UK ecopsych event

[Mary-Jayne Rust]

Dear All,

I’m interested to know what you might think of the term ‘ecopsychotherapy’? On the one hand I’m tired of the prefix ‘eco’ being put onto everything.

However, despite my misgivings, I’m using it because I think the term ‘ecotherapy’ has become known for the many forms of therapy outdoors. And yes, I know some ecotherapists work in and out, but I’m also thinking of how the frame of psychotherapy needs to change: it’s not just a case of how you deal with instances of when a client brings their climate anxiety, or their grief about their dog dying – it’s the whole way we perceive the world. So I guess I’m using it to try and bring this perspective more into mainstream psychotherapy. Thoughts?

 

Please forward this info/link to anyone you think might be interested.

Thanks

Mary-Jayne

 

http://www.confer.uk.com/earth.html

 

Eco-Psychotherapy: Therapy with the earth in mind

With Psychotherapist Mary-Jayne Rust

 

Saturday 11 May 2019 – London, UK

As the reality of climate change is now sinking into mainstream society, people are beginning to suffer from "climate anxiety" and "climate grief". While many of us declare that we "love nature", we are also part of a system which is poisoning and destroying much of life on earth. This grave reality can trigger strong feelings such as overwhelm, guilt, rage, grief, impotence and fear which clients may bring to sessions in a variety of ways. While climate change has become the focus of concern, it is part of a much bigger story about our dysfunctional relationship with the rest of nature, in which we humans see ourselves as separate from, and superior to, the more-than-human world. Psychotherapy has grown out of this worldview; as an urban profession we see our suffering and healing only in the context of human relationships. Yet, if we listen, we will hear stories of love and loss in our relationships with the land, animals, plants and more. We also continue to struggle with a very ambivalent relationship with ourselves as animals. 

This day will be a chance to look at the main themes of eco-psychotherapy, including a variety of examples from therapy practice. There will be a mix of discussion, supervision and sharing.