MSW, RSW
Therapeutic Climbing
Climbing has been a hugely therapeutic part of my journey, and I'm excited to share my knowledge through therapeutic climbing experiences. If you find yourself getting stuck in patterns of fight/flight/freeze while climbing, these sessions will teach you tools, practices and knowledge to help you move through these patterns.
Option A
Here we meet for one or more sessions in my office or in nature to go over your goals for climbing therapy, and gain tools, knowledge and resources to use while climbing.
*Rates are the same as regular sessions. A pass must be purchased if we go to The Cube.
*Please contact me to book these sessions :)
Option B
Here, we meet for one or more sessions in my office or in nature to go over your goals for climbing therapy and gain tools, knowledge and resources to use while climbing.
Then we meet for one or more sessions at The Cube climbing gym, where we practice what you learned and work with what comes up in your nervous system in real time.
Group Therapeutic Climbing with an ACMG Rock Guide
At various dates throughout the year, I partner with a certified rock guide to offer day-long group therapeutic climbing programs focused on awareness of nervous system states that arise while climbing, along with practical tools to support climbing in a more regulated way.
Dates for these programs will be posted below, or feel free to contact me for further information.
Custom group programs also available. Please contact me to discuss dates and rates!
Next therapeutic climbing day:
Saturday, September 19th, 2026:
Have you always wanted to try climbing but felt intimidated to start? Or have you been climbing for years and find yourself held back by fear on certain routes? Or maybe you’re drawn to personal growth and curious to explore something new?
Wherever you find yourself, you’re warmly invited to join us for our second Therapeutic Climbing Day for self-identifying women and non-binary folks hosted by me (Registered Social Worker, certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner) and Jasmin Caton (ACMG-certified rock climbing guide).
The focus of this day will be working with fear/activation/freeze responses that show up while climbing so that we can enjoy ourselves more on the rock! We will be drawing upon knowledge, skills, and practices from Somatic Experiencing, as well as our own personal experiences. Along with learning about our nervous systems and practicing regulating our nervous systems in real time while on the rock, we will explore how what arises in us while we climb may show up in other areas of our lives and how lessons learned in climbing can translate to our everyday lives. We’ll also learn some helpful technical skills from the wonderful Jasmin.
About Jasmin:
https://www.supernaturalbc.com/stories/locals-in-the-birthplace-of-adventure-jasmin-caton/ (watch the video on this webpage!)
About me:
I am a therapist (MSW, RSW) based in Nelson, BC, the traditional territories of the Sinixt, Sylix and Ktunaxa peoples. I am also pretty into climbing, as you may have guessed! But I am not one of those effortlessly adventurous people who seem (at least on the outside) to have no fear. I actually experience a lot of fear while climbing, but have found that using the tools and knowledge I gained through Somatic Experiencing, my fear doesn't overwhelm me as it used to, so I actually get to enjoy climbing now This is why I’m so keen to share what has been so transformational for me. Feel free to read more about me here: katrinamoorepettersson.com
Whether you have never climbed, can send a challenging sport route or are somewhere in between, you are very welcome.
Details:
Date: Saturday, September 19th
Time: 9:00 am-4:00 pm (ish)
Location: Exact location and meeting details will be announced closer to the day of the event but will take place somewhere in the Nelson region
Cost: $250 per person (includes guided rock climbing experience co-facilitated by certified therapist). A deposit of $125 is due upon registration. This deposit is non-refundable unless the weather prevents us from climbing or we do not fill the program. Full payment is due one week prior to our climbing day.
Participants: Max 8 self-identifying women and non-binary folks
Please note:
• You must have your own climbing harness and climbing shoes. If you do not own any of this gear and cannot borrow any please let me know, and we can likely arrange something!
• We will be climbing (with many breaks, of course!) for most of the day, so you must have good fitness.
• Top ropers and sport climbers welcome!
5% of the profits will be donated to COINS (Circle of Indigenous Nations) in our efforts to move towards reconciliation with the original and ongoing stewards of the lands where we climb.
Please send an email to katrinamoorepettersson@gmail.com to register. Once I confirm there is still room, I will send you a reply with registration information. Once I receive your registration information and a deposit of $125 you will be good to go!