About Eco & Art Therapy
“Art is a constant agent of transformation and is indeed the soul’s drive to health.”
There are never any expectations within Eco/Art Therapy sessions. No need for artistic experience, simply being present with a sense of curiosity, the wonderment is in the journey, not in the finished product.
Art Therapy
· Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication. Using art, media, and the creative process within drawing, writing, painting, sculpting, clay, sand, and movement offers opportunities for exploration and expression of feelings, increased self-awareness, and a reduction in anxiety. Creative processes are often non-verbal so invite exploration and communication of feelings which may otherwise be hard to put into words.
· Trauma impacts the whole human body. Creative processes can address negative life experiences and physical symptoms such as anxiety by engaging in the positive experiences of growth after trauma. Through building awareness about the body, and the expression of feelings symbolically, creative arts therapies may promote new perspectives and ways of experiencing life and being in relationship with others and the environment.
· Within the relationship of the therapeutic environment, creative processes refer to the whole Self, attending to emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual wellbeing in a culturally safe manner that aligns with Indigenous and non-indigenous models of health and wellbeing. Art Therapy works towards growth and healing through new ways of experiencing oneself and one's view of the world.
“Take a quiet walk with mother nature. It will nurture your mind, body, and soul.”
Eco Therapy
The Foundations of Ecotherapy
Ecotherapy, guided by its theoretical framework ecopsychology, draws on three key areas of inspiration that help foster healing, growth, and deeper connection to both nature and self (Geoff Berry):
Mindfulness and Presence
Ecotherapy weaves mindfulness practices into sessions, encouraging us to breathe in the natural world and its restorative benefits. By slowing down and paying attention to our senses — noticing the sound of leaves, the feel of the wind, or the rhythm of our breath — we become more present and aware of how we feel before, during, and after time spent in nature. These practices can cultivate calm, clarity, and resilience in everyday life.Wisdom and Belonging
Inspired by Indigenous epistemologies, ecotherapy honours the deep sense of kinship and reciprocity between humans and the earth. This worldview offers an antidote to the disconnection and isolation so common in modern life, helping to restore a sense of belonging and interconnectedness. By recognising our place within the natural world, we begin to heal the feelings of separation that often underlie stress, anxiety, and existential concerns.Myth, Story, and Symbol
Ecotherapy also draws on depth psychology, exploring the myths, symbols, and personal stories that shape how we experience ourselves and the world. These inner narratives can sometimes distance us from our true connection with nature. By reflecting on these patterns, we create space for insight and transformation, allowing new, more authentic stories to emerge.
Through these three interconnected perspectives, ecotherapy offers a way to see life through a different lens. It creates opportunities to gain perspective, find meaning, and nurture mental and emotional wellbeing. In reconnecting with nature, we also reconnect with ourselves — fostering balance, healing, and a deeper sense of harmony in our lives.
Eco-Art Therapy
Eco-art therapy combines the healing power of nature with the expressive process of art-making, all within the supportive framework of counselling and psychotherapy. It offers a unique way to connect with the natural world while exploring your inner landscape, fostering growth, balance, and a deeper sense of wellbeing.
Sometimes this involves working with natural or found materials to create ephemeral art — artwork that is temporary and integrated with the environment. These creations arise in the present moment, infused with emotion, reflection, and mindful awareness. They become offerings to the land, eventually absorbed back into nature’s cycles or perhaps left for others to encounter, sparking their own reflections.
At other times, we may bring traditional art materials into nature, allowing creativity to emerge whenever the moment feels right. When we explore our inner worlds while immersed in nature, we often experience profound insights through metaphor, symbolism, and synchronicity. Creating art during these moments provides a powerful way to process and integrate what arises, deepening self-understanding and supporting emotional healing.
Rooted in established psychotherapy and counselling models, eco-art therapy offers more than just time outdoors — it provides a structured, supportive, and transformative space. Whether working one-on-one, in a group, or during a retreat, this approach helps clients gain new perspectives, build resilience, and nurture a sense of harmony between self, others, and the natural world.
“Arts Therapy or Arts for Wellbeing?”
Glenda Needs explains the continuum of art inclusion in therapy through the video below.