A growing body of evidence demonstrates that direct exposure to nature is good for our psychological and emotional health, yet the focus of most traditional therapies stops at the urban boundary. This workshop focuses on broadening and deepening the practice of psychotherapy by extending the psychotherapeutic context to include the natural world in which we live.
Participants will survey the empirical evidence in support of ecotherapeutic practices, discuss the triadic relationship of therapist, client, and nature, and discuss ethical considerations associated with ecotherapy.
Learning Objectives:
After participating in this workshop, you will be able to integrate ecotherapy practices into your office or agency setting by:
- Learning specific questions to expand intake interviews that account for the human-nature relationship
- Making use of nature metaphor and imagery in a therapeutic context
- Assigning nature-based homework to clients
- Making use of a Nature Language (an articulation of human/nature interaction patterns) to deepen and strengthen your therapeutic work with clients
- Understanding the value of adding natural elements into your office setting
Instructor: Patricia Hasbach, Ph.D.
Patricia Hasbach, Ph.D. is a clinician in private practice in Eugene, Oregon; a facultymember at Lewis & Clark College and Antioch University Seattle; and a consultant and trainer on various topics related to the human-nature relationship.