Ecotherapy is a type of therapeutic practice that integrates the natural world into mental health treatment with the goal of fostering a connection with our environment. The term “ecology” refers to the ways in which all living organisms are related to each other and interact within a system. As such, ecotherapy acknowledges that a person’s wellbeing depends upon their relationship to other organisms and the health of the ecosystem as a whole.
Ecotherapy takes the stance that our current industrialized society has lost touch with the ecosystem due to over-extraction of resources, loss of immediate contact with natural organisms, and excessive time spent indoors. Ecotherapy seeks to reconcile our current society with our need for connection with the natural world.
History
The idea that our connection with nature affects our wellbeing has existed since the beginning of human history. Many different cultures, like those in China and India, have practiced naturopathic medicine and other nature-based health practices for millennia.
In the United States, the term “ecopsychology” was first used by Theodore Roszak, a professor at University of California Berkeley, who also studied social movements and 1960s counterculture. Roszak emphasized the importance of the human connection with nature as part of our evolutionary development. He argued that at the foundation of our psyche there existed an “ecological unconscious.” The goal of ecopsychology, therefore, was to awaken our inherent sense of reciprocity and belonging with the natural world.
In the 1970s, hospital researchers found that patients generally fared better if they stayed in a room with a window versus a room without a window. Given some sort of contact with nature during treatment, patients scored higher on nurse evaluation, needed fewer drugs for recovery, and spent fewer days in the hospital.
Given these studies, and Roszak’s theoretical foundation, the movement of ecopsychology has bloomed within the last fifty years into a rigorous branch of psychology. The practical application of this field is ecotherapy, where clients and clinicians work together to nurture our needs for ecological connection.
How it Works
There are many ways to integrate the natural world into therapy. These range from viewing the outdoors from the window of an office to excursions into wilderness areas. Horticulture therapy, for example, uses gardening to make contact with plants and soil while caring for other living things. Animal therapy, which has proven effective for trauma treatment, involves making bonds and trust with other animals like horses. Wilderness therapy may involve backcountry camping for multiple nights with a therapist or in a therapy group. The benefits of these therapies include easing symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving PTSD and ADHD management, and boosting energy and positive moods.
At LinkTherapy, we offer “Walk and Talk” sessions, where clients and therapists walk side by side through our office’s Portland neighborhood to a nearby park. Both the act of walking and making contact with fresh air and green spaces can stimulate different thought patterns and emotions. Our therapists may also integrate elements of the natural environment like rocks, plants, and pinecones into the traditional therapy room for sensory exploration during sessions.
If you are interested in engaging in therapy focused on utilizing ecopsychology focus you reach out to our admin team today to schedule.
Want to Learn More about Ecotherapy?
Check out these resources for more information:
Ecotherapy: An Introduction (video)
Interview with Theodore Roszak (video)
Theodore Rozsak on Ecological Consciousness (video)
Ecopsychology: Science, Totems, and the Technological Species (book)
Written by Will Hamel, MS, Professional Counseling Associate