Certain psychological processes take place within us that originated in earlier stages of human evolution. These include unconscious processes, such as the collective unconscious, as theorised by Carl Jung. Jung believed that the deepest parts of our unconscious mind come to us in the form of ideas and images, and appear in myths and in dreams. Our unconscious is a powerful influence and guide. Instinct shares that power. Instinct is an inborn impulse, which causes us to react in a certain way to external stimuli, is something we share with the natural world around us. Instinct acts as a simple reminder of our innate connection with nature.

 

On our therapy journey together we will find space and time to look into the effects of instinct and unconscious on our individual lives. Our unconscious and instinct are some of the closest reminders we have to our own connection to the natural world. We are part of nature and yet it is easy for us to get lost in our indoor settings, and to forget or ignore our connection to the outside world. Yet, nature provides an effortless source of comfort. It is where we belong and it nourishes and fuels us.

 

We all have a personal, individual connection to nature; we may feel awe at the power of the ocean, calm with the hypnotic tinkling of a stream, respite in the cooling shade of a tree, tenderness as we stroke our pet cat, joy as sunlight pours through a window, or comfort and care when carefully tending some potted plants. Nature acts as a mirror and as constant, unconditional support. It reminds us of our integral connection. It simultaneously grounds us and liberates us. 

 

For clients who would like to purposefully reconnect in nature, I am available to support clients outside of an office or online setting. We can meet for sessions in parks, along the river and ocean side, and in museums. 

 

Counselling with nature reconnection and art connection allows us to meditate and find serenity. Through guided reconnection we can feel more grounded and learn to be compassionate with ourselves. As with any kind of connection, nature and art reconnection gives us unconditional valuable time, and it roots us in the present. It is an invaluable tool that we can return to again and again. It is judgment-free, unconditional and constant. It offers continuous support, and with the guidance of an experienced ecotherapist, can prove to be an invaluable, gentle method of uncovering, recognising and exploring our true sense of self, our emotions and needs. 

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Through nature reconnection and art connection we nurture a spiritual need. The idea of spiritual connection can feel awkward for some, yet we all connect to it and thrive within it. It is not religious. Simply put, it is just our self-realisation. It is a wholly individual experience and not something that the therapist can dictate. We can feel the spiritual from getting lost in the sight of a sculpture, in the heartbeat of a loved one, in the beat of a drum, the sight and sound of a crashing wave, or the dawn chorus of birdsong. The spiritual is a simple, effortless reminder of the power, intention and purpose of life. 

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Within the stillness of reconnecting with nature and art, you often discover that there is a mirror to your own emotions. Nature and art connection gently open up and reveal ourselves and our needs, hopes and fears. They can shine a light on our inner child, and nurture and guide us.

 

Nature reconnection and art connection offer constancy, clarity and support. They provide an essential escape from the noise of daily life pressures and challenges, and welcome us into the calm essence of the present; unpressured, judgment-free, personal, inspirational and supportive.

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Nature reconnection and art connection allow us to reconnect to our natural selves through the natural world and through art around us.

 

In today's society, we often perceive ourselves as unattached and independent agents operating in a natural environment. The truth is that we are part of nature, with natural needs, that are often repressed by our problem solving minds, which are constantly adapting and adjusting to the modern world, and it's demands. 

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Art also reflects this. Artists throughout time have used the natural world around them, their emotional connections to others, to express their feelings - love, fear, grief, loss. Often we find ourselves attracted to a piece of art, a sculpture or a painting, because it speaks to us, it calms us, nurtures us, softens us, or allows our suppressed emotions to come to the surface.

 

If this is something that you are drawn to, I can gently guide you to reconnect with the unconditional, constant support that nature and art offers us. We can meet in the safe space of a park, on a walk by the ocean or river, or in the nurturing, calming space of a museum where I will allow you time to find art pieces that "speak" to you and then talk you through your attractions. In museum settings you are more than welcome to spend time sketching, reconnecting further with the art piece and your own attraction. 

If we are not able to meet face-to-face,  ecotherapy can also work via online counselling sessions. In these circumstances, I will always suggest that you conduct the sessions in a well-lit room where there is a source of natural light and preferably with you seated by a window. You can be looking over a busy street or back garden. Nature and art are all around us, even in the busiest, most concrete of cities. The birds flying above, pigeons pecking at the road side, moss growing up the side of a wall, a fly interrupting our wandering daydreams, paintings you see in books, online, street art - all of them play an effortless part in our reconnection!

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I will talk through aspects of your nature and art connection, and set you little tasks to do before the next session, to keep nurturing your connection. Walk with me!

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