Reconnecting with Nature through Ecopsychology: Exploring the Psychological Connection to the Environment
Outdoor Counselling Psychology: Revitalising Mental Health in Nature
In the cosy confines of homes, therapy frequents its indoors—a conventional yet limiting setting for many. However, a revolution in the world of psychotherapy is now centring on a revitalising embracement of the outdoors, as a means of harnessing nature's healing powers to nurture mental well-being.
Ruth Allen, an accomplished counselling psychotherapist specialising in outdoor practice and nature connection, shares her insights. Her expertise lies in fostering harmony between mind, body, and the innate beauty of the natural world.
Born amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Peak District, Ruth attributes her profound appreciation for nature to a lifestyle rich in quietude, wildness, and unbounded space. "Everything is part of the same song - a desire to live a natural, intentional and enriching life," reveals Ruth.
The therapeutic benefits of outdoor counselling prove manifold, no less profound than the picturesque landscapes that cradle them. Much like we are weakened by our separation from the rest of nature, reconnecting with our roots in the outdoors offers a restorative path. Here, our minds, bodies, and spirits come to harmonise, as our innate desire to live synchronously with our environment thrives.
Furthermore, Ecopsychology - the scholarly exploration of the human-nature relationship - permeates the core of Ruth's practice. She believes in drawing inspiration from an ecocentric perspective, viewing humans not as the central knot in the grand web of life, but as an integral part contributing to the harmony of the entire ecosystem. This eco-centric approach offers a process of growth for both humans and the planet.
Ruth exemplifies Ecopsychology in her work via an inspiring interplay of mind, body, and the natural world. "Therapy in motion" becomes a transformative experience that offers metaphors for life's challenges, allowing individuals to traverse the labyrinth of healing with renewed strength and wisdom.
Grounding oneself in the present moment is one of Ruth's pillars of practice. By focusing on the here and now, anxiety finds no room to flourish; instead, the mind becomes better equipped to soothe itself, enabling a gentler passage through life.
What was it that drew Ruth to this transformative work? A deep, abiding connection to the world—a love for speaking with nature's myriad voices, for helping mend the broken fragments of a fragile planet. With a heart open to the wisdom of preceding generations, and a commitment to living the change she wishes to see, Ruth continues to explore the manifold hues of this vital connection.
To immerse ourselves in the transformative power of nature, Ruth articulates several tips:
- Cultivate intentionality: Show up for nature, not merely to do, but to feel. The key lies in an open, quiet, and inclusive attitude.
- Invest time and curiosity: Beyond mere physical presence, nurturing a relationship with nature involves exploration, noticing, and contesting the realms of the sensorial.
- Foster reciprocal relationships: Connect with the world in a way that transcends utilitarian pursuits. Instead, establish a bond underpinned by mutual respect and care.
'Slow Living' for Ruth encompasses a lifestyle that allows for intentional choices, a constructive balance, and a gentle, reflective pace that respects both her own well-being and the world around her. By embracing the restorative embrace of nature, we might find ourselves growing ever closer to that ideal.
Slow Fire Questions:
- Favourite place to read a book: The corner of her L-shaped sofa, under a blanket, or in her van when it's dark and rainy after a day in the hills.
- Favourite coffee or tea shop: Wherever is available when she's cold and shivery after a long walk.
- Favourite place in nature: The Cairngorm mountains, Arctic Finland, and her local nature, for no one place can capture the fullness of her affection for the natural world.
- Favourite independent shop or maker: Frequently designing her own home, she revels in a variety of independent creators, with recent acquisitions from Cath Pots and Naked Generation holding a dear place in her heart.
- Favourite slow living ritual: Dedicating mornings to quiet contemplation, Juliet honours this ritual by setting her own hours of work and preserving space for self-reflection, preceding and following her days with purpose and reverence.
Ruth Allen's 'Grounded' book delves into the concept of rewilding as a modern, sustainable approach to living in harmony with nature. As we forge a deeper connection with the natural world, we may yet find balance, stillness, solitude, resilience, contentment, and our true, wild voices. 'Grounded' invites readers on a journey of self-discovery, combining practical exercises, mindful activities, personal stories, and thought-provoking questions to explore the mysteries of the natural world and our place within it.
- Ruth Allen's 'Grounded' book proposes rewilding as a modern, sustainable approach to living in harmony with nature, encouraging balance, stillness, solitude, resilience, contentment, and finding our true, wild voices.
- Ruth Allen, in her lifestyle, embraces 'Slow Living', a choice that allows for intentionality, constructive balance, and a gentle, reflective pace that respects her well-being and the world around her.
- In her work, Ruth Allen fosters partnerships with small businesses such as Cath Pots and Naked Generation, showcasing her commitment to supporting local, independent creators.
- With outdoor counselling, Ruth Allen focuses on finance not as a means but as a tool for nurturing small businesses in the home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, and lifestyle sectors, thereby contributing to a holistic approach to personal growth.
