There are 10 lessons:

1. Nature and Scope of ecotherapy

• Applications of ecotherapy
• Ecopsychology
• What is ecotherapy?
• What is involved in ecotherapy
• Using ecotherapy alongside other therapies
• The need for mental health interventions
• General benefits of nature on wellbeing
• Ecotherapy settings
• Useful terminology

2.  Theory of ecotherapy

• General findings
• Ecological theories
• Problems associated with built environments
• Models underpinning ecotherapy
• Nature and mental health research
• Is direct contact with nature necessary?

3.  Ecotherapy Clients

• General wellbeing benefits
• Psychological benefits
• Physical benefits
• Understanding the body’s responses to stress
• General barriers to getting involved in ecotherapy
• How to overcome these barriers
• Ecotherapy for mental disorders
• Ecotherapy for physical conditions
• Specific issues

4.  Intake Assessment & ecotherapy Resources

• Interviewing potential clients
• Interviewing techniques
• Determining suitability
• Background history
• Choosing ecotherapy environments

5.  Environment-Based ecotherapy

• Using the environment
• Types of environment activities
• Conservation projects
• Wilderness Therapy
• Forest bathing
• Breathing and relaxation exercises
• Other outdoor activities

6.  Plant-Based ecotherapy

• Physical ecotherapy activities
• Psychological ecotherapy activities
• Fascination therapy
• Adventure therapy
• Horticultural therapy
• Using the senses

7.  Animal-Based Ecotherapy

• Bird watching
• Pet therapy
• Equine assisted therapy and horse riding
• Animal habitats
• Care farming and therapeutic farm activities
• Interacting with wildlife
• Using the senses

8.  Indoor Ecotherapy

• Indoor applications of ecotherapy
• Workspaces
• Photographs
• Growing at home
• Fresh flowers in the home or ecotherapy space
• Touching nature
• Arts and crafts
• Creating nature indoors
• Pets and animals indoors

9.  Creativity based Ecotherapy

• Therapeutic photography
• Writing therapy
• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Drama therapy
• Dance therapy
• The benefits of creative therapies

10.  Holistic Wellness incorporating Ecotherapy

• Walking
• Relaxation
• Mindfulness
• Counselling in nature
• Combining ecotherapy with other modalities
• Our connection with nature

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• Discuss ecotherapy including applications and benefits.
• Explain different theories underpinning the ecotherapy perspective which support its association with physical and mental health and wellbeing.
• Evaluate and determine clients for whom ecotherapy may be an appropriate form of therapy.
• Determine a broad range of resources and how to appropriately use them for ecotherapy.
• Explain ecotherapy applications that harness the use of different environments.
• Explain ecotherapy applications that utilise plants in a variety of contexts.
• Explain ecotherapy applications that utilise animals in a variety of contexts.
• Explain ecotherapy applications that can be applied indoors.
• Explain ecotherapy applications that utilise creative and artistic activities in a variety of contexts.
• Apply ecotherapy to formulate wellness advice that blends with other health and wellbeing initiatives.

• Explore people’s perceptions of ecotherapy
• Identify locations suitable for ecotherapy practices
• Critical exploration of an established sensory garden
• Explore people’s perceptions and emotional responses to built environments
• Explore the integration of green spaces within the built environment
• Identify and critically examine people’s perceptions of the impact of ecotherapy on general wellbeing
• Explore the benefits of ecotherapy on individuals presenting with a specific condition that is of interest to you
• Create an intake questionnaire for use with ecotherapy clients
• Conduct a risk assessment at a potential ecotherapy location of your choice
• Initiate networking with practising ecotherapists
• Evaluate walking meditation as an ecotherapeutic activity
• Create step by step instructions for a combined breathing/progressive muscle relaxation activity
• Research gardening as a past time
• Sensory exploration of a public garden
• Research community gardening activities
• Examine the impact of photographs of different animals on the emotions and wellbeing
• Practise purposeful sensory engagement with animals in nature
• Brainstorm ecotherapy applications that can be integrated into an indoor setting
• Gather, arrange and engage with natural objects for use in ecotherapy
• Evaluate star gazing as an ecotherapeutic activity
• Research techniques used when photographing nature
• Explore the integration of writing therapy and ecotherapy
• Research the application of mindfulness within an ecotherapeutic setting
• Explore people’s perceptions of their relationship with nature

APPLICATIONS 

Ecotherapy may also be known by different names such as ‘nature therapy’, ‘nature assisted therapy’, ‘green care’ or ‘green therapy’. Regardless, ecotherapy is the practice of ecopsychology which we shall come to shortly.

Ecopsychology and ecotherapy are relatively new concepts in the field of psychology and counselling. Ecotherapy may be used by psychologists, counsellors, and other health professionals.

According to Roszak, ecotherapy is the “skilful application of ecological insights to the practice of psychotherapy.” He emphasised the discovery of our emotional bond with the planet and considered sanity in terms in relation to the whole world.

He sought to understand humankind’s interrelationship with the non-human world so that pathways to healing could be based on flaws in that interrelationship.

Ecotherapy is much broader than this though, and there are numerous applications of ecotherapy. For this reason, some have proposed that ‘green care’ be used as an all-encompassing term to cover all types of nature assisted therapy.

Nevertheless, ecotherapy remains the most widely used term and it can be applied to any therapeutic activities that draw on plants, animals, or landscapes.

Some examples include:

Horticultural Therapy: This involves undertaking gardening activities for physical and/or psychological wellbeing, either as formal guided therapy sessions, or as informal activity.

Wilderness Therapy: This involves interacting with nature in remote, natural environments with a view to bringing about improved wellbeing and perhaps self discovery.

Animal Assisted (or Pet) Therapy: There are many animal centred activities which can provide therapeutic benefits; promoting wellbeing and self esteem Examples include companion animal visits, riding for the disabled, farm and zoo visits.

Forest Bathing: This developed across thew late 20th century in Japan, where it has become recognised by mainstream health services. It can involve meditative two or three hour sessions led by trained forest bathing therapists. It can also involve less structured informal visits to forests.

Ecotherapy can also be having traditional counselling therapy in a green space, exercising in a green space, or simply taking in views of green spaces. As you move through this course you will broaden and deepen your understanding of nature therapies or ecotherapies.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.