The Brookline Center Opens New Outdoor Therapeutic Space
First local community mental health center to build designated outdoor space for mental health services
(Brookline, Mass.—July 11, 2024) Today, The Brookline Center for Community Mental Health celebrated the opening of its new Outdoor Therapeutic Space, marking a significant milestone in community-based mental health care. The Brookline Center is the first local community mental health center to build a designated outdoor space for mental health services. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by local officials and key stakeholders, showcased the Center’s commitment to mental health care access and innovative approaches to care.
The new space transforms the Center’s previously underutilized backyard and is designed to harness the proven mental health benefits of nature and outdoor environments. The space is an ADA-compliant accessible therapeutic environment that uses natural materials and enriches the Center experience for clients, families, and staff. Featuring gardens, private spaces, a children’s nook, and a play therapy court, the Outdoor Therapeutic Space will be used to provide clinical treatment, including individual and group therapy for children and youth. Designed by studioMLA Architects and constructed by Bauman Remodeling, this transformative project was made possible through the generous support of the Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation.
At the ceremony held earlier today, Brookline Center CEO Ian Lang said, “The Outdoor Therapeutic Space is more than just a new facility – it represents a foundational building block of our future. To effectively meet the needs of our communities, we must change how we provide services, who provides services, and where services are provided. This space will allow us to do all three.”
State Representative Tommy Vitolo, who attended the event, praised the initiative, “Mental health is critically important, and this new Outdoor Therapeutic Space is a shining example of The Brookline Center’s commitment to community and innovation in mental health care.”
The project was guided by science-backed outdoor therapeutic approaches and will provide numerous benefits for clients’ physical, psychological, and social wellbeing, including:
- Nature’s calming effect: Spending time in a therapeutic garden surrounded by natural elements such as plants, flowers, and water features can help reduce stress. The garden’s cheerful ambiance and sensory stimulation will uplift mood and promote overall emotional wellbeing.
- Decreased anxiety and depression symptoms: Exposure to nature in a therapeutic garden can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression for both children and adults.
- Sense of control and personal agency: Involving patients in therapeutic outdoor activities empowers and fosters a sense of control. Engaging with others cultivates feelings of belonging and connectedness in children. Play therapy is an essential tool in treating children and contributes to improved mental health outcomes.
- Patient-centered care: Creating an Outdoor Therapeutic Space aligns with patient-centered care principles by prioritizing patients’ needs and preferences.
“Spending time outdoors reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, improves mood and cognitive functioning, encourages mindfulness, and so much more,” said Rachael Hennessey-Crowell, the Center’s Clinical Director of Outpatient. “The Outdoor Therapeutic Space has immense potential for enhancing the Center’s mental health services and improving outcomes for our clients. The versatility of this space means that our clinicians can adapt their therapeutic approaches—from individual sessions to group therapy, from mindfulness practices to physical activities. We now have a broader range of tools at our disposal.”
About The Brookline Center for Community Mental Health
The Brookline Center for Community Mental Health transforms the mental health care system through the development and delivery of innovative programs and services. The Center provides mental health services and programs rooted in meaningful innovation and compassionate care, serving adults and children in local communities, across Massachusetts, and nationwide. Our vision: a mental health care system effective and equitable for all.
For more information, visit www.brooklinecenter.org.