Readings and Discussion Post: Ecopsychology Theory and Therapy

Chalquist, C. (2009); see recommend readings on Ecopsychology,

Pope and Wedding, pp 570 – 600

Discussion Post:

What is Eco-psychology and what is involved in the practice of Eco-therapy

HERE IS THE RESPOND TO THE MAIN POST

Kian

We have finally made it to the end of semester. Congrats! We are ending our module with a discussion about eco-psychology and how it is involved with therapy today. This was a new topic for me to divulge in as I have not been exposed to this type of psychology before.

Eco-therapy consist of mutual healing and growth as it pertains to relationships in the natural world (Chalquist, 2009). In other words, it is a deep connection with the earth and the environment that surrounds you. The environment and the connection that an individual has with it can greatly affect the psychological, social, and physical well-being. The premise behind this unconventional method is that it promotes an emotional connection between humans and the world. It also aids in encouraging sustainability.

Types of Therapy

Since there is a disconnection from the natural world, a intrapsychic or intra-familial can cause psychosomatic symptoms (Chalquist, 2009). The benefit of eco-therapy is it relies heavily on a nature-based approach to healing. After all, everyone is surrounding with the world and can become interconnected with it. One method of therapy that had completely fascinated me was how horticulture therapy (HT) can assist with managing stress and obesity. Reconnecting with the world allows an individual to alleviate symptoms that is caused outside of the unnatural world (Chalquist, 2009). These symptoms can bring a larger capacity for health such as joy or social connection. Taking a walks or gardening can help improve psychological symptoms. In fact, gardening can be become cathartic for individuals who feel a sense of isolation. This is a great way to lessen those effects especially in an elderly population.

Another type of treatment modality that aids in reconnection with the world are animal assisted therapy. This type of therapy aids in rehabilitation, recovery, and healing in clients with different diseases (acute or chronic). Since animals provide a calm sensation, this will distract the attention from the distressing situation and move toward providing a comforting and pleasurable feeling.  Like horticulture therapy, animal-assisted therapy has been positively effective with the elderly as well. According to Chalquist (2009), Alzheimers patients who were aggressive, and hostile had a decrease in these negative traits when a dog came visiting them.

This emerging field of eco-psychology and eco-therapy has benefits to the individuals that incorporates a connectedness and oneness with nature. This holistic view in psychotherapy will help foster mood improvement and an overall positive mental well-being.

Reference

Chalquist, C. (2009). A look at the ecotherapy research evidence. Ecopsychology, 1(2), 64-74. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2009.0003

Readings and Discussion Post: Ecopsychology Theory and Therapy

Chalquist, C. (2009); see recommend readings on Ecopsychology,

Pope and Wedding, pp 570 – 600

Discussion Post:

What is Eco-psychology and what is involved in the practice of Eco-therapy

HERE IS THE RESPOND TO THE MAIN POST

ANGS

According to Chalquist (2009) Ecotherapy is an umbrella term that encompasses horticultural therapy, wilderness excursions, stress management and some animal-assisted therapy.  These therapies, although potentially outside the norm, connects people psychologically to the world in which they live.  There is a nexus between ecotherapy and biological or anthropological approaches to holistic health of humans.  Chalquist (2009) discusses the history of our modern world, our industrialization and our move indoors and away from nature.  Many factors can lead to our disconnection with the natural world and an increase in mental health problems.  Empirical data has shown that people who garden, walk, ran, cycled or get involved in conservation activities report benefits to their mental health (Chalquist, 2009).

Urban developers must have taken note of this evidence as more modern cities are being built to be inclusive of environmental elements.  Bratman et. al (2019) presented a growing body of empirical evidence that revealed the importance of nature on mental health.  They present a framework for city planners and municipalities to integrate nature into building plans and policies.  Even videos and sounds of nature played indoors can impact cognitive performance and an overall feeling of wellbeing.

According to Roszak (1996), therapists can often forget to make use the calming resource of nature.  Ecopsychologists have begun to detect in people evidence of an unspoken grieving for the great environmental losses the world is suffering (Roszak, p. 1).  Roszak (1996) continues and suggests that the need for nature is relative to Freuds reality principle, which designates an objective order to things.  Even though Freud didnt include nature in his reality principle, Roszak (1996) argues that Ecopsychology is seeking to expand his definition of sanity to include a need and love for the planet like that for a mother or father. 

References

Bratman, G. N., Anderson, C. B., Berman, M.G., Cochran, B., de Vries, S., Flanders, J., Folke, H., Gross, J. J., Hartig, T., Kahn, P. H., Kuo, M., Lawler, J., Levin, P. S., Lindahl, T., Meyer-Lindenberg, A., Mitchell, R., Ouyang, Z., Roe, J., Scarlett, L., Smith, J. R., van den Bosch, M., Wheeler, B. W., White, M. P., Zheng, H., Daily, G. C., (2019). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances.  https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/advances/5/7/eaax0903.full.pdfLinks to an external site.

Chalquist, C. (2009). A Look at the ecotherapy research evidence. Ecopsychology. 1(2), 64-75.  doi:10.1089/eco.2009.0003.  (Saybrook University library: Mary Ann Liebert database.)

Roszak, T., (1996). The Nature of Sanity. Psychology Today.  https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/articles/199601/the-nature-sanity