Nature-based therapies utilise an experiential connection with nature as a major part of the personal change process. An umbrella term for a whole range of nature-based therapies is Ecotherapy.
Ecotherapy draws its ideas from both modern and ancients practices. Many native cultures today still use a harmonious relationship with nature, to heal, physically, mentally and spiritually. In native cultures, the shaman would in effect be the equivalent of our modern doctor, psychotherapist and counsellor. Unlike us, our ancestors would have seen little or no separation between themselves and the natural world they lived in.
A considerable amount of research has been conducted into nature-based healing and personal development practices. There is now much evidence to suggest that developing a connection with nature can can produce many psychological benefits. These findings are being integrated with modern therapeutic practices under the umbrella term of ‘ecotherapy.’ It is a selection of these practices that are used during my own ecotherapy workshops and one-to-one sessions.
Why do we need ecotherapy?
In industrialised countries we now spend more than 90% of our time indoors. To make matters worse only a small percentage of our time outdoors is actually spent in a natural environment. As a result our modern society has become increasingly disconnected from the natural world.
For millennia we have existed in a very close relationship with the natural world, and have been intrinsically connected to the rhythms of our natural environment, from our water and food, to the changing of the seasons. Human evolution has been so closely intertwined with our environment, that our need for a relationship with nature must reside in our very genes. Our genetic make-up has barely changed over the last 10000 years: an almost insignificant change of 0.005%. Therefore it would seem that despite our modern society and technological advancements, we are still genetically hard-wired to need to co-exist in close relationship with the natural environment.
We are drawn almost unconsciously to activities which involve the natural environment. I’m sure it is no accident that many of us take our holidays in areas of natural beauty, such as mountains beaches and forests. Research suggests that our relationship with nature positively affects our emotional well-being, human identity and personal fulfilment.
It is now believed by many researchers that our modern society’s disconnection from the natural world and our in-built need to relate to it, can create a series of internal mental conflicts, which can give rise to behavioural, emotional, and addictive problems.
There is a strong need for us to find a way to resolve these internal conflicts by finding a way to re-integrate nature back into our lives.
A Potential Solution
The use of nature to heal and enhance our well-being, physically, mentally and spritually, has been around probably as long as humans have existed. Man has only relatively recently become more disconnected and isolated from the natural world. In our modern society, that in-built need for relationship with nature has become disrupted, leaving us unbalanced and open to a variety of mental and emotional problems.
It has been shown by different researchers that just spending time outdoors in green space can have significant benefits on your mental, physical and spiritual well-being. This can be as simple as spending some time sitting in your local park, or garden, or with a pet, or going for a walk by the sea. If your issues are more severe, such as depression, anxiety, addictions, low self esteem or confidence then it would be worth seeking out the help of a professional and experienced ecotherapist.
Nature-based therapies such as Equine-Assisted Therapy, Wilderness Therapy, Nature Awareness, Pet-Assisted Therapy, Green Therapy, Horticultural Therapy and Walking Therapy, all deliberately take this concept much further by actively utilising a connection with nature as part of the personal change process to enhance your psychological and spiritual health and well-being.
Ecotherapy and Traditional Talking Therapies
Compared to many traditional talking therapies, ecotherapy is often focused much more heavily on experiential learning. Participants learn through engagement, and immersing themselves in the environment and activities, as well as by talking about and sharing their insights and experiences.
The aim is to help you to…
1. challenge your unhelpful thought patterns and perceived limitations, and develop insight into your own strengths, through the use of the natural environment and challenging nature-based activities.
2. develop a deeper understanding of how you relate to others, yourself, and your life, by reflecting on any symbolic or metaphorical relationships between the nature-based activities and your own life
3. process your new understandings through self reflection activities and by sharing your insights with others in a relaxed, constructive, supportive, non-judgemental environment.
4. help you to integrate your new understandings so that they become available in your everyday life.
Could nature-based personal development work for you?
The idea of sitting in a consulting room with a therapist is not appealing for some people even though they could benefit from it. If you would prefer to learn by doing and being, rather than talking and analysing and you are someone who has a keen interest in nature, and you love the great outdoors then nature-based therapies and coaching could be worth investigating.
To find out more about Nigel Magowan and his ecotherapy and coaching visit his website www.ecotherapy.eu Nigel is an nature-based therapist and psychotherapist who regularly works with people who have anxiety, confidence, depression and addiction issues.
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