Ecopsychology – A Choice for Some,

“This we know. The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected.” -Chief Seattle

We live in a planet that is experiencing monumental change, traumatic stress, and opportunities for transformation for the benefit of self and world. As a Social Worker, I always support my clients’ relationship to the big picture and offer a context of safety where new connections can occur. By emphasizing that clients’ problems are not theirs alone and have a collective basis, I offer refuge from the shame that is so pervasive in our society, while still holding the space for accountability for individuals to go forth in solving individual problems and, if they so choose, societal problems.

In eco-psychology, the definition of the self is broadened to include the world we live in, all the beings that make up our planet and our planet itself. This shift can help us connect to a part of ourselves that in our busy schedules in modern society can be overlooked, feelings of love and pain for what is happening to our planet.

I offer a process called The Work That Reconnects, which has evolved from the work of Joanna Macy (www. joannamacy.net) and I am one of the facilitators listed on her website. This work can be done individually and also in a group. It involves going through a sequence of emotional processes that facilitate connection to our planet and all of its beings so that we move through gratitude, mourning the losses of our world, seeing that we really do care, and finally going forth newly enlivened to actualize dreams for the healing and restructuring of our world.

If you do not choose to go through this process, you can still be supported in expressing some of the fear and sadness you may feel about our global (and local) situations. If you are feeling depression and despair, you may have a biochemical problem that would be good to address as well as receiving support for suffering from repressed feelings that we all share abut the uncetainty of what is happening. You don’t have to experience this alone!

I am happy to do a Work That Reconnects event for your group at your site. The time can be tailored to your needs-2 hours, half day, whole day, weekend.