Therapy sessions in the park – a new summer offer in Graz

Psychoanalysis in the Park is aimed primarily at people who have never tried therapy before

As of 10 June, residents in Austria’s second-biggest city of Graz will be able to get a free consultation with a psychoanalyst. This is part of a local initiative called ‘Psychoanalyse im Park’ that aims to provide low-threshold consultations to citizens, and to demystify and destigmatise going to therapy.

People can just come up to the therapist and take a session right then and there in the park while getting to know psychoanalytic and psychotherapeutic approaches. In addition, the specialist on the scene will refer visitors to seek further assistance if needed, familiarising them with the variety of available options.

A walk-in psychoanalyst in the park

The initiative started in May as the warmer months are much more suitable for meeting outdoors. At the same time, according to an official statement by the city, the event will take place every two weeks, on a Saturday from 11 AM to 1 PM, while sessions will be open until 19 August.

The events will take place in Augarten Park, near the Augarten Café. Prior registration is not necessary. However, because the conditions are so open, visitors could find themselves uin difficulty finding an available slot for the day.

It is important to note that there will be no medical assistance available during the sessions and specialists will not be able to work with psychiatric emergencies or people in need of hospitalisation. Moreover, the organisers say that the park meetings cannot be a substitute for genuine care or psychiatric treatment, instead, organisers aim to provide a gateway to warming up to the idea of care.

City Councilor for Health Robert Krotzer was quoted in a press statement, explaining that mental health and treatment remain a taboo far too often. He therefore reminded that the initiative remains a good low threshold way to overcome this situation.