in the erosion/uplift relationship dichotomy as a way of understanding human maturation and this has informed my second book, Weathering (publishing in 2024 with Ebury/Penguin Random House).
In autumn 2023, I took a 4-month sabbatical to explore the Rewilding Europe landscapes of the Iberian Highlands (Spain), Central Appennines (Italy), Velebit (Croatia), and the Affric Highlands (Scotland). Building on my previous travels to learn about rewilding as a practical ethic of restoration and care for people and planet. I am currently exploring this experience in my movement and writing practice.
I live and work on the edge of the Peak District, Derbyshire (UK). I adventure in the mountains whenever I can. I’m obsessed with Finland, Italy, halloumi, and my dog Juno. I am bison-hearted.
For all enquires about my professional services, to ask about a class/workshop or to get in touch for press comment or collaboration then drop me an email at ruth@whitepeakwellbeing.com or use the form below. I will aim to reply within 3-5 days.
“BEING WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN HOLD SPACE IN SUCH A GENTLE AND NON-JUDGEMENTAL WAY IS SOMETHING I’VE NEVER COME ACROSS BEFORE. I’M STILL AMAZED BY HOW MUCH DISTANCE WE COVERED, LAYERS WE EXPLORED IN ONE WEEKEND - COMPARED TO MONTHS IN A GROUP THERAPY SETTING. RE-INFORMING THOUGHTS AT YOUR OWN PACE - PHYSICALLY AND VISUALLY - IS DEEPLY TRANSFORMATIVE. AN EXPERIENCE I CAN ALWAYS COME BACK TO AND DRAW ENERGY FROM.” - BL, 2019
SELECTED RADIO, SPEAKING, WRITING, PODCASTS & FILM
Below is a selection of my public work, though it is not a complete and exhaustive list and does not include my book tour schedule which is ongoing throughout 2024.
Recent
Ecosomatics Conversations, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire & Birmingham Dance Network (April 2024)
Dartington Trust, Studio 1 - Weathering, Nature relatedness & Book signing (April 2024)
The Soil Association Living Earth Magazine - Autumn/Winter2023, The Mental Health Benefits of Trees
The Simple Things Magazine - September 2023 - Outtings feature on why it’s great to know a little bit of geology
Previously
Bradford Literature Festival - Finding the Wild - July 2022 - a talk on my book Grounded alongside author Mo Wilde
Parkrun Magazine Issue 1, Root and Branch - The value of forests - June 2022 (inaugural issue)
Kendal Mountain Literature Festival - Grounded book author talk and signing session, November 2021
‘Outdoor Europe’ (DK Eyewitness, 2021) Book contributions on Forest Bathing and Trail Running
BBC Radio 6 Music, Breakfast Show with Lauren Laverne, Supernature, 5th July 2021 starting 8.30am
Canopy and Stars Podcast - A Life More Wild - Recording and Transcript, July 2021
BAM Clothing, Monthly Column - May - Taking a Gentle Approach to Post-Pandemic Life, 10th May 2021
Time Out (Worldwide), Why Spending Time Outside is So Damn Good, 29th April 2021 Online and in-print May (Global Homepage)
The Space Podcast - Take a Walk on the Wild Side, a relaxing 5-minute extract from my book, Grounded, reworked for this mindfulness-based pod
‘Stay Wild’ (Gestalten, 2021) Book Contribution - The Benefits of Nature Connection - April 2021 (extracted for Time Out above)
BBC Radio Derby, Mid Morning Show, Expert Comment on Getting outside this new year and during lockdown, 8th January 2021
2020
BBC Radio Derby, Mid Morning Show, Expert Comment on Getting motivated to go outside in Winter, 10th November 2020
BBC Radio Derby, Saturday Breakfast Show, Expert Comment on Mindset and Routines When The Clocks Go Back, 24th October 2020
Alpkit Outpost, The Benefits of Slowing Down During Lockdown, Issue 9, October 2020
Cotswolds Outdoors - Nature Connection for Wellbeing, Mental Health Awareness Week, 22nd May 2020
Many Reasons to Be Cheerful Blog (a blog by Do Lectures founder Mark Shayler) - The Proverbial Ants - May 2020
Freestak - Coping with Covid19 for the Adventure Community, March 2020
BBC Radio 4 Ramblings with Clare Balding - Outdoor Counselling in Derbyshire - 12/03/2020
Cotswolds Outdoor Blog (follow on from Facebook Live session) - Interview: Outdoor Therapy with Ruth Allen, 25/05/2020
The Outdoor Journal, Be Here Now - 17/02/2020
Hope Valley Journal, Making a New Relationship with Winter, Winter Issue 2019/20
Heart of the Matter Podcast, Being With What Is, 19th March 2020 (recorded at the beginning of the covid-19 crisis)
2019
Kendal Mountain Festival - Mindful Adventure Panel, November 2019
BBC Radio 4 One to One in Conversation with gardener and writer Alys Fowler - 05/11/2019
AlpKit - Ride and Talk, Run Bosnia, Hathersage, UK, October 2019
Brompton Bicycles x Vivobarefoot, London, UK, 10th October 2019
Love Trails x Vivobarefoot, Gower, South Wales - 4-7th July 2019
Well Fest 2019, Dublin, Ireland - 10-13th May 2019
‘Here’ an inspiring nature connection short film made with Millican, Autumn 2020
Courage and Spice by Sas Petherick - Bosnia and Being Human - 17/04/2019
In The Moment Magazine, Issue 26 July 2019, Expert comment on outdoor therapy and wellbeing, A Sensory Journey p22-26
Like The Wind, From Bosnia With Love, Interview and Photographic Essay, July/August 2019
Waterfront, Canal and River Trust, Issue 9 - ‘Waterways as Daydream Spaces’ - Summer 2019
Finisterre - The Broadcast, Invited Blog Collaboration, ‘The wisdom of Nature’ - Published May 2019
Canal and River Trust Newsletter (Waterfront) ‘Waterways as places of Calm and Impermanence’ Summer 2019
Sisterhood Social, Freedom: What is it to You? - 21st March 2019
Future Generation Commissioner For Wales Guest Blog Social Prescribing January ‘The Interconnections of People and Planet: Our Health Depends on Nature’ - Published 30th January 2019
2018
Runners World - Outdoor therapy and running - Interviewed by Ashley Mateo, 19/12/2018
MKGN, Milton Keynes, What happens when you declare ‘this is my year!’- 6th December 2018
Kendal Mountain Film Festival - Bosnia Fastpacking - What’s the big deal? - 15-18th November 2018
Growing Wild FM - Interview post-Bosnia adventure lessons learned - Hosted by Charlotte Petts, 30/11/2018
Growing Wild FM - Interview pre-Bosnia challenge - Hosted by Charlotte Petts, 31/08/2018
Millican Travel Event 02, Rewilding Your Life: a journey of growth, movement and wild imagination, Keswick - 20th July 2018
University of Nottingham - Coaching Outdoors: utilising natural spaces for important conversations - June 2018
Simple Self Care Podcast - Finding Your Own Outdoors - Hosted by Randi Kay, US, June 2018
Canal and River Trust Newsletter (Waterfront) Pressing Pause in the Christmas period - festive ‘blue space’ wellbeing, 21/12/2018
Waterfront, Canal and River Trust, Issue 8 - Regaining Your Balance (digital detox) - Autumn/Winter 2018
Ernest Journal 8 - The Bison’s Return, Rewilding.
Project Calm Magazine, 12, December 2018 - Who am I now? (Solo adventure and solo challenges and growth)
The Guardian, 22nd September 2018 - Expert Comment Outdoor therapy - wellbeing benefits of surfing
Project Calm Magazine, 11, October 2018 - Creatures of Change (Lessons from Nature’s metamorphoses)
Stylist Magazine, 15th May 2018 - Expert Comment Outdoor therapy - HIKING and wellbeing.
The North Face UK/Never Stop London, London - 26th April 2018 - She Moves Mountains Campaign 'Compassion & the Outdoors'
Columbia Sportswear X She Explores X White Peak Wellbeing, London - 29th March 2018 - 'An Intro to Outdoor Wellbeing'
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, Sheffield - April 2017 - 'Rewilding Adventure’
Ernest Journal 7 - An Essay on Solitude
Project Calm Magazine, 10, February 2018 - On Top of The Mountain (Mountains for Perspective)
Oh Comely Magazine - On Strength
Passion Passport, 2nd April 2018 - The Healing Power of the Wilderness
Lowe Alpine Adventure Journal - Rewilding Adventure ' A pretty austere dream', Romania
Canal and River Trust - Waterfront - The Towpath Runner, Short Film, Mindful Running on the Waterways
Outdoorista - The Power of Outdoor therapy - Hosted by Anna Paxton
Lodestars Anthology - Exploring the Dolomite Mountains, Italy
