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ECOTHERAPY PRACTICE - BPS220

Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
Statement of Attainment

Why Study Ecotherapy?

Ecotherapy involves using therapeutic and counselling techniques and linked them to nature. This may be outdoors or using natural objects and sights indoors.

The human connection to nature can be one of the most under rated tools for healing the physical, emotional and psychological stressors that affect us all.

This course helps you to appreciate this fact and build an understanding of how to harness nature for wellbeing.

Study to improve your own wellbeing.

Or to work as an ecotherapist helping others.

It's easy to enrol...

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Who Is This Course Suitable For?

This course is great for anyone who

  • works outdoors or with nature and wants to expand what they offer to their clients or customers.
  • supports people who are struggling with their mental or physical health.
  • wants to be more connected with nature and help others to be.
  • uses counselling or counselling skills in their existing job role and wants to expand into another area.

You can study this course for professional/career development or personal interest.


What Will You Learn in This Course?

During the course you will learn more about –

  • What is ecotherapy?
  • The theories behind ecotherapy.
  • How ecotherapy is useful for our mental and physical health.
  • How to use ecotherapy in practice.

COURSE CONTENT

Lesson 1: Nature and Scope of Ecotherapy

  • Applications of ecotherapy
  • Ecopsychology
  • What is ecotherapy?
  • What is involved in ecotherapy
  • Using ecotherapy alongside other therapies
  • The need for mental health interventions
  • General benefits of nature on wellbeing
  • Ecotherapy settings
  • Useful terminology

Lesson 2: Theory of Ecotherapy

  • General findings
  • Ecological theories
  • Problems associated with built environments
  • Models underpinning ecotherapy
  • Nature and mental health research
  • Is direct contact with nature necessary?

Lesson 3: Ecotherapy Clients

  • General wellbeing benefits
  • Psychological benefits
  • Physical benefits
  • Understanding the body’s responses to stress
  • General barriers to getting involved in ecotherapy
  • How to overcome these barriers
  • Ecotherapy for mental disorders
  • Ecotherapy for physical conditions
  • Specific issues

Lesson 4: Intake Assessment & Ecotherapy Resources

  • Interviewing potential clients
  • Interviewing techniques
  • Determining suitability
  • Background history
  • Choosing ecotherapy environments

Lesson 5: Environment-Based Ecotherapy

  • Using the environment
  • Types of environment activities
  • Conservation projects
  • Wilderness therapy
  • Forest bathing
  • Breathing and relaxation exercises
  • Other outdoor activities

Lesson 6: Plant-Based Ecotherapy

  • Physical ecotherapy activities
  • Psychological ecotherapy activities
  • Fascination therapy
  • Adventure therapy
  • Horticultural therapy
  • Using the senses

Lesson 7: Animal-Based Ecotherapy

  • Bird watching
  • Pet therapy
  • Equine assisted therapy and horse riding
  • Animal habitats
  • Care farming and therapeutic farm activities
  • Interacting with wildlife
  • Using the senses

Lesson 8: Indoor Ecotherapy

  • Indoor applications of ecotherapy 
  • Workspaces
  • Photographs
  • Growing at home
  • Fresh flowers in the home or ecotherapy space
  • Touching nature
  • Arts and crafts
  • Creating nature indoors
  • Pets and animals indoors

Lesson 9: Creativity based Ecotherapy

  • Therapeutic photography
  • Writing therapy
  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Drama therapy
  • Dance therapy
  • The benefits of creative therapies

Lesson 10: Holistic Wellness incorporating Ecotherapy

  • Walking
  • Relaxation
  • Mindfulness
  • Counselling in nature
  • Combining ecotherapy with other modalities
  • Our connection with nature

COURSE AIMS

  • Apply different ecotherapy solutions to meet different therapy needs. 
  • Discuss ecotherapy including applications and benefits. 
  • Explain different theories underpinning the ecotherapy perspective which support its association with physical and mental health and wellbeing. 
  • Evaluate and determine clients for whom ecotherapy may be an appropriate form of therapy.
  • Determine a broad range of resources and how to appropriately use them for ecotherapy. 
  • Explain ecotherapy applications that harness the use of different environments.
  • Explain ecotherapy applications that utilise plants in a variety of contexts.
  • Explain ecotherapy applications that utilise animals in a variety of contexts.
  • Explain ecotherapy applications that can be applied indoors.
  • Explain ecotherapy applications that utilise creative and artistic activities in a variety of contexts.
    Apply ecotherapy to formulate wellness advice that blends with other health and wellbeing initiatives.

The course has ten lessons. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment to submit to your tutor for marking and feedback.

You can also contact your tutor with any questions throughout the course.

During the course, you will learn more about Modern Living and why it has its Problems

There is increasing evidence that urban environments which are devoid of nature, or elements of it, are less conducive to recovery from stress-related problems. Findings from the field of environmental psychology also suggest that some types of environment, such as, those which include green spaces, can help us to cope with stress better. The relationship between good health and green spaces is difficult to quantify. For instance, it could be that living near green spaces enhances health or that those with better health are attracted to areas where there is green space. Nevertheless, the presence of green space and the quality of the space do seem to correlate with better health.

One of the main concerns with built environments are their association with stress. Environmental stressors such as crowding, pollution, and noise have strong correlations with increased stress levels, and poorer health outcomes. Many people in cities experience these types of stressors every day, and their impact is likely to be more wise reaching if they are unable to find ways to reduce them or control them, such as making use of green spaces. 

Stress theory highlights the importance of human physiology, cognition, and emotions in people-environment interactions. People have a stress response to the environment when incoming stimuli perceived through the senses exceed an optimal level for functioning. 

What Are the Advantages of Studying Psychology with ACS Distance Education?

  • You can start at any time to suit you.
  • The courses are self-paced.
  • You can study when and where suits you. They are flexible to fit in around you and your lifestyle.
  • It is not just a course, it is a package of learning that includes – course notes, tutor feedback, self-assessment tests, research tasks and assignments.
  • Our tutors are all experts in their field, with years of experience in psychology and counselling.
  • They are also keen and enthusiastic about their subject and enjoy working with students to improve their knowledge and skills.
  • Courses are also updated regularly to meet the demands of the changing needs for knowledge and to keep our courses up to date.

What Next?

Ecotherapy encourages us to feel more connected with nature, to realise that we have a close relationship with nature.

If you are interested in studying ecotherapy for yourself or to expand your existing job skills, then why not enrol today?

You can enrol today by clicking the “Enrol Now” button above.

Or

Click here to Contact a Psychology Tutor.

Or Request a Prospectus Here.
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

Jacinda Cole B.Sc.,M.Psych.Psychologist, Educator, Author, Psychotherapist. B.Sc., Psych.Cert., M. Psych. Cert.Garden Design, MACA. Jacinda has over 25 years of experience in psychology, in both Australia and England. She has co-authored several psychology text books and many courses including diploma and degree level courses in psychology and counselling. Jacinda joined ACS in 2001.
Jade SciasciaBiologist, Business Coordinator, Government Environmental Dept, Secondary School teacher (Biology); Recruitment Consultant, Senior Supervisor in Youth Welfare, Horse Riding Instructor (part-completed) and Boarding Kennel Manager. Jade has a B.Sc.Biol, Dip.Professional Education, Cert IV TESOL, Cert Food Hygiene.
Tracey Jones (psychology)B.Sc. (Hons) (Psychology), M.Soc.Sc (social work), DipSW (social work), PGCE (Education), PGD (Learning Disability Studies) Tracey began studying psychology in 1990. She has a wide range of experience within the psychology and social work field, particularly working with people with learning disabilities. She is also qualified as a teacher and now teaches psychology and social work related subjects. She has been a book reviewer for the British Journal of Social Work and has also written many textbooks, blogs, articles and ebooks on psychology, writing, sociology, child development and more. She has had also several short stories published.


Check out our eBooks

Coping Better with Negative EmotionsThis book is designed to help you understand the things that cause stress, the problems that can arise, and the broad range of ways people might manage their stress.
Bees, Beekeeping and HoneyBees play a vital role in pollination of crops, it’s important to improve diversity of bee populations and ensure there are enough of them to withstand any future threats. Learn about bees and how to keep them; learn about maintaining their health and the production and use of honey.
Counselling HandbookA book for both students, as well as volunteers who may be involved in helping people with problems. This is a starting point for understanding counselling, and a reference for developing counselling skills. The book contains seven chapters: 1. Where can counselling be used 2. How to see behind the mask 3. Emotions and attitudes 4. How to communicate better when all you have is words 5. Theory versus practice 6. Diffusing difficult situations 7. Golden rules or tips
Creative WritingThe Creative Writing ebook can be useful for writing students or even professional writers to help improve their writing techniques and skills. The Creative Writing ebook is a fabulous starting point for budding writers. The topics that are covered within this book are an introduction to creative writing, Methodology and technique- the building blocks of writing, Genres, Creative non-fiction, creative writing techniques, developing your skill, building your career and a Glossary.