Ecotherapy for mental Health

Ecotherapy is effective to promote mental health

Research suggests that even 10 minutes a day outdoors can be very beneficial. This is particularly important for a healthy development for children and young people who are increasing becoming dependant on screen and technology and may be reluctant to go outdoors and connect with nature.

I am an experienced clinically trained psychotherapist so this allows me to combine my knowledge and skills about mental health presentations such as depression, anxiety, self-harming, suicidal thoughts, neurodivergent difficulties with the healing power of nature. This is why ecotherapy is not only a way to support general wellbeing but, when delivered by clinically trained professionals, it can also address specific mental health difficulties and relational issues. Ecotherapy provides a way to reconnect with nature and experience the benefits of spending more time outdoors to improve and maintain daily wellbeing as well as a preventative measure against stress and more complex and severe mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression and chronic stress.

While ecotherapy is not a replacement for medical or psychological treatment when those are needed, it can be a valuable complementary approach.

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An integrated approach to mental health

I offer Ecotherapy as an integrative approach to mental health as it helps us to connect to nature through the senses, calms the mind and reduce stress and rumination, makes us feel grounded, it promotes emotional self-regulation and creativity.

With the help of the therapist people learn to feel safe to explore painful inner landscapes, traumatic experiences and feel able to access difficult emotions as well as savour positive emotions such as owe and wonder.

This also helps people to feel more connected to their deepest self, with a greater sense of belonging, part of the web of life and the mystery of the Universe.

Contact Chiara Santin