Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind

by Linda Buzzell, Craig Chalquist, PhD, PhD

In the 14 years since Sierra Club Books published Theodore Roszak, Mary E. Gomes, and Allen D. Kanner's groundbreaking anthology, Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind, the editors of this new volume have often been asked: Where can I find out more about the Psyche-world connection? How can I do hands-on work in this area? Ecotherapy was compiled to answer these and other urgent questions.

Ecotherapy, or applied ecopsychology, encompasses a broad range of nature-based methods of psychological healing, grounded in the crucial fact that people are inseparable from the rest of nature and nurtured by healthy interaction with the Earth. Leaders in the field, including Robert Greenway, and Mary Watkins, contribute essays that take into account the latest scientific understandings and the deepest indigenous wisdom. Other key thinks, from Bill McKibben to Richard Louv to Joanna Macy, explore the links among ecotherapy, spiritual development, and restoring community. As mental-health professionals find themselves challenged to provide hard evidence that their practices actually work, and as costs for traditional modes of psychotherapy rise rapidly out of sight, this book offers practitioners and interested lay readers alike a spectrum of safe, effective alternative approaches backed by a growing body of research.

Genres: Psychology, Nature, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Counselling, Ecology, Personal Development

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Peaches · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an assigned reading for a class I had back in 2017 and I remember not liking it, but I'm writing a co-authored book chapter on ecowriting and thought I'd pick it up again. I feel like the chapters rely more on the authors' experiences than strategies and, for the second time, I did not enjoy it overall.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The power of nature to heal is underrated. This book affirmed my grief related to the destruction of our planet at the gain of humans. Yet it also gave me hope for a new path forward.

[Rae Slezak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found it difficult to get through this one for some reason. I did enjoy it, topics can be heavy but some of the essays were really beautiful. It is a little dated now, Indigenous was not capitalized throughout and there was some stuff I would consider cultural appropriation in there. Overall though I did enjoy it, I would suggest skipping over the essays that aren’t of interest. I am grateful to this book for introducing me to ways that i can incorporate ecotherapy/sense of belonging in the world with future clients.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am disappointed with this book. I bought it with the intention of learning how to incorporate being outside into my social work practice. Although some essayists were mental health professionals, they primarily touched less on their practice and more on climate justice. Absolutely, our natural environment can impact our mental health, and the conditions can be a sign of privilege or marginalization. However, this book is tailored more to mental health professionals who want to engage in climate advocacy rather than using the outdoors as a part of their therapeutic practice.

[Björn Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a collection of stories from different professionals that work with nature in various settings. I think it's not necessary to read the whole book to get the general message. However, I liked to read all of them and will certainly go back to refresh some of the learnings.

Disclaimer: This is also not a book for everyone and I can imagine some folks to be put off by some examples. So, if the reader is looking to find inspiration with an open heart and mind, it is worth reading it or at. Least pick a chapter that attracts them.

[Emmakate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very informative and inspirational book. It’s a book of essays which is usually not my jam but I enjoyed the different expertises and perspectives on how to integrate and ecological mindset with psychology. I love this topic and will definitely be reading more about it!

[Rebecca Gilmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and educational! Loved the short chapters but the last few dragged on for me. Interesting essays to change perspectives for sure!

[Farida El-gueretly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - particular Chapter 2 - although I found some chapters to be quite redundant. But all in all, I found it to be a great introductory read to a developing field of healing via nature.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh, I like this compilation of essays on ecotherapy and ecopsychology...glad I assigned it in my new ecopsychology seminar. Consistently thoughtful and thought-provoking. But it's clinical and theoretical, not empirical, for the most part.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book on a crucial and timely subject. I have no formal background in psychology OR ecology, but I still got a lot out of this book, and I think it helped me understand myself better.

[Armen Shirvanian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells a lot about using nature or natural settings to help heal people and ourselves. I read some of it while walking through park trails too, so it was a great experience.