EcoTherapy

Through my and your relationship with nature, we will spend time outdoors in and with nature for guidance, metaphor, wisdom, allyship, validation, and strength. Sometimes we will simply sit or walk in nature and other times we may have a specific journey or exercise with nature. We evolve as nature evolves, we are not separate from, but part of and within nature and nature is within us.

We’ve long understood the benefits of “talk therapy” for the treatment of emotional distress. Science also proves that nature is a powerful medicine. Getting outside the traditional setting of an office may help you feel more comfortable while discussing painful issues. Ecotherapy has been linked to lower levels of stress hormones, increased attentiveness, decreased rumination, and improvements in mood. ​

Nature Therapy & Eco-Therapy use connecting with nature as a way to support mental health. I respect nature as an ally in healing. How we interact with nature depends on your interests. It could be as simple as taking a hike, cooling our feet in a stream on a hot day, or building a campfire while we talk. If you’d like to go deeper, we could explore cultivating relationships with specific plants, animals, or streams, or consider how the changing seasons may reflect internal changes within you.

Ecotherapy combines the healing power of nature with traditional therapeutic techniques. Exposure to nature can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and increase concentration. We can help you develop a plan to increase your contact with nature – including increasing outdoor activities, engaging in nature-based grounding exercises, or adding natural elements to your home and work environments.

Ecopsychology permeates my practice even when we are meeting in-office. I pay close attention to your relationship to the natural world and your own natural rhythms. I also have training and experience in supporting folks with ecological/climate anxiety and grief.

As an ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide, I support clients in nature connection practices, for the purpose of embodiment thru the senses, and to experience wholeness with nature. This is typically a two and a half to a three hour slow walk in a nature setting, in which invitations are offered to experience the more-than-human world, for physical and mental health benefits. With all of modern life's distractions, being in nature opens the senses and deepens our relationships and wellbeing.

I have been practicing ecopsychology for over 10 years. This may include using plants and pictures of plants or a nature scene, or it may include meeting in person (when possible) on the beach or in the woods. The use of nature provides for a deeper level of healing that may increase empathy for oneself, others and the planet.

I'm experienced in working with climate anxiety and climate grief, as well as with ecological anxiety and grief in general. I also help people reduce stress through increasing their connection with nature. In person, I offer nature-based therapy and hiking therapy for established clients.

Ecotherapy recognizes that our dis-ease as humans stems from living a life that is disconnected and out of harmony with the natural rhythms of the earth. To place mental illness solely in personal reality is a delusional repression of actual experience. Our lived experiences - on freeways, in food deserts, and concrete jungles - has separated us from our own rhythms. Our goal then, is simply to welcome you back to the rhythms of your body and the earth.

Ecotherapy aims to connect individuals therapeutically with nature. Walk + Talk sessions are available in order to bring about the mind/body connection in your therapy process, as well as, getting you grounded back with nature.