Ecopsychology/Ecotherapy
The five-course concentration in Ecotherapy integrates perspectives from the following areas as a theoretical underpinning for an approach to practicing counseling within the larger counseling profession:
- Ecopsychology
- Deep ecology
- Ecofeminism
- Ecology
- Nature-based experiential learning
- Historical and current perspectives on indigenous people’s world views
- Earth-based traditional healing practices
- Eastern philosophy
- Anthropological study of ritual and rites of passage
- Transpersonal psychology
- Consciousness theory
The program applies this integration of perspectives in the context of current wilderness therapy and ecotherapy practices. It includes an emphasis on experiential learning, group work, and facilitation of insight as therapeutic techniques, as well as an examination of issues of transfer of learning.
Unlike other ecopsychological educational approaches, this program requires a commitment to application as a portion of practicum and internship, and as evidenced by records of the student’s practice and experiences in the field. Students must document competence in the practice of ecotherapy skills under clinical supervision in a clinical setting as a portion of their training. Because of the program's low-residency nature, accessing opportunities for applying these skills constitutes a significant expectation the student must fulfill.
The program places emphasis on the transpersonal nature of ecotherapy and the significance of attachment theory in explaining pathology in an ecopsychological model.
Those who will find this program worthy include students interested in wilderness, adventure venues, and horticultural, broad based animal-assisted or nature- based settings; and counselors aspiring to consult to industry in the area of ecopsychological health and environmental design.
Courses (15 semester credits)
- Foundations of Ecopsychology/Ecotherapy
- History and Principles of Ecopsychology
- Wilderness as a Healing Environment
- Risk Management in Ecotherapy Practice
- Standards of Practice and Ethics in Ecotherapy
