Wild Conversations: Integrating Nature and Adventure Therapy into Sexual Health Support for Young People
About the session:
Young people—particularly those who are neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, living with disability, or navigating trauma—often face significant barriers in accessing inclusive and affirming sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education. Traditional clinical or classroom-based approaches can feel unsafe or irrelevant, leading to disengagement. This session invites Forum participants to explore a nature-based, therapeutic alternative: blending Adventure Therapy with SRH education to foster connection, confidence, and wellbeing.
What You’ll Take Away:
Reflections on how to design inclusive, trauma-informed sessions for diverse young people
How might SRH education be facilitated and feel different when out in nature?
What changes when we honour young people’s whole identities—including neurodiversity, queerness, and cultural context—in outdoor experiences?
Opportunities to collaborate or adapt this model in your own community context
Kylie Agnew
she/her
Psychologist
Kylie is a psychologist who works flexibly across both traditional therapy rooms and outdoor settings, integrating nature as a co-facilitator in the therapeutic process. She provides evidence-based treatment for a range of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, stress, personality disorders, grief, and interpersonal challenges. Kylie also supports individuals navigating disability-related issues, focusing on skill development and capacity building. Passionate about the benefits of adventure and nature-based therapy, Kylie is committed to enhancing therapeutic outcomes through innovative, trauma-informed, and person-centred approaches. She has a particular interest in working with children, adolescents, and young adults, and is especially experienced in supporting neurodivergent and transgender clients.
Kylie’s professional background is as diverse as her client base. Before becoming a psychologist, she worked as a teacher, Safari Leader in East Africa, and with the Operation Flinders Foundation. She has also conducted research in the adventure therapy field and undertook a Churchill Fellowship study tour in 2012. Kylie brings a strong belief in the healing power of nature, inclusion, and connection to all her work, and continues to explore how outdoor and adventure therapy can meet the evolving wellbeing needs of young people and their communities.