What is Ecotherapy?
Ecotherapy is founded on the fact that we are nature and part of nature. Our connection and relationship with the natural world, including the nature elements and animals, is just as essential as our human relationships. Psychotherapy helps you improve the connection and satisfaction of your relationships with human beings. Ecotherapy takes psychotherapy a step further, by also acknowledging the importance of navigating and strengthening our connection to the natural world. Nature and outdoor therapy allows you to improve and take better care of the the relationship with yourself, others, and the natural world.
Evidence-based studies show that Ecotherapy can help with:
Reduction of stress and anxiety
Feeling less isolated and more support
Managing unpleasant emotions
Feeling grounded, both emotional and physical
Addressing climate change and environmental grief
Processing eco-anxiety related to the environmental crisis
Depression treatment and finding purpose in life
Working through past trauma and current stressors
Managing burnout, and finding inner peace in the busyness of life
“Be the mountain / be the ocean / be the tree / be happy / be the light / be the shadow / be the rain / be you / be ”
Begin Ecotherapy in Burbank, San Fernando Valley, and LA County
What an Ecotherapy Outdoor Session in Burbank, CA and LA County Looks Like:
Before doing an outdoor session, we’ll make sure to have a few sessions indoors or virtually together to find out more about how Ecotherapy can help with your treatment goals. If we determine that you’re ready and would benefit from an outdoor session(s), we’ll prepare for a session outside. We’ll discuss the struggle or intention for session that you want to work through. We’ll also prepare logistics, such as how I’ll maintain confidentiality, where we’ll meet, what you need to bring, clothing recommendations, possible allergies and physical or medical consideration to be aware of.
We’ll meet at the chosen space outdoor for session, and shift form the busyness of everyday life into the calming and slowing down of the natural world. During session, we may walk, find a designated spot to sit, and/or stand and speak. I’ll usually lead a nature connection mindfulness exercise towards the beginning of the session. This helps to get you connected with the nature space, feel grounded, and get you in touch with your somatic senses. Then we’ll focus on your chosen struggle or topic for session, as we engage in talk therapy, mindfulness-based exercises, and somatic awareness practices. I’ll incorporate various elements of nature into helping you heal and navigate through your struggles.
As session comes to an end, we’ll speak about what you’d like to take from your experience in nature and helpful ways to incorporate that into your daily life. Maybe your relationship with a nature ally that helped you in session will be something you’ll carry with you the next time you’re struggling. Or a metaphor that you found in nature that felt grounding and regulating for you. We’ll then take a moment to transition back to the outside world that comes with a different and more busy pace. There are several ways we can make this shift, while still keeping you connected and grateful for your connection with nature.
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During Session:
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Ecotherapy - FAQs
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Being outdoors in public spaces for sessions does mean that we’ll have to consider limitations to confidentiality. Beforehand, we’ll discuss how I’ll help maintain the privacy of our sessions. For example, we may need to consider pausing our conversations during session if others are passing by on a hiking trail we’re on, or move off to the side of the trail for more privacy.
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Ecotherapy is a fit for you if you enjoy being outdoors and doing outdoor activities, such as hiking, backpacking, camping, visiting outdoor spaces, and nature walks. Ecotherapy can also be helpful if you don’t have much experience being outdoor, but are curious about fostering a greater connection with nature. Set up a free consultation with me to discuss if ecotherapy is a fit for you.
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Ecotherapy can also be done indoors, whether that be in-person and virtually. We’ll find ways to help you bring nature into your indoor space, and use guided visualization and grounding exercises that incorporate nature elements in our work together.
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We can schedule to meet for an outdoor ecotherapy session as often as you’d like. Our frequency of outdoors sessions depends on availability for outdoor sessions ,scheduling, and your treatment goals. I find that ecotherapy is best suited when used in combination with indoor talk therapy sessions.
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An ecotherapy session is 50 minutes long and costs $175 (same time and cost of in-office session). Based on your insurance provider, you may be able to get coverage for ecotherapy sessions. I’d be happy to assist you in figuring out your coverage if you’d like to use your insurance.
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Typical settings for outdoor ecotherapy sessions include: parks, meditation gardens, hiking trails, by the ocean or lake, and national parks. We’ll discuss and decide on what setting feels the best fit for our work together before we met outdoors. We can also mix up where we meet for each outdoor session, based on your preference and our goals for treatment.
Ecotherapy in Burbank, CA and throughout San Fernando Valley and LA County
“Alone with myself, the trees bend to caress me, the shade hugs my heart”
— Candy Polgar
Land Acknowledgement
I acknowledge my psychotherapy practice and my home are located in Gabrieleno-Tongva, Fernandeno Tataviam, and Chumash territories, which is so-called San Fernando Valley, California. I honor and support the ancestors and present indigenous people of the lands. I encourage you to learn more or support the indigenous tribes through the following links:
Gabrielino-Tongva Indian Tribe: https://gabrielinotribe.org/
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians: https://www.tataviam-nsn.us/
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians: https://www.santaynezchumash.org/