Ecotherapy is a rapidly growing field as increasing numbers of psychological and cultural leaders are inspired to address the urgent need for healing the wounded human-nature relationship. Exciting new ideas from theorists, therapists, researchers and educators are now expanding our perspectives and practices. This course will offer live online presentations by a stellar array of cutting-edge ecotherapy pioneers, spotlighting their latest thinking and work. Following these presentations, students can engage in live Q&A with these experts (which will also be recorded.) Additionally, students can attend live, online peer consultation groups facilitated by an ecotherapy specialist, each week to help them discuss and integrate their learnings.
This course is designed to inspire you to create or expand your own ecotherapy thinking and practice. By introducing you to the latest ideas from cutting-edge authors and practitioners, it will prepare you to address current challenges in the field and in your local and online personal and professional communities; create and present your own material; educate colleagues and students in your area and beyond; create and present your own innovative practices and publications.
What’s the difference between ecopsychology and ecotherapy?
Ecopsychology and ecotherapy are intimately connected with each other. Ecopsychology is the field that studies the relationship between the human psyche and the rest of nature in which it is embedded. It explores where, when and how this relationship degenerated in our era to its present disastrous condition – and how that might be remedied. Ecotherapy focuses on the practicalities of healing that relationship at both individual and collective levels.
The study of ecopsychology is critically important basic knowledge for ecotherapy practitioners; and deep nature-connection practices are core to the insights, research and philosophical-political understandings of ecopsychology.
We highly recommend that students interested in these topics consider taking advanced certificate courses in both fields.
Program Description
This unique program, offered online over 13 weeks, is taught by a stellar group of cutting-edge thinkers and practitioners in the rapidly evolving field of ecotherapy. Whether you are a licensed clinician or health care practitioner interested in expanding your current healing practice to include nature-connection therapies, or an educator, guide, coach, social worker, public health expert, artist or community activist, this extensive exploration of the latest thinking in ecotherapy will offer new approaches and creative ideas and activities to pursue. Ecotherapy focuses on the synergy between human well-being and the health of the planet, so this course also addresses the importance of the psychological and social justice issues raised by the rapidly degenerating human-nature relationship.
Because the practices and ideas of ecotherapy are open to everyone, this Certificate neither requires nor confers a license or degree. It will be of interest to everyone looking for a more holistic and engaged way forward. The Certificate offers a range of readings, lectures, weekly reflections, and live sessions, so participants will need to make sufficient space in their schedules to learn as much as they can over the 13 weeks.
Program Format
Each week you will learn from:
- Spotlight Learning Sessions – 90 minute, live online Learning Sessions with cutting-edge ecotherapists and ecotherapy experts
- Peer Consultation Sessions – 90 minute, live online group peer consultation sessions facilitated by an ecotherapy practitioner.
- Online Written Discussion Forum – Share your thoughts, questions, resources with the other participants and instructors in this private, online forum
- Recommended Readings/Videos/Resources
All live sessions will be recorded for those who cannot attend a given week. Assignments include indoor and outdoor exercises designed to deepen learning and enrich nature connection.
Live Expert Spotlight Learning Sessions Schedule
Tuesday Evenings, 5:00 – 6:30 PM PST
Tues., August 8th, 2023
How Ecotherapy is Rapidly Evolving, Linda Buzzell
Tues. August 15th, 2023
The Latest Advances in Equine Facilitated Wellness, Kate Burns
Tues. August 22nd, 2023
Recovery from Eco-Narcissism, Jeanine Canty
Tues. August 29th, 2023
The Evolved Nest: Nature’s Wellness-Informed Approach to Living, Darcia Narvaez
Tues. Sept. 5th, 2023
Beauty Might Just Save the Earth (or at Least Your Life on Earth), Trebbe Johnson
Tues. Sept. 12th, 2023
Our Relationship with the Sacred, Pegi Eyers
Tues. Sept. 19th, 2023
How to Incorporate Ecotherapy into an Existing, Conventional Psychotherapy Practice, Jen Udler
Tues. Sept. 26th , 2023
Lauren Schneider
Tues., Oct. 3rd, 2023
Rosalind Watts
Tues. Oct. 10th, 2023
Encountering “Ecological Emotions” and Eco-Anxiety, Panu Pihkala
Tues. Oct. 17th, 2023
Community Ecopsychology: Moving Beyond Psychology’s Individualistic Focus, Carol Koziol
Tues. Oct. 24th, 2023
“Creating Spaces for Collective Healing”, LaUra Schmidt
Tues. Oct. 31st 2023
Mary-Jayne Rust *This session will run from 9:00 – 10:30 AM due to international time zone of the presenter