Towards an Ecopsychotherapy

Description

Towards an Ecopsychotherapy offers diverse stories, from the therapy room to therapy in the forest, about the healing process of reconnection with the more-than-human world as well as with our wild animal selves. It provides an insight into ecopsychotherapy in practice and outlines its history, key themes, ideas, and controversies. This book is for anyone in the caring professions who seeks to practice therapy with the earth in mind, and for those struggling with eco-anxiety or eco-grief who wish to deepen their relationship with the earth and find hope in turbulent times.

Mary-Jayne Rust is an ecopsychologist, art therapist and Jungian analyst of many years' experience. Her numerous publications include Vital Signs: Psychological Responses to Ecological Crisis. She grew up beside the sea and is wild about swimming. Now she lives and works overlooking ancient woodland in North London.

"An intelligent and beautifully written contribution to an important new development in psychotherapy, one which will be increasingly important in the future. Mary-Jayne Rust is a recognised pioneer in the field, and we are fortunate to have her share her experience with us." Nick Totton, Psychotherapist, trainer and author of Wild Therapy; "If psychotherapy is to remain relevant, it must change and recognize that we exist as part of, not apart from, Nature. I trust Mary-Jayne Rust more than anyone else to guide us there." Jerome Bernstein, Jungian Analyst, author of Living in the Borderland;"In her characteristic style, Mary-Jayne presents ecopsychotherapy in an incisive way, with her richness of experience bringing the subject to life. This thought-provoking book touches on the heart of controversies in this field - our need to grow new terminology - and to actively ensure our spaces are inclusive. This is an invaluable introduction to ecopsychotherapy and is also sure to deepen the work of more seasoned practitioners."Emma Palmer, Body psychotherapist, BACP-accredited counsellor, ecopsychologist, supervisor, trainer and author of Other Than Mother; 'As humans we are not apart from the ecosystem. Our being-ness is interwoven with earth, sky and all that lies between. In this beautifully written book, Mary-Jayne Rust shares her considerable experience as a psychotherapist working ecopsychotherapeutically within the greater context of our planetary situation and current ecological and climatic crises.' Caroline Brazier, psychotherapist, author of Ecotherapy in Practice - A Buddhist Model; "Mary-Jayne Rust has written an important work which broadens the field of psychotherapy to include our inherent connectedness to the more-than-human world. She provides a succinct, heartfelt overview of ecopsychotherapy. Given the current state of global environmental destruction, the wisdom in this book is needed now more than ever." Jeffrey T Kiehl, Jungian analyst, climate scientist, author of Facing Climate Change