Ecotherapy Practice
Ecotherapy involves the integration of nature or the natural environment with other kinds of therapy or care-related businesses.
The practice of ecotherapy recognises the wide range of benefits that the natural world can offer to a person's general health and well-being. Ecotherapy includes treatments like horticultural therapy, pet therapy, forest bathing and a wide range of nature-basedactivities.
This course is designed to give you a detailed understanding of the full range of practices linked to ecotherapy and the evidence to support their effectiveness and treatment for both psychological and physical conditions.
How do you practice ecotherapy?
Ecotherapy can be practiced professionally as part of an existing holistic health,
psychotherapeutic, outdoor, or adventure-based business. It can also be integrated into
self-care and personal development activities.
Course Outline
Lesson 1: Nature and Scope of Ecotherapy
o Applications of ecotherapy
o Ecopsychology
o What is ecotherapy?
o What is involved in ecotherapy?
o Using ecotherapy alongside other therapies
o The need for mental health interventions
o General benefits of nature on wellbeing
o Ecotherapy settings
o Useful terminology
Lesson 2: Theory of Ecotherapy
o General findings
o Ecological theories
o Problems associated with built environments
o Models underpinning ecotherapy
o Nature and mental health research
o Is direct contact with nature necessary?
Lesson 3: Ecotherapy Clients
o General wellbeing benefits
o Psychological benefits
o Physical benefits
o Understanding the body’s responses to stress
o General barriers to getting involved in ecotherapy
o How to overcome these barriers
o Ecotherapy for mental disorders
o Ecotherapy for physical conditions
o Specific issues
Lesson 4: Intake Assessment & Ecotherapy Resources
o Interviewing potential clients
o Interviewing techniques
o Determining suitability
o Background history
o Choosing ecotherapy environments
Lesson 5: Environment-Based Ecotherapy
o Using the environment
o Types of environment activities
o Conservation projects
o Wilderness Therapy
o Forest bathing
o Breathing and relaxation exercises
o Other outdoor activities
Lesson 6: Plant-Based Ecotherapy
o Physical ecotherapy activities
o Psychological ecotherapy activities
o Fascination therapy
o Adventure therapy
o Horticultural therapy
o Using the senses
Lesson 7: Animal-Based Ecotherapy
o Bird watching
o Pet therapy
o Equine assisted therapy and horse riding
o Animal habitats
o Care farming and therapeutic farm activities
o Interacting with wildlife
o Using the senses
Lesson 8: Indoor Ecotherapy
o Indoor applications of ecotherapy
o Workspaces
o Photographs
o Growing at home
o Fresh flowers in the home or ecotherapy space
o Touching nature
o Arts and crafts
o Creating nature indoors
o Pets and animals indoors
Lesson 9: Creativity based Ecotherapy
o Therapeutic photography
o Writing therapy
o Art therapy
o Music therapy
o Drama therapy
o Dance therapy
o The benefits of creative therapies
Lesson 10: Holistic Wellness incorporating Ecotherapy
o Walking
o Relaxation
o Mindfulness
o Counselling in nature
o Combining ecotherapy with other modalities
o Our connection with nature
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