Ep. 12: Tenkara Fly Fishing for Mental Wellness

Redefining “Therapy”

Therapists certified in Therapeutic Fly-fishing with EMDR (TF-EMDR)℠: (from left to right) Dan Pierce, Alex Danilowicz, Vicky Kelm, Tony Parmenter.

What do you think of when you hear the word “therapy”? Do you picture a quiet office setting with a patient on a couch and a counselor in a leather-elbowed cardigan asking, “how does that make you feel?”

This may be the stereotypical perception of therapy, but today, many non-traditional practices once considered “unorthodox” are now widely accepted as legitimate. Contemporary therapists are integrating a variety of innovative non-traditional techniques in non-clinical settings, including facilitated excursions into the outdoors!

While the role nature plays in mental health has long been recognized in other cultures (think “forest bathing” in Japan) the West has been somewhat reluctant to adopt non-traditional methods. 

Yet, many of us say we “feel better” after going fishing. We use adjectives like, “refreshed”, “relaxed”, “de-stressed”, “recharged”.

No doubt, pursuing our sport makes us “happy” on some level. But, is it merely fleeting amusement, or is there something more significant happening? Could fishing possibly be a form of bona fide therapy?

In this episode, Jason sits on the couch with licensed therapist Tony Parmenter to tackle the question: “Is fishing a legitimate therapeutic tool?” 

Seiyu Therapy 33 Tenkara Rod

Tony is a mental health counselor and trauma therapist who recently launched his new company Seiyu Gear, with the goal of facilitating the therapeutic use of tenkara in his own practice, as well as in the larger mental health industry. 

He’s been a pioneer in advocating fly fishing therapy since 2020 and has designed his own tenkara rod specifically adapted to meet the unique requirements of a therapeutic context. 

Tony explains why fishing makes us “feel good” from a clinical perspective, and we learn that while there may not be an official insurance code for “fishing” … (yet), the benefits are undeniable and worth discussion.