Prescribing Nature

Traditionally, psychotherapy has occurred in office spaces and focused on issues that stop at the urban boundary. But with an increased awareness of the impacts of climate-related anxiety and trauma, and mounting evidence that direct contact with nature has powerful psychological and emotional benefits, there is a growing interest in the field of ecopsychology and the practice of ecotherapy.

Prescribing Nature is written for mental health professionals who would like to incorporate the natural world into their work with clients. Ecopsychology pioneer Patricia Hasbach highlights the theoretical foundations of ecotherapy and the research that supports the efficacy of nature-based methods. Moving therapy sessions outdoors, writing nature prescriptions for clients and bringing the outdoors into the office are discussed. The book includes specific practices that clinicians can add to their therapeutic toolbox to deepen their work and broaden the lens of therapy to include the human-nature relationship.