What is Ecotherapy

Somewhere along the way, our stories in Western civilization have been written to lead us to believe we are separate from nature.  We are not separate from nature.  Yet most of us behave daily as if we are separate.  Individualism and capitalism so greatly valued in American society keeps us moving in the direction of living in separate abodes, protected from the elements, and busy with our jobs.  When I ask people what they like to do with their “free time”, top of the list tends to be just about any activity outdoors.  We crave being outside with nature any chance we get.

Ecotherapy is the intentional engagement with nature for the purpose of physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Ecotherapy is an umbrella term which includes forest therapy, nature therapy, forest bathing, earthing, grounding, wilderness therapy, animal assisted therapy, horticulture therapy, Shinrin-Yoku, Sami-Lok, therapeutic farming, green exercises, nature based art therapy, nature based yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, and more.

Research shows ecotherapy decreases symptoms associated with PTSD, ADHD, depression and anxiety.It helps with dementia, obesity, decreasing pain, improving medical recovery, and improving mood modification.  It is well proven that increased screen time worsens symptoms associated with ADHD while connection with nature improves those very symptoms. Connection with nature helps people co-regulate their nervous system back to baseline.  When our nervous system is at baseline (not amped up and not dipping down low), we are better able to connect with others, maintain healthy relationships, and we can better access our creativity, our joy, and critical thought processes, and decision making skills.  Ecotherapy helps reduce stress, increase the ability to focus, improve mood, and improve one’s overall sense of wellbeing.  

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has committed the past 20 years of my life to supporting healing and transformative growth, I find the greatest healing happens with a combination of therapeutic transformative and healing modalities coupled with intentional integration and co-regulation in nature.  The healing and growth that can occur with the guidance of a therapist, coach or facilitator is better sustained when people find their own deeply personal relationship with Nature.  It is a soul deep need to turn to our Earth and the natural world around us to mend a broken heart, to seek the strength to keep going, to feel held and nurtured, and to seek guidance and companionship when we feel lost and alone. Just waking up and tuning into the songs of the birds can make the rest of the day better.  Watching the sunrise can bring a sense of inner peace.  Visiting a creek or body of water can help release the heaviness of stress, depression, anxiety, etc.

The healing and pure “feel good” effects are immense for engaging in something that can be so simple.  It can be as simple as sitting at the creekside, building a balancing rock stack, laying in the grass, walking barefoot, gazing into a fire.  Ecotherapy includes a list of infinite possibilities.  

Here at Full Moon Farm Collective we offer Ecotherapy workshops which integrate ecotherapy activities with Circle.  This gives people the opportunity to open up and connect with others in ways that typical socializing doesn’t offer.  We invite people to share what’s on their heart, witness each other's vulnerability, and receive care and company without judgment.  There is no pressure to share, and always the option to pass.  Then we offer a variety of activities to guide the group to commune with nature as a group and individually in meaningful ways.  

All participants have reported a significant decrease in stress, anxiety, and depression as a result of the ecotherapy workshops.  They report increased feelings of contentment, joy, and connection as a result of their experience at our ecotherapy workshops.  Here is some feedback participants have provided about our Ecotherapy workshops:

• “I got to be vulnerable with people I don't know on a deep level already, which allowed me to open up to connection and see that I'm not the only one feeling the ways I feel.”

• “The workshop was very healing and supportive. It felt good to reconnect with nature in such an intentional way. Took me out of my mental chatter.”

• “Restorative, a chance to pause from the chaos of life. Connection with the elements, my inner world and other humans.”

• “Meeting like minded people brings hope. Taking hours for "me" is okay.”

• “I loved it. I feel revitalized and full of love. We are all unique; we are all the same.”

• “This workshop was really great, it was powerful & connecting. I worked on release and anger expression.”

• “It was wonderful. I was able to release things I didn't know were there and connect with myself and my environment.”

• “I was nervous about being with a group of people I didn’t know and the uncertainty of what to expect, but I am glad that I took a chance. I discovered a lovely group of people and the security of having a well facilitated group experience. I felt more hopeful for the world and less afraid of other people. I felt safe.”

Stay tuned through the Full Moon Farm Collective website, newsletter, and social media on Instagram and Facebook for future Ecotherapy workshops, which on average are offered on a monthly basis.