Nature-Based Therapy Training for Psychotherapists
This training is designed for psychotherapists who have a passion and curiosity toward the natural world and seek to utilize nature as an explicit therapeutic intervention in their practice. While being in nature is itself an implicit intervention in the therapeutic process, human beings are meant to have direct, reciprocal relationships with the natural world to which we all belong. In our modern world, most people interact with nature for an experience, to accomplish something, or stay fit, and this relational severance is a primary cause of much human suffering. Through the mindful cultivation of a relationship with nature incorporated into therapeutic practice, we can nurture and support clients in fostering a sense of self, secure attachment, resolving trauma, and making meaning in their lives.
This training is solely for psychotherapists, psychologists, and doctors of psychology who are engaged in psychotherapeutic clinical practice, as it builds upon your foundational counseling theory and skills. Previous knowledge in Gestalt theory and practice, attachment and trauma therapy modalities, somatic therapy, narrative, and experiential and relational fourth-wave therapies, such as Interpersonal Neurobiology or AEDP, will be helpful but are not required.
The learning format will be outdoors and will be highly experiential. Nature-based therapeutic interventions will be taught didactically and experientially. Much of the learning will come from direct practice with your fellow colleagues.
You can expect to learn:
basics of nature-based therapy and theory of practice
legal and professional considerations
how to partner with nature as a co-therapist
utilizing nature as a framework for clinical case conceptualization and diagnosis
utilizing nature as a mirror and metaphor to support clients both confront and make meaning of experiences in their lives
nature-based embodiment practices that support clients cultivate awareness
experiential interventions that support clients to externalize internal process and relate to self and others differently
art-therapy interventions in nature
utilizing nature to support attachment and somatic processes, including cultivating safety, nervous system regulation, emotional processing, belonging, etc.
utilizing nature to facilitate parts work to support differentiation and integration of Self.
utilizing the support of nature to assist in the resolution of traumat
Nature-based therapy is an embodied practice, and so this training is highly experiential in order for you to have an embodied experience utilizing this practice as a clinician. Please consider that experiential learning requires the use of your own personal material when practicing with colleagues.
This training is offered by Megan Newton, MA, LPC, CCTP, NCC. Megan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and co-owner of Evolve In Nature. She is a trained nature-based therapist and a Certified Clinical Trauma Practitioner who works primarily with individual adults and couples to resolve underlying attachment issues and/or trauma in order to resolve present-day symptoms and relationship issues. Megan practices psychotherapy from an interpersonal neurobiological framework, utilizing nature, attachment, AEDP, EMDR, Gestalt, and somatic therapies to foster healing and growth. She practices both indoors and outdoors in Boulder, CO. She is also a trained wilderness rite of passage guide, guiding many nature-based programs at Evolve in Nature and elsewhere.