What’s Ecotherapy
What’s Ecotherapy?
Ecotherapy is the application of Ecopsychology principles, in a variety of settings, and is emerging in many diverse and novel ways, in the community. But it is also ancient. First Nations cultures across the world, have not separated themselves from Nature. Ecotherapy seeks to heal the split from Nature, that is prevalent, especially in contemporary Western Nations.
Ecotherapy is an establishing and emerging field, applying contemporary therapeutic frameworks, to stimulate and awaken the Environmental Imagination or Eco-self. Ecoself is a term from Deep Ecology and is our true or higher self.
Ecotherapy is becoming more common in mental health, disabilities and aged care, and occupational and recreational therapy. It is popular in children/ family programs, youth at risk as a treatment for anxiety and depression. It can be found in correctional services, in community gardens, cultural harmony projects, drug and alcohol rehab, veterans, as well as rehabilitation programs for stroke and accident victims.
Ecotherapy creates a therapeutic space with and in nature, that promotes and encourages wellbeing, and flourishing. Nature/ plant life cycles and ecosystems coincide and interweave with human life cycles. The split between humans and nature begins to heal.
We are nature. Indigenous cultures have never forgotten.
“Ecotherapy is an umbrella term for nature-based methods of physical and psychological healing.”
If you have ever known the power of nature to soothe the nerves, balance your perspective in challenging times, or simply feel renewed by a walk in a rainforest, or by the ocean, you know it’s capacity for healing. While the healing offered by nature is not new, it is being harnessed in new ways and settings.
At the 2021 Online Ecotherapy Study Graduation, Dr. Maya Ward shared her unique take on Ecotherapy and how she sees it; Click below to watch the full presentation
part of the project that ends human exceptionalism
a call into a greater belonging with Nature
a capacity, to bear witness and be deep warm earth for another
to create a shared culture of love for the earth, with grace, skill, and allure
What’s an Ecotherapist?
An Ecotherapist is an emerging form of healing practitioner, skilled in the facilitation of nature-based immersions and experiences. And Ecotherapist aims to awaken and activate the Eco-self - the deeper, authentic part of us that knows we are not separate from nature. And Ecotherapist works with nature as a co-therapist, from their own alive connection to their Eco-self. An Ecotherapist is aware of the blocks in participants, in connecting with the Ecoself, and skilled at recognising them ad acknowledging them. all the time working with nature. An ecotherapist is skilled at sparking the eco-imagination and waking the eco-unconscious.
Work opportunities within clinical or community settings are increasing; be it in nature-based therapy in the psychotherapy and counseling modalities, mental health, disabilities, aged care /dementia, rehabilitation, youth at risk, and with children.
Everywhere, management of these services is waking to the benefits of Ecotherapy. And the evidence is mounting up, to support the benefits of being connected to the ancient part of us that knows we are nature.
Complimentary therapies, along with other expressive, non-talk-based therapies such as art therapy, pet therapy, music therapy, etc. are a valuable part of an allied approach to treatment. Interest is growing in them. A skilled practitioner can make the most of the self-employment opportunities, that are ripening across the world.
What is Ecotherapy? Presentation for June 2020 Outdoor Health SYMPOSIUM
“Given that the human soul is the very core of our human nature, we might note that, when we are guided by soul, we are guided by nature. Both soul and greater nature do guide us in our individual development, whether or not we ask for this guidance.”
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Being in nature is a wonderful way to encourage mindfulness. Participants of Ecotherapy report feelings of belonging, a sense of place / peace and well being.
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Further information
Launched in Australia & NZ 2019
Nature Heals; An Introduction to Nature-Based Therapies in Australia and New Zealand,
Co-authored by Kerryn Coombs-Valeontis, Virginia Field, and Karen Gray.
Foreward by ABC Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis. A unique and comprehensive look at how Nature Based Therapy is establishing and emerging, and how we are doing it down under! Includes over 30 stories ranging from prisons to pet-assisted therapy - packed with passion, humanity, and joy!
www.naturehealsbook.com
“a good sensible book, the best for this purpose that I have seen published in Australia. It needs widespread take up as a reference as covers many different social contexts. Fortunately, is is not confined to just horticulture or any single “nature” based therapy. Excellent for our clinical staff to learn and general information. Have a look I think it is great.!”