Benefits of Ecotherapy on Mental Health

Nature can do wonders for anyone's mental health. So if your feeling depressed, anxious, angry, stressed or are dealing with any other mental health issue a form of therapy that could be of benefit to you is Ecotherapy. To help understand what ecotherapy is and how ecotherapy can help improve your mental health, I have interviewed therapist Theresa Carmody, LMFT.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

"I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in practice for over 20 years. My training focused on the systemic interactions of individuals in intimate relationship. When you envision an ecosystem where there are connections among different individual beings, this is the perspective in which I was trained to offer counseling to people in relationship. Over the years I found that my psychological training, though useful, was limited and I returned to school to study in a Ph.D. program in transpersonal psychology. Simply put, this is an area of study that incorporates the spiritual dimension of human experience. It was during this time that I began to focus on nature mysticism and the spirit in the natural world. It was my own experiences of communing with nature that inspired me to explore what others' experience might have been. A wonderful professor, Dr. Brian Swimme, suggested that I read Theodore Roszak. This was my introduction to ecopsychology and the practice of ecotherapy.

What is ecotherapy?

"Ecotherapy is the practice of ecopsychology. Ecopsychology is a term of Roszak's to describe the integration of ecology and psychology. It has also been called green psychology by Ralph Metzner. What these terms attempt to describe is a developing consciousness shift of the human psyche in respect to the earth. It is an attempt to explain the psychological structures that are involved in human behavior threatening to destroy the planet on which we live and are dependent upon for our survival. It is also a recognition that human psychological well-being is threatened by the beliefs and behaviors that negatively impact the planet.

Ecotherapy, then, is the practice of facilitating awareness of these destructive beliefs and behaviors and engaging in a healing practice of reconciliation. It is different from other therapies in that sessions may be held in natural environments and mindfulness practices (like meditation) are often used. For me this is an extension of the relational work begun in my earlier education and practice as a marriage and family therapist. It is acknowledging that one directly effects and is affected by the natural environment.

What are the benefits of ecotherapy on mental health?

Ecotherapy often has the benefit of easing anxiety and depression associated with a sense of disconnection many people are experiencing. In Western culture in particular our world view prioritizes the individual over the community.

Technology has played its part as well. Though technology has many wonderful benefits, it does add an additional separation from face-to-face contact and speeds the amount of information exchanged. People rarely take time to sit and be fully present with each other. Relationships become focused on tasks to do and this increases the sense of alienation.

Ecotherapy then slows the pace at which we experience our time in nature, encourages sitting quietly and attending to one's experience of the natural world. Without exception, those who have begun this practice to have at minimum experienced an increase in feelings of relaxation. However, many others have described much more profound experiences where they describe feeling a sense support and wisdom they had not previously known. Going into nature with the intention of discovery leads many to a shift of identity as being part of something bigger than oneself; this recognition of connection profoundly changes how one experiences self and relationships."

What would a typical ecotherapy session be like for someone that wants to improve their mental health?

"My practice begins with an ecopsychological assessment. Essentially this is simply a series of questions I ask to discover one's history with the natural world. Many share memories of situations, stories, or events from the past that were profound for them and occurred in natural environments (i.e. a favorite tree, pond, camping trip -- ). I then ask questions to determine what kind of contact with the natural world is current for the individual.

Often I hear people talk of a particular park or area they enjoy but don't get to visit as much as they'd like. This is where intervention begins. I encourage time spent in a favorite natural environment with attention to the world around them. I ask for people to notice the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, thoughts, and feelings that occur while in this place. Here the work becomes much more individualized; it may be that someone then goes to a variety of natural environments to develop awareness of similarity and uniqueness. It may be that we meet in a natural environment to utilize the experience in the discussion of psychological issues. The direction of the work is determined by the desire for change in the individual and the experience they have while in their natural environment."

Where can someone find more information on ecotherapy?

"I would happily assist anyone in finding resources for ecotherapy in their community. I can be reached via email at: theresa@myintuitivecounseling.com.

There are also several wonderful authors both academic and popular who write about ecotherapy, ecopsychology, nature mysticism and the like. Some of my favorites are: Theodore Roszak, Ralph Metzner, Bill Plotkin, Mary Oliver, John O'Donohue, and Derrick Jensen.

Finally, the best place to gain information about ecotherapy is to go for a walk on the beach, sit under a tree, climb a mountain, swim in a pond, or spend a quiet afternoon in a park. When you go into nature and allow it to be your teacher amazing things can happen!"

Thank you Theresa for doing the interview on the benefits of ecotherapy on mental health. For more information on Theresa Carmody or her work you can check out her website at www.myintuitivecounseling.com.

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