Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming
Paul Hawken (editor)
Penguin Books, 2017
234 pages
My last couple of articles here have dealt with allowing ourselves to grieve for losses in nature, and discussing trauma and resilience in the time of climate change. I wanted to round out the trifecta with a more concrete set of solutions, and these come in the form of…
“The central hypothesis of this approach can be briefly stated. It is that the individual has within him or her self vast resources for self-understanding, for altering her or his self-concept, attitudes, and self-directed behavior—and that these resources can be tapped if only a definable climate of facilitative psychological attitudes can be provided,” –Carl Rogers, on unconditional positive…
Five Minute #Ecotherapy - #ecopsychology #mindfulness #meditation #stress
I’ll admit that I personally love immersing myself in wilderness areas for days at a time. However, not everyone has the time, finances, ability or desire to do such a thing, and even I only get to do multi-day escapes into the woods once or twice a year at best. Dealing with stressors and other factors detrimental to my mental health and well-being is a daily effort, and so I can’t wait until…
The Restorative Powers of Quiet #ecopsychology #ecotherapy #noisepollution #noise #health #mindfulness
When we think about the restorative properties of nature, we usually think of presences: the presence of greenery, the presence of birdsongs, the presence of physical exertion, etc. What may be surprising is the absences within nature. One of the most notable is the absence of noise. Constant loud noise is rare in non-human nature; there may be short periods of a few days or weeks where large…
I’ve already talked a bit about what ecopsychology and ecotherapy are elsewhere on this site. In short, ecopsychology looks at our psychological connection to the rest of nature, while ecotherapy puts that connection to work in improving our mental health and well being.
But why might you look for an ecotherapist for your mental health treatment? After all, there are therapists out there with a…
You Don't Have to Be an Ecotherapist to Practice Ecotherapy
You Don't Have to Be an #Ecotherapist to Practice #Ecotherapy #ecopsychology #therapy #therapist #psychology
So what is an ecotherapist? Someone who practices ecotherapy, obviously.
Well, maybe. Let’s get a little more nuanced here. There’s the simple definition, but then there’s also the identity end of things. See, “ecotherapist” can denote being something of a specialist, in the same way someone can be an art therapist. Mental health practitioners often use these specialized terms to help potential…
Kate Scowsmith, who lost her home in the Camp Fire and is now a trained ecotherapist, poses for a portrait in Paradise, CA.
The people of Paradise, CA have seen multiple devastating wildfires in the last decade, leaving many afraid of fire. Social workers in the area have been providing a new ecotherapy method using forest walks that has helped participants repair their broken relationships with fire and nature.
With the increasing intensity and frequency of climate-related natural disasters, more people across the country have experienced trauma and loss. Forest therapy, which invites people to connect with nature, could be a tool to help survivors recover, especially those who live and work in ecosystems adapted to and reliant on seasonal fires. It may be especially beneficial in addressing the broken human-nature relationships that have disrupted this cycle and left many afraid of fire. (By Rebecca Randall)
“We need to be able to see these landscapes through a different lens. Otherwise, they’re just a constant reminder of our trauma and loss.”
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Spending time in the woods can help wildfire survivors recover.
Your First #Ecotherapy Session #ecopsychology #therapy #counseling
So you’ve read about ecotherapy and you think it may be a good fit–what’s next?
Your first step, of course, is going to be to find an ecotherapist. You can check the Find an Ecotherapist page here at Watershed Ecotherapy; I’m always adding new practitioners* so check back periodically if there’s no one from your area listed yet. There are more general therapist directories through Psychology Today
