ClimbWell

ClimbWell

Wellbeing Through Climbing

At ClimbWell, we provide an innovative alternative to conventional face-to-face therapy. Whether it’s indoors on a climbing wall, or outdoors at a crag, climbing therapy is an expanding field, with a substantial clinical and academic evidence base.

This innovative method combines the advantages of talking therapy with climbing. If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or self-criticism, climbing therapy sessions can provide a transformative experience.

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10 week course or individualised 1:1 support

ClimbWell therapeutic climbing

We deliver bouldering therapy through or our facilitated ClimbWell group, or as 1:1 sessions. Both can help you acquire the skills to navigate personal challenges or help you with your difficulties and provide an opportunity for reflection and growth.

Climbing provides a safe space for real-context interventions, helping individuals manage social comparison, self-criticism, fear, and reframing internal difficulties.

The approach combines skills from various psychological modalities such as Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, Person Centred Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

All of our psychotherapists are registered with professional bodies such as Social Work England or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and all climbing instructors are qualified with Mountain Training England.

Community Group

Our first Bouldering Beyond Borders Group has come to an end.

The Bouldering Beyond Borders Group utilised climbing to support the mental health of individuals in Carlisle seeking international protection due to war, persecution, or human rights violations. This also included those under Ukrainian visa schemes. Our 19-week pilot project aimed to build a supportive community where participants could benefit from climbing and psychoeducational interventions provided by experienced psychotherapists at ClimbWell.

In addition to developing climbing skills, the project focused on enhancing mental health skills, including coping strategies and resilience-building. As the project concluded, participants walked away as climbers, equipped with new skills in both climbing and mental wellness, gaining a sense of achievement and confidence. Climbing taught technical skills while also fostering teamwork and perseverance, empowering individuals to identify as climbers. They will carry these valuable lessons into their daily lives, aiding their wellbeing and onward journey.

You've heard of walk and talks... how about Chalk and Talk?

Chalk and Talk

Chalk and Talk is a group dedicated to fostering a supportive community that promotes individual and collective wellbeing. It provides an inclusive space for members to engage in group sessions which emphasise sharing, connection, and mutual support.

These sessions create a safe environment for expressing thoughts and promoting emotional wellbeing, alongside climbing. The goal is to foster open conversations and mutual care, enabling personal growth and empowering participants to be their authentic selves.

We are offering an introductory deal with the first session free, and for a limited time, sessions are available at a discounted rate of £10. Please note that you will need to pay your own entrance fee. The sessions are held on the first Tuesday of each month and aim to begin at 6.30.

Chalk 'n Talk also offers one-on-one therapy sessions that utilise climbing as a tool for discussion. For further information on 1:1 sessions, please email us at andy.climbwell@gmail.com

Workshops

ClimbWell for coaches

ClimbWell for Coaches is a comprehensive one-day workshop specifically tailored to assist climbing coaches in gaining a better understanding of the unique mental challenges and stress that climbers encounter. As the demand for coaches to provide mental support for their clients continues to increase, this course equips participants with evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques that can effectively aid climbers in managing the mental aspect of their performance.

Have you observed some of your clients struggling with self-criticism, fear, or negative self-perceptions? If so, this workshop is designed to impart some fundamental skills from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. These techniques are geared towards empowering coaches to support their clients in building confidence and achieving their full potential on the climbing wall.

News

Social Enterprise UK

We are excited to share some great news: we have officially become a member of Social Enterprise UK. This membership not only enhances our credibility but also reinforces our commitment to social and environmental responsibility. By being part of this organisation, we can better showcase our efforts in creating a positive impact within our community and beyond.

Our participation in this network underscores our mission to champion sustainability and promote social well-being through our initiatives. We are dedicated to ensuring that our operations align with our values, and this membership allows us to communicate this. We look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead as we work together with other members to drive positive change and inspire others to do the same.

Climbing out of the therapy room

Andy, a dedicated professional at ClimbWell, also works full-time in the Mental Health Team within Student Services at the University of Cumbria. In a noteworthy contribution to the field of mental health support, he has written an insightful article for The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). This article appears in the March 2025 issue of the University & College Counselling journal, a publication renowned for its focus on innovative counselling practices in further and higher educational settings.

In his article, Andy delves into the Climbing for Wellbeing project, an initiative he developed to enhance the mental health and well-being of students studying at the University of Cumbria. The 5-week project combines bouldering with therapeutic practices, aiming to provide students with a unique set of skills and help participants to manage their mental health and wellbeing. Through a thorough exploration of experiences setting up the project, he also explores the project's outcomes, highlighting the positive impacts on students' mental health, resilience, and sense of community within the university environment as well as his.

First project launched

We are proud to announce the launch of our first project aimed at supporting individuals with refugee status or those seeking asylum.

In partnership with Multicultural Cumbria, we extend our gratitude to the Cumbria Community Foundation for awarding us a total of £5,000, which will has been divided between the New Balance Get Active Fund and the Beeby Family Fund.

To help illustrate how the ClimbWell group works, here’s a short film about the therapeutic group Climb for Wellness, designed and delivered by Andy at the University of Cumbria.

Meet the team

  • Jess

    Lead Therapist

    Climbing and outdoor activities have been a lifelong interest for Jess, with a focus on bouldering over the past eight years. She is a qualified Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI) and has been a coach for six of those years, working with individuals of various ages and skill levels.

    Jess is a registered person-centred counsellor from Cumbria, in addition to her climbing expertise. She is particularly interested in the role that self-compassion plays in our overall wellbeing, both in a therapeutic context and in its influence on climbing performance. Jess is passionate about integrating these two aspects of her professional skill set.

    "It never fails to surprise me how often people connect the movement and challenge of bouldering to their mental wellbeing. It's the mind and the body working together and it's a pleasure to create the space for people to explore that for themselves"

  • Andy Cross

    Operations Manager and DSL

    Andy is a Registered Social Worker and a Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI) who began his career in outdoor education in 1999, delivering youth programs using outdoor activities as a psychosocial tool for development. After qualifying as a social worker, he worked in various community NHS mental health settings, including Substance Misuse, Adult Community Treatment Teams and a Community Eating Disorder Service.

    Currently, he is part of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team at the University of Cumbria and is completing a PGDip in Psychotherapy and Person-Centred Counselling. Additionally, he leads a therapeutic climbing group, "Climbing for Wellbeing," helping students manage their mental health.

    “I love climbing because it reveals my true self, highlighting my strengths and areas for improvement. It highlights what truly counts: my self-perception and the profound effect it has on my life and the world around me. This realisation inspired us to create ClimbWell, and I’m continually amazed by the valuable lessons climbing provides us.”