Eco-therapy is the practice of spending focused time, outside in connection with nature for our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. It is the simple, beautiful act of noticing what is here for us. What we can connect and interact with; the blue of the sky, the plants sprouting through tarmac, the earthy smell of soil, the crunch of leaves underfoot are all sensory moments and invitations. I call them the ‘hello I am here’ moments, where nature invites us to tune in. Eco-therapy can shift our focus to the unfolding cycles of nature, processing decay - endings and renewal - beginnings. So often is the case, that when we connect with what is outside of ourselves, with the otherness of things, we circle back and connect with our internal selves and what is happening in there. This attuning can help us to feel a deeper sense of belonging to the places we live, connecting with layers of place; the soil, the plants, the people, the trees and other beings.

Completing my training with Tariki Trust in 2018, I have since worked within a variety of settings, establishing creative walking and eco-therapy based sessions, projects ans retreats with individuals and groups. Organisations I have worked with include Bridgend Farmhouse, Cyrenians, Dovelight Wellbeing, Granton Castle Walled Garden, Pilton Community Health Project, The Crannie, West Calder Community Garden and the Fold Farm in Worcester.

I have also worked within educational settings including the University of London, Glasgow University and with primary school and high school students in West Calder and Glasgow, developing art and nature based school term programmes.