1-1 ECOTHERAPY
Healing With Nature
As humans, we have co-evolved with the natural world, breathing alongside flora & fauna, bound to the rhythms of the more-the-human world, co-existing within our mutual living & dying. To be in relationship with the natural world is an inherent part of our human experience. Today, we find ourselves re-discovering that our healing and flourishing cannot take place in isolation. Developing a closer, more loving relationship with the natural world is not only healing for ourselves, but vital for collective and ecological restoration. The practice of ecotherapy embodies a sense of reciprocity, opening possibilities for us to expand and deepen our understanding of our place in the world to include all living beings
Exploring Ecotherapy
Together with nature, ecotherapy can offer a meaningful pathway for you in tending to your physical, emotional and spiritual health and well-being, supporting you to understand how you connect with yourself, others and the world around you. You may already feel a deep sense of belonging and connection with nature, and wish to nurture this relationship in your daily life. Alternatively, you might be exploring how engaging therapeutically with nature could be supportive for you at this time.
1-1 sessions can offer a supportive path if you are experiencing any of the following (but not limited to):
Overwhelm
Burnout
A sense of isolation
Feeling fragmented from self/others/the world
Anxiety (including climate anxiety)
Grief and loss (including ecological grief)
Navigating change & life transitions
What Is Already Here
By spending time outdoors, we will begin by noticing nature's capacity to heal and restore as we orientate towards what already resources you. By gently exploring how you connect emotionally and physically with the natural world, we can shift our attention to what is reflected in the landscapes around us. Being guided towards this quality of attention invites a way of discovering what holds meaning for you, offering new narratives for meeting some of the difficulties, thoughts and feelings you may be experiencing. Ecotherapy sessions provide time and space for creative exploration, offering rich terrain in which to explore and listen more deeply to the unique story of 'you' and all that you bring to the world. Each session encourages you to take steps towards your own healing and growth.
My Approach
At the heart of my ecotherapeutic practice dwells an organic, creative process. During our sessions, I will draw on various integrative approaches that we can explore together, ensuring that whatever emerges during our time is held with confidentiality, care and respect. My approach is to walk alongside you, to listen and support you in creating a compassionate space to be with the many qualities of thoughts, feelings and emotions that might be present for you, and reflect in a way that will guide you more fully into your own process of self-discovery. I would describe my approach as person-centered, and as our work will take place outdoors, in relationship with the natural world, I also consider my approach to be systemic. This means I recognise that as humans, we are shaped and influenced by an intricate web of life that is much larger than ourselves. Discovering a sense of our own interconnectedness can open possibilities for deeper and more expansive inquiries.
The shape of an ecotherapy session:
*Restorative nature-based groundings
* Space to nurture your curiosity to be with the unfolding of all that is present for you
* Experiential, embodied nature-connection practices
* Invitations to integrate the session, including tools, skills and practices to bring into your own life
Offering invitations to explore:
* Grounding and resourcing practices
* Nervous system regulation and eco-regulation
* Exploring nature as mirror & guide
* Creative self-expression through: ecological movement, land-art, sound & voice
* Deeper, more immersive experiences with nature
* Ritual & ceremony
Working Together
As a trainee ecotherapist in my final year of study with Natural Academy, between November 2004 - February 2025, I am offering ecotherapy sessions at a reduced cost. If you'd like to chat further before deciding if we are good fit, please feel free to get in touch. I offer a free 30 minute 'exploring ecotherapy' phone call, or zoom as you prefer, offering you the chance to talk about what you hope to gain from your ecotherapy experience.
Locations:
Ecotherapy sessions are held in tranquil, ancient woodlands across the Hay-on-Wye, Brecon and Rhayader areas. I also offer monthly 1-1 sessions near Bristol.
I can also offer a blend of in-person and online sessions via Zoom.
Time Commitment:
I offer 60 minute sessions on a weekly basis and 90 minute sessions on a fortnightly basis. To begin with, I recommend that we work together over six weekly sessions and then decide together what would be most supportive for you on your current journey.
During our time together we will create intervals to reflect on how our sessions are going, witness what is naturally unfolding, as well as remain humble to any limitations that may arise from working together. Working in this way can support our sessions to become fertile and generative spaces for you to sense into the parts of yourself that are longing to be met within the healing embrace of nature.
My Own Practice
I am committed to my own learning and growth as a nature-based practitioner. To support me in my work I receive regular 1-1 supervision as well as attend regular peer group sessions. I am a member of the Nature and Health Practice Network, the UK body for nature-based practitioners, and follow their key standards and practitioner guidelines.
Qualifications:
Level 4 - Advanced Pathway Applied Ecopsychology and Nature-Based Practice - In Progress
Level 3 - Ecopsychology and Nature Connection Facilitator (1 year foundation training)
Further information on my background & training can be found here