Introduction To Ecotherapy Training Online and in Person

Introduction to Ecotherapy: Integrating the Healing Power of Nature into your Practice

Now more than ever, people are tuning in to the healing power of nature to deal with the increased anxiety, depression, grief and trauma common to our modern life.  Research now proves what has always been deeply held and practiced by indigenous peoples, that living in harmony with nature is not just good for the planet, but essential for all of us to be healthy and whole.

In this training clinicians will become able to help clients attain a deep and meaningful experience of connection with themselves and with nature by taking therapy outdoors.  This training will introduce practitioners to the core principles and theories of ecopsychology, indigenous wisdom, as well as practical and ethical issues when moving therapy out of the office.  In addition, we will teach ecotherapy interventions from different theoretical frameworks and facilitate participants practicing with each other.

Training Goals:

• Participants will get a foundation of Ecotherapy principles
• Participants will develop skills to use Ecotherapy in their outpatient psychotherapy practices
• Participants will practice Ecotherapy with other clinicians
• Participants will gain familiarity with indigenous practices around land acknowledgements

Training Objectives: At the completion of this eight hours program participants will be able to:

• Discuss historical roots of the development of ecotherapy and identify 3 theories supporting the therapeutic rationale for taking clients outdoors.
• Connect with an indigenous concept of our relationship with nature
• Understand how different modalities (ie Gestalt, CBT, Narrative, Family Systems) can be integrated into Ecotherapy
• Identify how nature metaphors can be used therapeutically to help clients gain new insights into their issues.
• Understand the different ways eco-therapy impacts different cultural groups
• Practice ecotherapy techniques, including mindfulness, in small group sessions
• Be able to identify locations suitable for practicing nature therapy

The Training Will Include:

8CEU’s available for LCSW’s, LPC, and LMFT’s.

Morning Coffee, Afternoon Snack, and please Bring Your Own Lunch

Presenters:

Lauren Kahn, LMFT, Nathan Schlingmann, LPC, Heather Hill, MSS, LCSW and Krista Nelson

CoSponsored by PSCSW:

FOR PENNSYLVANIA SOCIAL WORKERS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS, AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS: This program is approved for 8 CE credits for professional workshops sponsored by the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work, a state affiliate of the Clinical Social Work Association listed in Section 47.36 of Title 49, Chapter 47 of the PA Code, State Board of Social Work Examiners. This program is also approved for CE credits for professional workshops for marriage & family therapists (Section 48.36) and professional counselors (Section 49.36).

FOR NEW JERSEY SOCIAL WORKERS: This program is approved for 8 CE credits. Attendance at programs or courses given at state and national social work association conferences, where the criteria for membership is an academic degree in social work, are a valid source of continuing education credit (N.J.A.C. 13:44G- 6.4(c)4). i