Ecotherapy Practices

Explore Ecotherapy as a potent way of responding to physical and mental health issues.

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Nature and Scope of Ecotherapy
   • Applications of ecotherapy
   • Ecopsychology
   • What is ecotherapy?
   • What is involved in ecotherapy
   • Using ecotherapy alongside other therapies
   • The need for mental health interventions
   • General benefits of nature on wellbeing
   • Ecotherapy settings
   • Useful terminology
2. Theory of Ecotherapy
   • General findings
   • Ecological theories
   • Problems associated with built environments
   • Models underpinning ecotherapy
   • Nature and mental health research
   • Is direct contact with nature necessary?
3. Ecotherapy Clients
   • General wellbeing benefits
   • Psychological benefits
   • Physical benefits
   • Understanding the body’s responses to stress
   • General barriers to getting involved in ecotherapy
   • How to overcome these barriers
   • Ecotherapy for mental disorders
   • Ecotherapy for physical conditions
   • Specific issues
4. Intake Assessment & Ecotherapy Resources
   • Interviewing potential clients
   • Interviewing techniques
   • Determining suitability
   • Background history
   • Choosing ecotherapy environments
5. Environment-Based Ecotherapy
   • Using the environment
   • Types of environment activities
   • Conservation projects
   • Wilderness therapy
   • Forest bathing
   • Breathing and relaxation exercises
   • Other outdoor activities
6. Plant-Based Ecotherapy
   • Physical ecotherapy activities
   • Psychological ecotherapy activities
   • Fascination therapy
   • Adventure therapy
   • Horticultural therapy
   • Using the senses
7. Animal-Based Ecotherapy
   • Bird watching
   • Pet therapy
   • Equine assisted therapy and horse riding
   • Animal habitats
   • Care farming and therapeutic farm activities
   • Interacting with wildlife
   • Using the senses
8. Indoor Ecotherapy
   • Indoor applications of ecotherapy
   • Workspaces
   • Photographs
   • Growing at home
   • Fresh flowers in the home or ecotherapy space
   • Touching nature
   • Arts and crafts
   • Creating nature indoors
   • Pets and animals indoors
9. Creativity based Ecotherapy
   • Therapeutic photography
   • Writing therapy
   • Art therapy
   • Music therapy
   • Drama therapy
   • Dance therapy
   • The benefits of creative therapies
10. Holistic Wellness incorporating Ecotherapy
    • Walking
    • Relaxation
    • Mindfulness
    • Counselling in nature
    • Combining ecotherapy with other modalities
    • Our connection with nature