Simon Heath introduces ecotherapy, covering its roots in ecopsychology, walk-and-talk therapy, and ways to bring nature into sessions. You'll gain practical guidance on outdoor working, client suitability, risk, and boundaries, plus ideas for reconnecting with nature personally and professionally.
In this lecture, you will learn from counsellor and tutor Simon Heath about what ecotherapy is, and how to prepare for working outside with clients. At the end of the lecture, you will:
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This lecture is relevant even if you are not currently in a position to practise walk-and-talk therapy yourself, as Simon looks at ways of bringing nature into your counselling room to support client growth.
Simon opens the lecture by explaining what ecotherapy is, and its origins in ecopsychology – before exploring the many forms that it can take, including individual, group-based and one-to-one sessions. He describes ecotherapy in the context of many people’s disconnection from the other-than-human world, and the imbalance within us that this creates.
Ecotherapy proves a real opportunity to support people to reconnect with the world, and so to grow themselves. You will be encouraged to participate in exercises to experience the benefits of connecting with nature for yourself.
Ecotherapy in the context of counselling and psychotherapy is often known known as ‘walk-and-talk’ therapy. Simon runs through:
You will also be given tips on equipment that you may wish to carry with you, to ensure that the experience is as safe and comfortable as possible for both clients and yourself.
To continue the development of your knowledge in this area, you will take away a list of references for further reading on this growing way of working – which has mushroomed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before becoming an ecotherapy counsellor, Simon worked in a number of diverse areas including a call centre, a watermill, factories, hospitals, a prison, and he also worked as a public artist.
In 2019 he set up Counselling for Dads, an online counselling service for fathers.
Since 2016 Simon has worked for Devon Counselling College as a tutor, teaching counselling and listening skills, a job that allows him to constantly re-evaluate his working practices and explore creative counselling interventions.
When Simon is not counselling or teaching, he works as a gardener – a job that allows him to work creatively with the environment.
Simon is currently working on a community-based mentoring scheme helping people with mental and emotional health difficulties find work in the green economy.
Ecotherapy lecture overview