Ecotherapy

 Ecotherapy

Environmental Psychology

The purpose of the present essay is to describe ecotherapy as it applies to ecopsychology. Ecopsychology is a novel, less discussed branch of psychology focusing on the interrelation between psychological mechanisms and the environment. Furthermore, ecotherapy comprises part of the ecopsychological realm. Thus, while not necessarily a therapy, and certainly distinct from more traditional and/or clinical therapies, such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), ecotherapeutical constructs may be used in an overall well-being sense.

Clearly, psychotherapeutic approaches vary in their use and effectiveness. For example, psychoanalysis, pioneered by psychoanalysis founding father, Sigmund Freud, remain only as an inspirational basis for psychology students, whereas today’s therapists employ approaches such as CBT, or debated methods, such as hypnotherapy. Indeed, CBT has been proven to be more effective in treating MDD (Major Depressive Disorder, also known as depression) in combination with medication, as compared to medication alone. In fact, mental health professionals argue that in the long run, this combination of treatments generates more long lasting results than antidepressants alone.

Environment ecology. Photo by Elena

However, an important distinction must be made between psychologists and psychiatrists. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who completed a specialization in the field. Conversely, psychologists are not licensed to prescribe medication, and as a rule do not treat patients in any way, even though some people may find it very helpful to talk to psychologists. Another major contrast between the two professions, is that psychiatrists mainly concentrate on topics which would correspond most closely to abnormal or clinical psychology, while psychologists look at all aspects of the human mind and behaviour, including consumer relations (industrial psychology), human motivation (positive psychology), metacognition and thinking processes (cognitive psychology) , as well as, personality traits, communication and building friendships (social psychology) and so on.

In 1996, Howard Clinebell wrote a book on ecotherapy. Ecotherapy, an increasingly important subject in today’s world threatened by global warming, outlines an Earth-centred approach to human well-being. Parallels may be drawn with ancient cultures, when in order to be happy and well-rounded, it was believed that humans had to live in harmony with their environment. Nonetheless, in the modern concrete jungle, the balance has been lost, and ecotherapy may restore this balance (applied ecopsychology). Clinebell describes a three-fold approach to ecology as it benefits the human psyche.

Ecotherapy. Photo: Elena

Ecotherapy may be viewed a set of theoretical, therapeutical applications based on nature, wildlife, the environment and humanity connectedness. Naturally, ecotherapy is of great interest to environmental psychology. Interestingly, psychology has seen a widely documented discussion called the nature vs. nurture debate. Consequently, behaviourists, such as B.F. Skinner, support the nurture and environmental arguments, while geneticists lend credence to the nature side. Nonetheless, and most importantly, there seems to be a consensus among modern psychologists that it is actually an interaction of genes and environment which is most justified. Thus, along these lines, it becomes fundamental to reconnect with the environment, paying particular attention to ecology.

Research findings aside, one needs not read an academic, peer-reviewed article to see how beneficial a walk through a national park may be. Indeed, spending time in the outdoors has countless beneficial effects, but as is usual with all human undertaking, safety and moderation are warranted concerns to keep in mind. Also, from a positive psychology perspective, keeping an open-mind, a positive attitude and avoiding both recklessness and overthinking appear to be healthy path to embark on. Therefore, the present paper briefly introduces ecotherapy as it applies to environmental psychology and ecopsychology.