What is ecotherapy?
Because nature has the power to regenerate humankind
and humans have the power to regenerate nature,
it seemed only fitting to unite the two.
Over the past century, many researchers and authors have investigated the links between physical and mental health and contact with nature. One premise guided the research: since 99.99...% of our evolution took place in contact with nature, we are undoubtedly genetically destined to love nature (Dr Qing Li, 2018), we feel a biological need to be in contact with it and in the absence of a meaningful connection with nature, our physical and mental health suffers (E.O. Wilson, 1984).
What Science Says
Numerous research studies have shown that contact with nature can improve health. So much so, that today in Canada, doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, psycho-educators and various health professionals prescribe time in the forest (www.parkprescriptions.ca, 2023).
This research has also given rise to new approaches such as ecotherapy, of which nature-supported psychotherapy is a derivative. Ecotherapy is the practical application of ecopsychology, which focuses on the reciprocal link between humans and nature (Buzzell and Chalquist, 2009). It is also a term used to designate a therapeutic approach to psychological or psycho-social care, the specificity of which is to be practiced in interaction with nature in and around oneself. Ecotherapy seeks to re-establish the link between humans and nature, to the benefit of the health of both parties (Buzzell and Chalquist, 2009).
In my practice and the training courses I offer, ecotherapy is aimed at all clients wishing to integrate nature into their treatment plan, whether indoors or outdoors. Practised outdoors, this approach enables clients to increase their autonomy in taking charge of their therapeutic process, while developing a meaningful connection with nature and with themselves. Ecotherapy engages clients physically and emotionally.
As part of my practice and the training courses I offer, ecotherapy is aimed at all clients wishing to integrate nature into their treatment plan, whether indoors or outdoors. Practised outdoors, this approach enables clients to increase their autonomy in taking charge of their therapeutic process, while developing a meaningful connection with nature and with themselves. Ecotherapy engages clients both physically and emotionally. Certain intervention techniques can break down their defenses, support work with affect, tap into their personal resources and discover new ones, or offer a shift in perspective, thereby promoting the therapeutic process.
Frequent Asked Questions
Is it possible to see so many customers a day with ecotherapy?
Absolutely! Ecotherapy is an intervention tool that can be added to and integrated into your existing practice. If you're used to doing 50 or 60-minute one-to-one sessions in the office, you can do the same by integrating ecotherapy in the office or on the trail.
Does ecotherapy influence the pace at which clients progress?
Yes, contact with nature supports the therapeutic process and can accelerate it.
First of all, since this approach involves the body and the unconscious, it's often easier to work with affect and overcome the intellectualization in which many clients find refuge (Buzzell and Chalquist, 2009).
Secondly, being in a natural environment generates a number of cerebral reactions that support the therapeutic process. I'll mention just a few here. Forest presence reduces stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system (Li, 2018); by prompting the brain to produce compensations for toxic corticosteroids due to post-traumatic stress (Ferguson, 2015); by reducing the activity of the amygdala, which plays a role in emotional processing and the stress response (Ulrich et al., 2008); reducing cortisol and adrenaline levels (Morita et al., 2006 and Farrow, 2019); and inducing a state of gentle fascination that provides mental restoration (Li, 2018 and Ratcliffe et al., 2013). Contact with nature also reduces anger (Li, 2018) and promotes mood regulation by increasing serotonin levels in the brain (Gladwell et al. 2013) and stimulating dopamine release (Zhang et al., 21014), thus decreasing ruminations and depressed mood (Berman et al, 2012).
Ultimately, ecotherapy develops clients' autonomy, enabling them to take charge of their therapeutic process between encounters and after follow-up (Buzzell and Chalquist, 2009 and Hinde et al. 2021).
Is ecotherapy accessible to all customers?
Yes, it's always possible to adapt things to democratize access to nature for as many people as possible. Ecotherapy as I teach it is not an adventure and can be carried out with a minimum of travel. It can be practised in a garden, a backyard, an urban park, a woodland trail, etc. It can also be practised at home. It can also be practiced indoors. It's up to the professional to identify what's appropriate for each individual. Training courses offer support in this respect.
Do you have further questions?
Don't hesitate to contact me!
References
Buzzell, L & Chalquist, C. (2009). Exotherapy. Counterpoint, Berkley
Berman, M. et al. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207-1212
Ferguson, Gary (2021). Les huit enseignements majeurs de la nature pour bien vivre dans le monde. Guy Trédaniel éditeur, 237p.
Gladwell, V.F., Brown, D. K., Wood, C., Sandercock, G.R., & Barton, J.L. (2013). The great outdoors: How a green exercise environment can benefit all. Extreme Physiology & Medicine, 2(1), 3.
Hinde, S., Bojke, L., et Coventry, P. (2021). The Cost Effectiveness of Ecotherapy as a Healthcare intervention, Seperating the Wood from the Trees. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. IJERPH | Free Full-Text | The Cost Effectiveness of Ecotherapy as a Healthcare Intervention, Separating the Wood from the Trees (mdpi.com) Consulté le 14 octobre 2023.
Li, Qing, (2018). Shinrin-Yoku, L'art et la science du bain de forêt, Paris, Édition First, 2018, 309p.
Ulrich, R. S., Simons, R. F., Losito, B.D. Fiorito, E., Miles, M.A., & Zelson, M. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal or Environmental Psychology, 11(3), 201-230.
Zhang, J. W., Piff, P. K., Iyer, R., Koleva, S., & Keltner, D. (2014). An Occasion for Unselfin: Beautiful nature leads to prosociality. Jounal of Environmental Psychology, 37, 61-72.
