Ecotherapy
Walk and Talk Therapy
Ecotherapy involves using nature to support your mental health. Our objective is to reconnect with nature to bring more meaning and balance to your life, at the same time as utilising evidence-based approaches to address mental health concerns.
We can chat while we take a gentle stroll along Marcoola Beach. Or, we can embrace the beauty of the Sunshine Coast parks while exploring whatever issues are emerging for you. Another option is to walk from my Ocean Street counselling office down along the Maroochy River and out to the beach. While we walk, we can use the natural influences around us to guide your therapy.
For example, on a recent walk and talk, a piece of forked driftwood stood out. Using this inspiration, we explored the relationship between the driftwood and the different paths (or options) we had been talking about.
I can also guide you through indoor nature-based therapeutic activities if the weather doesn’t suit.
Let’s Connect
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“Those who contemplate the beauty of earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” – Rachel Carson
What is Ecotherapy?
Ecotherapy is when we use nature as an intervention to improve our mental and physical health. Some ways we can include ecotherapy techniques include:
- walking in nature
- ‘forest bathing’
- mindfulness in nature (sit-spot)
- hiking
- working in a garden
- star-gazing
- looking at nature images
- listening to nature sounds
- making things from natural products
- smelling flowers or nature-based smells
The idea is to reconnect with nature to feel happier and healthier. Research shows that ecotherapy can improve your mental and physical health. It can reduce symptoms associated with PTSD, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and chronic pain.
Ecotherapy can give you more clarity in your thinking. And, it’s a great way to feel calmer and more centred in your life.
Check out the TED Talk video here to learn more.
Scientific Benefits of Ecotherapy
1. Ecotherapy improves Your Mental Health and Emotional Well-being
Ecotherapy has a calming effect. Research shows positive results for reducing anxiety, depression, stress, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Nature-based therapies are also documented to help people regulate their emotions and improve their mood.
2. Increase Your Physical Health and Reduce Your Stress with Ecotherapy
Connecting with nature outdoors has many physical health benefits. Just 10 minutes in the sun has a huge flow-on effect. The Vitamin absorption supports your immune system, is associated with reducing weight, and improves your sleep. Ecotherapy also significantly improves the recovery of those who have had medical procedures. Whatismore, ecotherapy has even been linked to an extended length of life.
3. Ecotherapy Strengthens Your Connection and Belonging
The natural world is a great teacher. There are many ways in which nature can guide us in understanding growth and healing. Being mindful in nature is a great way to strengthen our sense of self as part of a great ecosystem. And, with an experienced psychologist guiding you, these experiences can be even more enhanced. (The well-evidenced benefits of ecotherapy)
Ecotherapy
Walk and Talk
If you love walking along our Sunshine Coast beaches, rivers or parks, we can meet at your favourite Sunshine Coast spot for our ecotherapy session.
We could stroll along a quiet beach while we chat. Or, we can walk for an agreed-upon time and then find the perfect spot to chat.
Whichever way suits you, we’ll connect with our environment and use it to guide our mental growth.
Ecotherapy
On the Spot
We can meet at an agreed location with a view that we can connect to.
This could be at my office with a view of the river and a Sunshine Coast mountain. We can catch up in a park where we can sit and chat.
While chatting, we can use nature-based props to explore mindfulness and ecotherapy.
Ecotherapy
Parks and Gardens
Taking a walk through wooded areas provides so many opportunities to learn and grow from nature. With an abundance of beautiful parks and gardens on the Sunshine Coast, the options are endless.
Using my years of experience as a psychologist, we can find answers while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Nature Based Ecotherapy
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