ECOTHERAPY NEWS – Winter 2010
Healing our relationship with nature…
Ecopsychology in Action…
Psychotherapy as if the Whole Earth Mattered…
© Feb 2010 Linda Buzzell, M.A., M.F.T., PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate), Editor
Founder, The International Association for Ecotherapy
www.ecotherapyheals.com – click on “newsletter”
(pre-Spring 09 newsletter issues are archived at http://thoughtoffering.blogs.com/ecotherapy)
HEADLINES:
NY Times articles on Ecotherapy for Couples, Ecopsychology
Ecotherapy for Caregivers in Australia
Contents:
1. QUOTES OF THE MONTH: Satish Kumar, Albert Einstein
2. NEW YORK TIMES ON ECOTHERAPY FOR COUPLES: “Therapists Report Increase in Green Disputes”
3. NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE ON ECOPSYCHOLOGY: “Is There an Ecological Unconscious?”
4. CLIMATE CHANGE TO CAUSE MAJOR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS?
5. INNOVATIVE ECOTHERAPY FOR CAREGIVERS PROGRAM IN AUSTRALIA
6. ECOPSYCHOLOGY JOURNAL CALL FOR PAPERS: The Psychology of Women and the Natural Environment
7. RECOMMENDED READING: Elgin, Beckoff, Rifkin, Chalquist
8. ECOPSYCHOLOGY EVENTS, COURSES AND DEGREES
9. ON THE WEB: Cool websites to check out, including our website at www.ecotherapyheals.com and the International Community for Ecopsychology’s www.ecopsychology.org: the best source of ecopsychology info on the web!
The International Association for Ecotherapy is a virtual organization of psychotherapy clinicians, students and educators who are practicing or teaching in the new field of ecotherapy (clinical/applied ecopsychology). If you'd like to be removed from our mailing list, please contact the editor. Or if you’d like to send e-mail addresses to add, news to pass along, or your insights, please do so! Joining is absolutely free.
1. QUOTES OF THE MONTH
Consciousness is not merely a philosophical or scientific theory: it is a living reality. At this moment in time we need this realisation more than ever. We need to make a transition from an ego-centred worldview to an eco-centred worldview; from ignorant and wasteful ways of living to an elegant, simple and respectful way of living: transition from dependence on coal, nuclear and oil to a relationship with water, sun and soil; transition from a desire to control and dominate to an intention to relate, participate and celebrate. Crises and conflicts arise when we are out of touch with the reality of consciousness
~ Satish Kumar
A human being is part of the whole called by us the "universe", a part limited in time and space. He experiences his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
~Albert Einstein
2. NEW YORK TIMES STORY ON ECOTHERAPY FOR COUPLES
On January 18, 2010 the New York Times offered a story on couple disputes over green issues that included mention of the field of ecotherapy. “Therapists Report Increase in Green Disputes” by Leslie Kaufman told the story of a couple’s struggles over environmentally-friendly practices in their home and sought advice from ecopsychologists and ecotherapists as to possible explanations and solutions.
Although some in the ecopsychology community were discouraged by the seemingly trivial focus of the coverage, it was encouraging that ecopsychologist Thomas Joseph Doherty, editor of Ecopsychology Journal, and ecotherapist Linda Buzzell, editor of Ecotherapy News, were among those quoted.
Some excerpts from the article, which can be read at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/18/science/earth/18family.html :
“As awareness of environmental concerns has grown, therapists say they are seeing a rise in bickering between couples and family members over the extent to which they should change their lives to save the planet.
“In households across the country, green lines are being drawn between those who insist on wild salmon and those who buy farmed, those who calculate their carbon footprint and those who remain indifferent to greenhouse gases.
“’As the focus on climate increases in the public’s mind, it can’t help but be a part of people’s planning about the future,’ said Thomas Joseph Doherty, a clinical psychologist in Portland, Ore., who has a practice that focuses on environmental issues. “It touches every part of how they live: what they eat, whether they want to fly, what kind of vacation they want…”
“Linda Buzzell, a family and marriage therapist for 30 years who lives in Santa Barbara and is a co-editor of Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind, cautions that the repercussions of environmental differences can be especially severe for couples.
“’The danger arises when one partner undergoes an environmental ‘waking up’ process way before the other, leaving a new values gap between them,’ Ms. Buzzell said…
“Changing the family diet because of environmental concerns can be particularly loaded, Ms. Buzzell added… ‘Food is such an emotional issue,’ she said.
“Ms. Buzzell suggests that couples can overcome such differences if they treat each other gently. She advises partners who have a newfound passion for the issue to change only a few things at a time and provide lots of explanation.
“’It is like exercise,’ Ms. Buzzell said. ‘Take it slowly.’”
3. NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE ARTICLE ON ECOPSYCHOLOGY
“Is There an Ecological Unconscious?” by Daniel B. Smith appeared in the New York Times Magazine on Sunday, January 31, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/magazine/31ecopsych-t.html?emc=eta1
The author, Daniel B. Smith, answered his own question: “A branch of psychology says that there is - and that ignoring it puts not just the planet but also our minds at risk.” In a lengthy article Smith explored the current trend toward mainstreaming ecopsychology into the traditional psychology community, with extensive focus on Dr. Thomas Doherty and the new Ecopsychology journal. An important step towards general acceptance of the field of ecopsychology.
4. CLIMATE CHANGE EXPECTED TO CAUSE MAJOR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
“The knowledge of man-made climate change could in itself have adverse effects on individual psychological well-being.”
~ Lisa Page and Louise Howard
Is Climate Change driving you nuts? If so, you're not alone.
Leading mental health researchers are warning that some of the most important health consequences of climate change will be on mental health.
Dr. Lisa Page and Dr. Louise Howard from the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College in London, U.K. did a review of recent research by scientists. In an article published in Psychological Medicine online, the two mental health experts conclude that "climate change has the potential to have significant negative effects on global mental health. These effects will be felt most by those with pre-existing serious mental illness, but there is also likely to be an increase in the overall burden of mental disorder worldwide."
The researchers are concerned that mental health issues may not be adequately considered by global leaders at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen. Dr Page says: "We fear that the effects of climate change on mental health will be largely ignored, posing a tremendous risk to the mental health of millions of people in the not-too-distant future."
According to Dr Page and Dr Howard, here are some of the ways in which climate change is likely to impact mental health [abridged]:
* Natural disasters, such as floods, cyclones and droughts, are predicted to increase as a consequence of climate change. Adverse psychiatric outcomes are well documented in the aftermaths of natural disasters and include post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression and somatoform disorders.
* The needs of people with chronic mental illness have often been overlooked following disasters in favour of trauma-focused psychological interventions and yet the mentally ill occupy multiply vulnerabilities for increased mortality and morbidity at such times…
* Coastal change and increased flooding is expected to lead to forced mass migration and displacement, which will undoubtedly lead to more mental illness in affected populations.
* The knowledge of man-made climate change could in itself have adverse effects on individual psychological well-being.
This last factor is particularly concerning, as almost everyone is already affected by the endless drumbeat of negative news about the state of our local and global habitats. As a result, eco-anxiety is now a condition that more therapists are seeing in their consulting rooms -- a state of mind caused by the difficulty many of us experience as we try to absorb and respond to the ongoing, alarming reports of escalating threats to survival due to climate disruption and other environmental challenges.
L. Page and L. Howard, 'The impact of climate change on mental health (but will mental health be discussed at Copenhagen)?', 30 November 2009. Psychological Medicine online. For further information, contact: Melanie Haberstroh
44-020-784-83076
5. INNOVATIVE ECOTHERAPY FOR CAREGIVERS PROGRAM IN AUSTRALIA
An innovative program, Ecotherapy for Carers, has offered caregivers in eastern Australia the opportunity to connect with nature and help decrease the risk of developing depression.
Villa Maria Eastern Community Services in Victoria, in partnership with the People & Parks Foundation, has developed a creative four-session program in the Dandenong Ranges National Park that includes ranger-led walks, guided meditation, developing art in the forest with an artist and helping revitalize garden beds in the park.
Studies indicate that one in five Australians will experience depression with the risk of depression increasing for a person caring for a loved one who is unwell.
The Ecotherapy program is part of People & Parks Foundation’s Feel Blue Touch Green project. According to the Feel Blue Touch Green 2006 Report, past participants of the program found that being in contact with nature had a calming effect and assisted in reducing the stresses of everyday life as well as increasing social connection.
One of the aims of Villa Maria’s Eastern Community Services Carer Support Program is to enhance the wellbeing of caregivers by strengthening their relationships within their communities. The program offers services people caring for a loved one who is frail aged, has dementia, an acquired brain injury or a mental illness.
Jessica Taylor, Villa Maria’s Mental Health Resource Consultant, says: “The Ecotherapy for Carers program is the first in a series that we hope to provide for carers in the eastern region. We want to give them the opportunity to experience the benefits of taking time out from their caring role whilst having fun with others in a beautiful natural setting.”
Innovative Ecotherapy for Caregivers program in Australia, Villa Maria, 6 Studley Park Road, Kew Victoria 3101 Australia T: (03) 9855 7600 E: http://www.villamaria.com.au/news/108-ecotherapy-for-carers.html
6. ECOPSYCHOLOGY JOURNAL CALL FOR PAPERS: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
In honor of the 40th Earth Day, Ecopsychology journal has issued a call for papers for a special issue on the psychology of women and the natural environment. The journal seeks papers from a variety of disciplines and perspectives that broadly address the interface of women’s mental health and empowerment and environmental issues. Topics may include examples of ecofeminist theory and practice; research on the relationship between gender and affiliation with nature or propensity toward environmental conservation behaviors; and critical analyses of the use of feminine and matriarchal metaphors and archetypes for the earth’s systems and natural phenomena.
Papers due: March 15, 2010. Convenient online manuscript submission. To view a sample issue and read detailed submission guidelines go to http://www.liebertpub.com/products/manuscript.aspx?pid=300
Advantages of submitting your research to Ecopsychology…
Rapid peer review• Open access option• Readership in over 140 countries• Outstanding editorial board and reputation of journal• Global visibility and reach
7. RECOMMENDED READING
“THE LIVING UNIVERSE: Where are we? Who are we? Where are we going?” by Duane Elgin (Berrett-Koehler 2009) and the new edition of “VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY: Toward a Way of Life that is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich” (Harper 2010) by Duane Elgin
“THE ANIMAL MANIFESTO: Six reasons for Expanding Our Compassion Footprint” by Marc Bekoff (New World Library 2010)
“‘THE EMPATHIC CIVILIZATION’ Rethinking Human Nature in the Biosphere Era” by Jeremy Rifkin on The Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeremy-rifkin/the-empathic-civilization_b_416589.html
“UNPLUGGING” by Craig Chalquist http://www.chalquist.com/unplugging.html ....
8. UPCOMING EVENTS, TRAININGS
February 1, 2010: Ecopsychology Training Intensive Taught with a Depth and Archetypal Psychological Perspective
Online Course opens February 1, 2010
All information at: http://www.instituteforculturalchange.org/index.php
Instructors: Lori Pye, Ph.D. and Rinda West, Ph.D.
Contact: Lori Pye, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Cultural Change 805-889-0169
April 17, 2010: Workshop: “Ecotherapy: exploring our therapeutic relationship with the natural world,” Stanmer Park, Brighton, UK 10-4pm. Cost £60.
A day exploring the therapeutic potential of the natural environment. Time will be given over to exploring ourselves in relation to the natural world. We will start the day with a social dreamingmatrix, taking themes that emerge into experiential exercises exploring our therapeutic relationship with the naturalworld.
Email:
tel: 07876716700
www.ecotherapy.org.uk
2010-2011: Ecopsychology training in the UK http://www.mjrust.net/downloads/Re-vision%20ecopsych %20training.pdf
9. ECOPSYCHOLOGY COURSES AND DEGREES
Note: we keep an informal ongoing list of college and university programs that offer ecopsychology and ecotherapy courses and/or degrees: if you’d like to receive the list or add a listing, please e-mail Linda Buzzell at
10. ECOPSYCHOLOGY AND ECOTHERAPY ON THE NET
* INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ECOTHERAPY. Our newsletter is now at www.ecotherapyheals.com – click on “newsletter.” Issues from Spring 09 back are posted at http://thoughtoffering.blogs.com/ecotherapy. Many thanks to Heather Witham for hosting these past issues on her site.
* ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUP: Join a list-serv where you can discuss activist ecopsychology with others interested in this topic by sending an email to
* INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR ECOPSYCHOLOGY. If you haven”t yet discovered it, check out www.ecopsychology.org. Read Gatherings journal, sign up for the list serv to chat, check out the ecopsychology blog at http://thoughtoffering.blogs.com/ice_seeds. Sign up on the Practitioners page to tell the world about your ecopsychology or ecotherapy practice...
* HUFFINGTON POST blog on ecotherapy: www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-buzzell
* ONLINE PERMA-PSYCHOLOGY DISCUSSION GROUP: This group discusses the connections between permaculture (permanent culture/agriculture, ecological design) and psychology. To join go to: http://groups.google.com/group/perma-psychology
* ECOPSYCHOLOGY, a peer-reviewed journal. www.liebertpub.com/eco
* Check out the great academic search engine: http://scholar.google.com. Look up “ecopsychology,” “ecotherapy” for lots of interesting stuff. Also create “google alerts” for “ecotherapy” and “ecopsychology” for regular notification of new material.
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