ECOPSYCHOLOGY
Greensong offers tailored, inspiring experiences to deeply connect people with our natural world for the health and regeneration of self, community, and our natural world.
What is Ecopsychology?
Ecopsychology means the study of the soul or mind in relation to our home, the Earth.
The word Ecopsychology comes from:
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"Eco" comes from the Greek word oikos, meaning home, dwelling or household.
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"Psychology" comes from the Greek psyche (soul, mind) and logos (study, discourse).
Ecopsychology is NOT conventional psychology and Deb is NOT a psychologist.
Ecopsychology is a term founded by Theodore Roszak and stems from the belief that human beings are Nature and not separate from our natural world.
“The core insight of ecopsychology is that there is a synergistic relation between planetary and personal well-being.”
"Ecopsychology holds that there is a synergistic interplay between planetary and personal well-being." In his book The Voice of the Earth: An Exploration of Ecopsychology (1992) Theodore Roszak writes; 'Its goal is to bridge our culture’s long-standing, historical gulf between the psychological and the ecological, to see the needs of the planet and the person as a continuum. In search of greater sanity, it begins where many might say sanity leaves off: at the threshold of the nonhuman world.' "Other therapies seek to heal the alienation between person and person, person and family, person and society. Ecopsychology seeks to heal the more fundamental alienation between the person and the natural environment.” - Theodore Roszak, 1993
Greensong Ecopsychology
Ecopsychology is both a field of inquiry and a practice aimed at healing the alienation between humans and nature. Greensong was founded in 2012 following studies in Applied Ecopsychology and Eco-Art Therapy with Project NatureConnect and associated universities from 2012 -2017.
Deb incorporates ecopsychology as a life-way in all aspects of current employment, workshops and consulting positions within health and wellbeing, educational, environmental, and conservation practices.
Deb utilizes Ecopsychology and Eco-Art Therapy methods in programs, individual and group sessions with people who wish to:
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Explore creative expression.
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Understand the benefits of nature and feel more balanced, relaxed, healthier, or rejuvenated.
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Enquire into interconnected relationships with the self as part of the whole.
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Learn more about plants, food systems, growing a garden, sustainable practices, and supporting our local environment.
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Engage in S.O.S sacred activism, process thoughts and feelings about climate, ecological & societal decline: Ie. anxiety, depression, despair, guilt, feelings of being overwhelmed/powerless.
Nature-Guided Walks and Nature Mindfulness Group Ecotherapy are offered and designed as a mini-escape from our everyday busy lifestyles. By exploring the ecological self through practices, we can shift the perspective from a human DOing to a human BEing. Participants are guided with practices to deeply tune into the local natural world that surrounds where we live, work or play. Deb often guides participants with an applied ecopsychology practice called The Natural Systems Thinking Process (NSTP) where the participant often gains a deeper understanding of the therapeutic benefits of being in and with nature.
Read more about how Ecopsychology may be applied
“The individual practice was helpful in allowing me to feel my connection with nature. I was reminded about the inherent gifts that I have and I receive from Nature, which is empowering. I would want to do this practice regularly. I have support from nature and the environment to help me cope. Thank you Deb. It really helped me to calm down.... The exercise gave me a focused way to have more nature engagement with what’s around me.” - Participant
What is ecotherapy?
Ecotherapy is participating in an activity in nature with an aim of a therapeutic outcome.
“Ecotherapy is an umbrella term for nature-based methods of physical and psychological healing.” - International Association for Ecotherapy
Ecotherapies may be prescriptive, educational and/or an experiential practice to engage participants with nature for greater health and wellbeing. Practices are repeatable and practical fostering a deeper connection to selves, our community and natural world.
You may find applied ecopsychology elements interwoven within these modes: deep ecology, therapeutic horticulture, horticulture therapy, wilderness therapy, rewilding, transpersonal therapy, sacred ecology, spiritual ecology, adventure therapy, bush therapy, outdoor therapy, green care, forest therapy, forest bathing, nature-based therapy/counseling, outdoor healthcare, nature-reconnecting, nature mindfulness, nature meditation, shamanism, systems thinking, quantum theories, nature psychotherapy, animal-assisted therapy, and/or other nature-based therapies.