Modern western culture teaches us that we are separate and somehow superior to nature. It is simply a resource to be exploited. That it not only wrong - it is dangerous. It’s led to ecological destruction and climate change.
We are part of a complicated and interconnected web of life, so our mental and physical health cannot be separated from the health of the planet. We are part of nature and nature is part of us. We know this on a subconscious level, and this part of us is crying out to heal the rift created by thousands of years of western ‘civilization’.
Ecotherapy is about working with this to rebuild our emotional connection with the natural world. The first step towards healing is knowing that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. But in addition to this, being in nature also has a relaxing, restoring and revitalising effect on us. When facilitated properly, this process can be incredibly powerful.
Connecting to nature and the ‘five pathways’
There is a lot of evidence to show that people who are connected to nature are happier and healthier that those who aren’t.
These are the five main ways that we connect to the rest of the natural world:
Through our senses (what we see, feel, hear and smell around us).
Through the beauty we see in the natural world.
Through our emotions, and the feelings we have in, and about nature.
Through the meaning that nature can offer us (for example, the cycles of the seasons).
Through the compassion we have for nature (for example, caring about animal welfare).
I’m a certified NatureWell facilitator. This means I have a toolkit of activities I can use to help you build your connection with nature, using each of the five pathways above.
Building wellbeing through nature-connection
There are a range of other nature-based activities that can be part of an ecotherapy programme. Including:
Sensory awareness and mindfulness exercises.
Gardening and horticultural therapy.
Conservation work.
Bushcraft and wilderness survival.
Walking.
Foraging and outdoor cooking.
Nature-based arts and crafts.
Storytelling and music around the campfire.
I often use activities like these in my group events and workshops because - as well as building their emotional connection to nature - people also benefit from getting fresh air and exercise; meeting others and building social connections, learning new skills and being removed from modern-life distractions and stresses.
What happens in one-to-one ecotherapy?
For those who want a deeper healing journey, I would recommend some one-to-one sessions. The aim here is for me to guide you on a journey towards greater self-awareness and wholeness, with nature playing an active part. You can read more about that here.
These are some of the tools and practices I may use:
A range of talking therapies that take a holistic approach. I use the principles and techniques of person centred counselling and Internal Family Systems, but I also make nature an active participant in the process.
Trauma-informed body work, which works with our nervous system and helps us build a closer connection between our minds and bodies (and the body of the earth itself).
A range of mindfulness exercises that build sensory awareness and help us get out of our rational, thinking minds and into a more embodied state.
The practice of using a ‘sit spot’, where we can be still and quiet for extended periods and observe the natural world around us. This helps us become more aware of the patterns that exist in nature – and ourselves.
Using objects found in nature in a creative way. This encourages us to reflect on why we were drawn to certain objects and what we are trying to convey through what we make with them.
Working in the transpersonal realm, where ecotherapy can take on a more spiritual dimension. This could be described as ‘soul work’ and could include a deep journey involving altered states of consciousness. The ultimate aim here could be to find your soul’s true calling.
