Coming back to Earth.
As a society, we are living at breakneck speed, running ourselves into the ground and believing that we can consume our way to happiness.
The mainstream view that sees humans as separate from nature and sees people and planet as disposable resources is no longer working. Ecopsychology and Buddhist philosophy teach us that we are interconnected, that where one suffers, the other suffers too.
Unlike traditional psychology which focusses more on the individual, Ecopsychology shows us the bigger picture by seeing the individual within dominant systems and society as a whole.
Ecotherapy - the practical application of Ecopsychology - is a nature-based therapy that offers pathways to help us connect to the world and to our own nature. We gain a sense of belonging and a deeper understanding of the complex world we live in.
We no longer feel solely responsible to "fix" everything and much of the guilt and shame we once felt is transformed into care and compassion. We discover new ways of being in the world and are more effective in taking action.
You will be surprised how quickly your perspective shifts when we work together in partnership with nature.
Eco-anxiety.
Whether you work on environmental issues or are a concerned citizen, you may be experiencing some painful emotionsaround the state of the world.
Eco-anxiety and climate distress can be debilitating for our mental health, leading to burnout and compassion fatigue - a feeling of not being able to care anymore.
Many people find that their eco-emotions are dismissed or that people don't want to hear about it.
It's a delicate balancing act between caring enough to be effective and taking care of yourself so you don't burn out and lose touch with the joyful moments in life.
I support individuals to process their feelings around the climate and environmental emergency through Climate Circles and 1:1 coaching.
And I support teams whose work confronts them daily with the realities of trying to make change in this world.
Contact me for a 1:1 eco-anxiety coaching session or join a Climate Circle. Contact me to discuss team support, including Climate Circles and Eco-anxiety and Resilience training.
Ecotherapy.
Instinctively we know that nature is good for us and research confirms the positive impacts on our physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Ecotherapy helps us connect to nature in a deeper way. It's no longer about what nature can do for you in an exploitative way but about a reciprocal relationship with the natural world.
As we develop respect and reverence for nature, we learn to show it to ourselves too. As we look deeply into nature, it shows us what we need to learn.
We learn about cycles and ecosystems and come to see that we are part of the ecosystem, that we belong here and can help bring things into balance.
How can I describe an ecotherapy session? It's like an outdoor coaching session where we partner with nature. We look deeply into nature and let that reflect where we are and what we're working on.
I think you'll really like it.
Book a 1:1 ecotherapy session, Resilience Walk, environmental arts therapy session or join a public event or Climate Circle. For teams, contact me to discuss your needs.
Feel less alone
Immerse yourself in nature and build community with the more-than-human world.
Take effective action
Connect to a more grounded way of being so you can take engaged and effective action.
More joy and wonder
Experience a new world of fascination and possibility. Feel more joy and more peace.
At home in the world
Cut yourself some slack. It's not all on you. Nothing ever changed from a place of guilt and shame.
Deepen your connection.
Ecotherapy helps when...
✔ You care deeply about the world.
✔ You don't have a place for your climate emotions.
✔ You feel like you don't belong in mainstream society.
✔ You want to step into deeper relationship with the natural world.
✔ You would like to build your emotional resilience.
Help is available.
If you are experiencing eco-anxiety and climate distress, you are not broken and you are not alone. We are all at different stages in this process. When your worries are overwhelming, you can get stuck in survival mode which is exhausting. We work together so you can manage your fears and move forward in your life.
I need to save myself.
Sometimes it feels like you're done and you can't care anymore. Often described as compassion fatigue, feeling this way can be a real blow to the psyche and can lead to existential crisis and doom. Connecting to the world outside you through ecotherapy helps you reconnect to your sense of meaning and motivation.
Nature has your back.
Despite what we may think about being human on the planet today, nature still welcomes us into reciprocal relationship. As you learn to move respectfully in the natural world, you feel held by both the guide and the environment.
It's not airy-fairy.
It's not, I promise. I take a practical approach to being in relationship with the natural world, to giving back and finding peace within. I draw on many different practices and teachers and have trauma-informed coaching and Ecopsychology at the core of my approach.
You don't have to move to an off-grid commune.
Unless of course you want to. Ecotherapy is accessible to everyone. You don't have to feel aligned with any specific views or ways of life.
Finding stable ground.
Nature is rich with symbols and metaphors and I have found ecotherapy sessions and outdoor coaching to be very effective both for individuals and groups.
Whether you want a short break from your busy life or you have something specific to work on, I offer different ecotherapy activities to support you.
During the session, I guide you through practices to help you come back to yourself and connect more deeply to the world around you.
Being more connected to nature has changed my life in so many ways. I am grounded in myself and in this place and I notice the everyday comings and goings of nature with reverence and childlike amusement.
Would you like to try ecotherapy? Book a 1:1 outdoor coaching session or 1:1 Forest Mind or Resilience Walk. Or join a group session. For teams and community groups, book a private group session.
Let's be practical.
What is ecotherapy? Is it one set of instructions or practices?
Ecotherapy is nature-based therapy and it includes many different practices. I tailor the approach to your needs so it may include a walk and talk session, Forest Mind or forest bathing exercises, using natural objects to represent or map something out, mindful walking, gentle movement, opening the senses, finding symbols to help us put things into words, bringing our attention to the wounded places in nature... there are so many beautiful possibilities.
How much does it cost?
For a 1:1 ecotherapy session, my coaching rates apply. For teams, prices vary depending on the activity. You could book a teambuilding activity, a group walk or sharing circle in nature or a tailored intervention around a particular theme. Contact me to discuss your needs.
How long does a session last?
This depends on your needs but a 1:1 session is usually 1 hour. Longer sessions are available on request. Group sessions are usually longer.
How often are the 1:1 sessions?
This is up to you. Many people have a session every 2 weeks, more often if they need it. Outdoor sessions can be combined with indoor or online coaching sessions.
How many sessions do I need?
As many as you want. Most people sign up for a series of ecotherapy or coaching sessions. For some people, the journey goes on for years and for others, it can be a few weeks around a particular question.
Where do we meet?
There are a few different locations in Brussels, mostly parks and woods. We can discuss what works best for you. We can also meet near Leuven.
Can we meet online?
Surprisingly, yes. If we’re not able to meet in-person for ecotherapy sessions, we can meet online for coaching and include tailored ecotherapy practices for you to do between our sessions.
What if it rains? Can we still go out?
If the weather is really unfriendly then we might move to an indoor session or find another date. From a safety point of view, we only postpone if high winds make it dangerous to be in the woods. A bit of rain is not normally an issue once we get into the trees.
Do I need special equipment?
We won’t be climbing mountains so not really. I suggest wearing long sleeves and long trousers. Comfortable shoes and a raincoat are a good idea. And sun protection when needed.
Do I need to be super fit?
No, I'm not so the pace will be gentle and we don’t walk very far. If you have any challenges standing for a while or walking on uneven ground, let me know and I will adapt the session and the location to meet your needs.
