Angie Raza BSW, MSW, RSW, RCC
“The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need” – Richard Louv
Ecotherapy and Adventure Therapy are two common types of nature-based therapies. These therapies take to the outdoors and return to deeper connections to our natural surroundings. Similar to Ecotherapy, Adventure Therapy is rooted in growth through outdoor experiential learning, however ‘adventure’ allows for a greater level of risk and undetermined outcomes throughout this therapeutic experience (Harper, Rose & Segal, 2019).
Since man has not always lived in large heated homes, with flat screen TVs, and complex micro-computers in hand, humans retain a longing for nature to seek balance within our body, mind, and spirit. It is important to note that nature-based therapies are not new to modern day therapy or to holistic healing. These practices have been embraced in Indigenous cultures and traditions worldwide over thousands of years and are continued to this day.
Ecotherapy is an experiential therapy that incorporates clinical counselling interventions in the natural world to improve client’s growth and development while forming a mutually healing relationship between the self and nature (Harper, Rose & Segal, 2019). Ecotherapy can be used as a complimentary therapy to traditional modalities (CBT, DBT, ACT, Narrative Therapy, etc.) since it enhances the holistic healing by incorporating an experiential aspect to reach subconscious realms that those cognitive therapies cannot. Ecotherapy draws on the relationship between the self and the world around us. We humans do not live in a silo but instead within an intricate system of inter and intra-relationships which forces us to constantly interact with our environment. As technology becomes more ‘second nature’ and developed, we unfortunately become more distanced from one another and our natural world. Various studies show the importance of prioritizing time to return to the simpler, natural environment that grounds us and reconnects us back with the earth itself. Ecotherapy is not about using nature, but instead partnering with it to create and welcome a mutually beneficial therapeutic connection.
Ecotherapy offers a safe way to draw upon the natural world and apply metaphors to better understand our intrapersonal issues. For example, weather, mountains, and ocean waves can symbolize obstacles and challenges that most people can use to relate to their own struggles. Nature welcomes diversity and adversity, which can be shown objectively through metaphors like forest fires, nursing logs, and lotus flowers representing resiliency. These metaphors can help externalize the internal struggles allowing clients to feel safer and less vulnerable to talk about sensitive issues in terms of tangible objects or natural elements. Ecotherapy is suited for all ages and offers alternative ways of mindfulness through use of tangible grounding techniques and sensory processing. Ultimately by connecting people to something bigger than their own issues while creating meaning through the world around them, this promotes belonging, acceptance, purpose and connection to the self and their external environment.
Ecotherapy has been shown to reduce stress, symptoms of anxiety and depression, increase focus and self-esteem while improving physical health. Various studied have shown improvement with mental health disorders (Anxiety, Depression, PTSD), neurological disorders (social skills, ADHD, motor development), behavioural issues (hostility, aggression and violence), cognitive functioning (low IQ), emotion regulation, impulse control, and physical health issues (insomnia, Diabetes, high blood pressure) (Shin, 2007; Park, Tsunetsugu, et al., 2010; Li, 2010; Tyrvainen, Ojala et al,, 2014; pretty, Peacock, et al., 2007; Kuo & Sullian, 2001; Wells, 2000; Kamitsis & Francis, 2013).
A few studies correlated to these improvements include:
Exercise in indoor and natural outdoor environments both produced increased cognitive performance but the natural environment also contributed to significantly higher meditative and relaxed states. These gains were found to last long after the outdoor exercise, unlike with the indoor environment (Thompson Coon, Boddy, Stein, Whear, Barton, & Depledge 2011).
A study showed that improved self-esteem and mood was maximized with short durations (eg. 5 minutes) of light continuous outdoor exercise in natural environments regardless of age, gender, intensity, and other variables.
In nature, water seems to increase these benefits and have the greatest impact on younger participants (Barton, Griffin & Pretty, 2012).
Just spending time in nature, even in a state of inactivity, has been shown to improve recall of information and reduce stress (Hansmann, Hug & Seeland, 2007).
A study showed that as little as a half-hour spent in nature each week reduced girls’ prevalence of psychosomatic issues by 24% vs their peers who spent no time in nature (Piccininni, Michaelson, Janssen & Pickett, 2018).
Psychosomatic issues included depression, irritability, bad temper, feeling nervous, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, and body aches.
When prisoners sentenced to solitary confinement for 23hrs/day were allowed to spend an hour alone in the exercise area (another cellblock), they were given the option of watching a nature video during their hour of exercise. The findings revealed a 26 percent decrease in violent offenses among the inmates who watched the nature videos. After interviewing some of the inmates, it was learned that the natural scenes had a restorative value that helped with self-regulation. (Nadkarni & Hasbach, 2017)
When hospital patients were provided rooms with windows facing trees vs facing a brick wall, results showed that the group with a tree view had fewer days of hospitalization and took less analgesic than the group with a brick wall view (Ulrich, 1984).
Kids with ADHD were found to demonstrate significantly better concentration after a 20-minute walk in a nature park than in a neighbourhood or downtown. The results of walking in nature had similar effects of Ritalin (Taylor & Kuo, 2009)
Ecotherapy is inclusive and accessible to almost anyone. This unique therapy offers an alternative setting for counselling which may be more comfortable for those who find it difficult to maintain eye contact, sit still, or feel intimidated in a typical clinical setting. Additionally, Ecotherapy offers an alternative way to adhere to Covid-19 protocols without being stuck behind a screen for virtual therapy.
There are various ways one can engage in Ecotherapy. Ecotherapy can accommodate to all comfort levels. There are various indirect and direct ways to incorporate Ecotherapy into a counselling setting. For example, this could include looking at photos of natural elements, looking out of a window to greenery/green space, or bringing natural elements into the office through art, sounds, or objects. Alternatively, counsellors can take their sessions outdoors for walk and talk Ecotherapy, meandering along groomed paths or trails. Parks or natural forests can also offer wonderful spaces to engage with the natural elements and mindfulness practices.
Some Ways to Practice Ecotherapy (for leisure or clinical)
Walking the Dog (no dog needed)
Dogs are always mindful when they are taken for walks. Try to do the same and let your senses, inner compass, and curiosity guide you on an aimless walk. Pay attention and get distracted by the sounds, smells, and sights around you. Notice the weight transferring between your feet and the stability of the Earth below you. Smell those flowers. Wander down that unknown path.
Magnetic attraction
Look out the window or go on a walk and find what you feel drawn to. Notice when your eye is drawn to something or feel a spiritual pull. What attracted your attention to this sight? Are there sights that you quickly averted? Just notice the difference and reflect.
Sit Spot
Find an area surrounded by nature within 5 minutes of your home, school, or workplace. Sit there for at least 3 minutes, just letting your senses take over and your mind calm. When you find your mind drifting off by distracting thoughts or trying to be ‘productive’ (ie. Focused on plans, lists, etc.), gently return to your senses to engage in being present. Repeat to yourself, “this is serenity”. Visualize inhaling ‘peace and calm’ and exhaling ‘stress and tension”. Notice what happens to your body, mind, and spirit.
Emotional Snap
Take a picture of the weather, natural elements, flora, landscapes, or any other nature scene/object that evokes a sense of feeling or emotion. See how many emotions you can have represented by photos.
References
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Hansmann R., Hug S.M. & Seeland K. (2007). Restoration and stress relief through physical activities in forests and parks. Urban For. Urban Green. 6:213–225. doi: 10.1016/j.ufug.2007.08.004.
Rose, Kathryn & Harper, Nevin & Segal, David. (2019). Nature-based therapy: A practitioner’s guide to working outdoors with children, youth, and families.
Jo, H., Song, C., & Miyazaki, Y. (2019). Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(23), 4739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234739
Kamitsis I. & Francis A.J. (2013). Spirituality mediates the relationship between engagement with nature and psychological wellbeing. J. Environ. Psychol. 36:136–143. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.07.013.
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Taylor, A. F., & Kuo, F. E. (2009). Children with attention deficits concentrate better after walk in the park. Journal of attention disorders, 12(5), 402–409. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054708323000
Thompson Coon, J., K. Boddy, K. Stein, R. Whear, J. Barton, & M. H. Depledge. (2011). Environmental Science & Technology 45 (5), 1761-1772 doi: 10.1021/es102947t
Tyrväinen L., Ojala A., Korpela K., Lanki T., Tsunetsugu Y. & Kagawa T. (2014). The influence of urban green environments on stress relief measures: A field experiment. J. Environ. Psychol. 38:1–9. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.12.005.
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