Arts & Ecotherapy Melbourne Workshops

​What is Ecotherapy?

Nature has been known to be a source of healing, retreat and rejuvenation for centuries. From ancient goddess cultures that worshiped the natural world to modern-day ecotherapists, the healing power of nature has been recognised and harnessed in various ways from spirituality to art and science. Ecotherapy, also known as nature therapy or green therapy, is an approach to human psychology that centres itself in ecology. You could say the aim of ecotherapy is to remember an ecocentric sense of self. Let's explore what ecotherapy Melbourne based practitioners offer, how I integrate it into my one on one and group programs and some of the key practices involved in it.

 

Ecotherapy is applied ecopsychology that includes the healing power of nature to improve collective health and wellbeing including the health of the earth - our only lifeline. It involves engaging with the natural world in various ways, such as spending time outdoors, interacting with plants and animals, and recognising our relationship with the ecosystem and responsibility to care for it. Experience ecotherapy at one of our holistic retreats in Victoria or at one of our Melbourne based arts and ecotherapy workshops.

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How we Approach Ecotherapy Workshops & Retreats in Victoria

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Community Wisdom & Connection

• Holding the Pain for the World: Creating safe, communal container to fully acknowledge and articulate the grief, fear, and anger arising from the ecological crisis (The Great Unravelling). This radical acceptance transforms overwhelm into active hope and shared purpose.

• Collective Joy: Engaging in group processes that enhance collective joy, creativity, and strength, fostering a sense of shared belonging, ethno-diversity, and cultivating the courage needed to support one another in taking wise action. We draw inspiration from traditions that honour the immanent divine, celebrating our fierce love for the living world.

 

Depth & the Ecological Self

• Uncovering Patterns of Separation: Using Depth Psychology to uncover old, unconscious psychological patterns of separation—the internalised narrative that positions humans outside of nature. Engage with active imagination and creativity to work on healing our collective culture and more-than-human kin.

• Reclaiming the Ecological Self: Reconnecting with your essential nature and sense-making, fostering a feeling of being aligned, whole, and a vital part of the natural world's vast, intelligent web of life. This connection inspires and resources you to explore personal myth, your vision or calling and taking wise action in the world.

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Mindfulness & Embodied Presence

• The Power of Being Present: Drawing on Mindfulness (like the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn) to cultivate insight, compassion, and awareness of body, mind, nature, and community. Rest deeply, restore and renew your energy in nature.

• Somatic Grounding: Developing sustainable tools to regulate our nervous system and cultivate a steady, embodied presence amidst life's challenges, rooting deeply in the timeless intelligence of the felt sense of your body, community and the Earth and the awareness that flows through everything.​​

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Sacred Circle & Creative Arts

• The Power of Creative Ritual: Drawing from the principles of Earth-based Spirituality, we engage in ritual, storytelling, writing and creative arts practice for expression, moving energy and honouring thresholds and life cycles. 

• Creating Sacred Space: Learning to intentionally define and hold space—both outdoors and within our communities—to deepen presence, intention, and collective power and wisdom. This practice grounds us in the knowledge that the Earth itself is sacred and whole, and we are part of its renewal.

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Land-Based Connection & Cultivation

• Organic gardening and food cultivation: Experience nature-based insight with the cycle of life, from seeds of intention, to cultivating soil condition and understanding the elements required for growth through to the harvest.  

• Start a sit spot meditation practice and design, then create your special sit spot outside in your backyard or garden for meditation, journalling and nature observation. You can also include a spirit house for offerings for nature spirits.

• Rewilding and Landcare: Learn about the natural history of your local region and build a reciprocal relationship with the earth by planting indigenous and native plants, regenerating soil quality, composting and conserving resources.