The Art of Being: Finding Congruence at Back Creek
There is a profound sense of congruence here on the banks of Back Creek. In my two decades of stewarding these 44 acres, I have learned that the land never tries to be anything other than exactly what it is.
One of several therapeutic settings within our 44-acre sanctuary, utilised based on individual preference. Here, among the pale silts and tannin-stained waters of Back Creek, the landscape serves as a quiet reminder that stability is found by honouring exactly where we stand.
As this water flows through our sanctuary, it doesn’t strive to be a clear mountain stream; it is dark and rich with tannins, exactly as the landscape intended. The soil beneath my boots doesn’t mimic the famous red basalt of inland Tasmanian farms; it holds its own shade of pale grey and gold—a quiet reminder of the slate, minerals, and ancient silts that define this specific stretch of Northern Tasmania.
The Architecture of Acceptance In the Person-Centred approach to counselling, we believe that when we are met with true empathy and no judgment, we naturally move toward our own healing. This little corner of the property, with its hand-cut stumps and stone-ringed fire pit, is where I often come to practice nature journaling.
By slowing down to sketch a single leaf or note the water's rhythmic flow, I practice the art of "being" rather than "doing." This intentional pause serves as a "digital micro-break," calming the nervous system and sharpening present-moment awareness. It is a practical application of Modern Science meeting Timeless Wisdom.
A Space Beyond the Clinic I now open this space for our sessions. Nature provides a level of acceptance that no textbook can fully capture. The creek doesn’t judge the pale soil for its limited fertility, and the soil doesn’t judge the water for its deep, tannin hue.
"Finding space" for yourself starts with offering that same grace inward. When you step into this landscape for a session, we move beyond the four walls of traditional therapy. The goal isn't to "fix" who you are, but to finally hear who you are.
From Stability to Ability By standing on this steady, pale earth, we allow the "silt" of daily life to settle. In this regulated environment, your natural ability to grow can finally take root, away from the noise and expectations of the world.
If you were to sit by this water today and offer yourself ten minutes of "no judgment," what would your heart want to say? Could you allow yourself to be exactly like this creek—dark, deep, and perfectly at home in your own skin?
