In episode 22 of Nature Therapy Online, I take a sunny Autumn walk here in Midlothian, Scotland. I ponder on the topic of simple nature-based conversation. I ask: does simply talking about nature have therapeutic effects? Something has been occurring to me more and more this year about ecotherapy. I’ve noticed that when people talk about nature they feel good, and their mood seems to improve. I’ve learned this from working both online and with people in-person. Isn’t that interesting?...
Nov 27, 2020•20 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In Episode 21 of Nature Therapy Online, I tell a classic nature story from Japan. This story is part myth, part meditation, and it explores themes around pet-friendship and nature-connection. I have deliberately not given a clear title to this story, as I would like to keep an element of surprise as to where the story goes. I hope you find it inspiring, relaxing and enchanting.
Nov 20, 2020•20 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In Episode 20 of the Nature Therapy Online podcast, I take a walk in a local graveyard and woodlands here in Midlothian, Scotland. I talk about the joy that can be found in noticing and accepting Nature’s natural cycles of life and death. In this week’s ecotherapy radio show, I take on a big topic: death. This theme was suggested to me by Deirdre in Long Island, New York, and I thought it was a great idea for a show. Thanks Deirdre. It’s not an easy topic for any of us. There remains such a grea...
Nov 13, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this episode of the ecotherapy radio show, I slow down a little and talk about the air we breathe. How often do you think about the air around you? How often do you stop to consider how the wind feels blowing against your ear, how reliable it is for a flying animal, and how is keeps us alive every second that we breathe? If you’re anything like me, you probably take it for granted every day. In this episode, as an ecotherapy exercise I invite you to spend a little time giving air all of your ...
Nov 06, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In Episode 18 of Nature Therapy Online, I take a trip to a wild running river near my home in Midlothian. I reflect on the effect that water has on our emotions and wellbeing. Human beings feel good when we are near water. It is in our programming. It’s where we come from. Deliberately spending time near open water (be it a river, ocean, or even a small stream or pond) improves our happiness and wellbeing, and that is what this week’s episode is all about!
Oct 30, 2020•13 min•Season 1Ep. 18
On this week’s ecotherapy podcast I interview the inspiring founder of PRANA Ecotherapy—Alasdair Taylor, from Sydney, Australia. Alasdair tells us about his past work in Scotland and current work in Sydney. He touches on important themes around ecology and what we can learn from indigenous cultures from across the world. We also touch upon themes of creativity, culture, history and health; all shared lovingly with Alasdair’s friendly, approachable and down-to-earth attitude. Alasdair is a truly ...
Oct 23, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In episode 16 of the ecotherapy podcast, I talk about about rocks and crystals whilst standing under an umbrella in my rainy garden. As I watch the sheep and listen to the sound of crows and raindrops, I ponder on the power and beauty of rocks and crystals. Finding, pondering on, and meditating with rocks is a powerful act. Focusing on such solid, strong earth-y matter can really ground us back into the world around us, and help us to settle our busy minds. Tune in to find out more....
Oct 16, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In episode 15 of the Nature Therapy Online podcast, I share a nature story/tale with you. Fox and Dog is a story that was originally told by the Scottish travelling community. Just a few days ago, I recently told my first ever public story at an event for the wonderful Scottish Storytelling Centre. I told this story which I am sharing with you today; the story of Fox and Dog. This simple and gorgeous tale captures the struggle between the need for wildness and freedom, and the comforts of domest...
Oct 09, 2020•20 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this episode we go for a Scottish ecotherapy walk. We explore how we can use mindfulness to truly have fresh encounters with nature. Those of you interested in forest bathing (otherwise known as shinrin-yoku), may be particularly interested in this episode. Today we go for a walk together in the South Esk Valley in Midlothian, Scotland. It’s a very green Scottish ecotherapy experience—I instantly started getting attacked by falling Autumnal pine cones! I encounter the calming sound of the run...
Oct 04, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In this week’s podcast, I interview the inspiring ecotherapy author Andy McGeeney about his life with nature. Andy McGeeney has been promoting nature as therapy for years, from back when few people in the mental health world were willing to consider the benefits of nature as therapy. In this week’s ecotherapy podcast, Andy shares the story of his unique journey with mental health and nature, as well as sharing some beautiful nature therapy exercises that you can try for yourself at home. I’m sur...
Sep 27, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In episode 12 of the Nature Therapy Online podcast, we talk about how powerful the sound of birds can be. The idea for this episode was sent to me by Deirdre from Long Island, USA, and I thought it was a wonderful idea for an episode! Today I start by talking a little about birds, and reflecting on the potential therapeutic effects of the sounds they make, whether singing, cooing, tooting or crawing! We listen to various different birds whilst I offer you gentle invitations to reflect on their e...
Sep 20, 2020•18 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In episode 11 of Nature Therapy Online, I interview the wonderful ecotherapist Stephanie Whitelaw about her work with art and nature. In this week’s episode, I have a treat for your ears! Stephanie Whitelaw is an artist and ecotherapist who lives and works in Edinburgh, Scotland. She is involved with a series of fascinating projects which weave together art, therapy and nature in some very interesting and beautiful ways. Stephanie is a good friend of mine. We trained as ecotherapists together wi...
Sep 13, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In Episode 10 (Season 1) of the nature therapy online podcast, I talk about nature myths and tales from childhood. Nature therapy/ecotherapy is not just about applying mindfulness techniques to experience the beauty of nature. As humans, stories and myths are such a big part of how we see and experience our world. It’s probably one of the most defining things about our species (for better or worse!). Does the landscape that we inhabit inspire our local stories, or do our local stories shape our ...
Sep 06, 2020•18 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In episode 9 of Nature Therapy Online, I talk about cliches and stereotypes within nature. I recently got back from a trip to the Isle of Barra in the Western Isles of Scotland. What a beautiful place! Despite living in Scotland for over a decade, I have never seen the Western Isles before. It was like visiting a big floating rock of paradise. It got me thinking about stereotypes in nature, and how we view certain landscapes in a certain way. That's what this episode is all about!...
Aug 30, 2020•18 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Visualisation nature-based meditations are a part of my approach to nature therapy/eco therapy. Whilst the aim of eco-therapy is always to connect deeply with outdoor life and the nature that is around us, I believe that using our imaginations to visualise natural settings where we feel safe and at peace help us to foster a deeper connection to nature. When we visualise, we plant seeds that help us to connect with nature when we step outside of our front doors for other ecotherapy exercises....
Aug 23, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Nature is showing us every day how the world never stays the same. In every second, the nature around you has shifted. One moment, there’s a wind. The next, a small bird flies by. The next moment, a leaf falls from a tree. Next, it’s raining, or the clouds clear to let in the sun’s light. All of this—and so much more—can happen in the space of just a few moments in one single place where you stand. How much of this do we really pay attention to though?
Aug 16, 2020•11 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In episode 6 of Nature Therapy Online, I discuss how nature, stories and our imaginations are deeply intertwined. I invite you to create your own simple, nature-inspired stories whilst you walk, simply for the joy of using your imagination. I share a nature story of my own, The Nature Twin , which is both dark and light. I hope inspires your imagination when out experiencing nature.
Aug 09, 2020•20 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In episode 5 of Nature Therapy Online, I talk about how I came to nature therapy/ecotherapy with virtually no knowledge of nature at all, and yet I connected with nature through the pure beauty of trees. Have you ever felt that your knowledge of nature isn’t ‘good enough’ to appreciate it properly? Have you ever connected deeply with a beautiful tree and then wondered if you ‘should know more’ about it for that connection to be worthwhile? In this episode I share some thoughts and feelings on kn...
Aug 02, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In episode 4 of Nature Therapy Online, I am delighted to present my first ever interview. Caroline Brazier is Course Leader at the Tariki Trust , a Buddhist organisation based in England who train people to become ecotherapists. I did my ecotherapy training with them and it was a powerful and immersive experience that has enriched me as a human being. In the interview, we discuss how environmental issues intersect with nature therapy. Caroline shares her wealth of experience as both an eco-thera...
Jul 26, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode, I talk about the simple but powerful practise of mindfulness in nature. How does it feel not to label everything we see, and to experience it as clearly as we can? I share some simple exercises for bonding with nature in a powerful way, and discuss how the very act of applying human language in an everyday way can sometimes get in the way of seeing the beauty around us.
Jul 19, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 3
I sit in the attic of the small house where I live in Midlothian, Scotland, sharing my thoughts and feelings about why connecting with that magnificent expanse up there is so important for us as humans. Bring the beauty of the sky back into your life. Don’t neglect what’s happening up there! Here in my attic, my dog Euro and my cat Kathy sit with me. I glance out at the clouds and allow myself to go into a resting place, the place I go when I engage in my personal ecotherapy practise. I share so...
Jul 12, 2020•11 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In this episode, I introduce the concept of eco-therapy (or nature therapy) and I discuss the different ways in which we can practise nature therapy/ecotherapy. I discuss how some therapists focus on ‘walk and talk’ outdoor counselling, whereas others might make gardening and general horticulture with groups the centre of their practise. The famous Japanese pastime of shinrin yoku / forest bathing can be classed as ecotherapy, as can some outdoor physical activities if done with mental wellbeing...
Jul 11, 2020•16 min•Season 1Ep. 1
