About ecotherapy programmes
- What is ecotherapy?
- What happens in ecotherapy?
- What types of ecotherapy programme are there?
- How can I get involved in a programme?
What is ecotherapy?
Ecotherapy is a formal type of therapeutic treatment which involves doing outdoor activities in nature. There isn’t one single definition of ecotherapy, but it’s often used to describe a regular, structured activity that:
- is led by trained professionals (sometimes therapists), who are there to support you
- focuses on doing an activity, rather than on your health
- takes place in a green environment
- is related to exploring and appreciating the natural world
- involves spending time with other people, although you can always choose to interact at your own pace.
You might do an ecotherapy programme on its own, or alongside other treatments such as talking therapies, arts and creative therapies and/or medication.
Different terms for ecotherapy
People sometimes use different words to describe ecotherapy, depending on whether the activity has an emphasis on exercise, horticulture (gardening) or therapy. Phrases you might hear include:
- green exercise
- green care
- green therapy
These terms are often used to describe a whole range of outdoor activities, but may also refer to a specific type of ecotherapy programme.
“Being at a supported gardening project has transformed my life and saved the life of my partner who had attempted suicide four times before she regained hope.”
What happens in ecotherapy?
Ecotherapy can take place in both rural and urban settings, including parks, gardens, farms and woodlands. It involves varying amounts of physical activity, depending on the type of programme. It can include activities that focus on:
- working in nature, such as a conservation project, gardening or farming
- experiencing nature, such as enjoying the views on a walk or cycling through woodland.
Some ecotherapy sessions follow a set structure and incorporate types of talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Others can be more informal or vary depending on the time of year and what work needs doing. People in the group may or may not have experience of mental health problems, but the main focus is usually working together on the shared activity.
“I do ecotherapy to get sunlight onto my skin and into my mind. It shines light through the dark fog of depression.”
What types of ecotherapy programme are there?
Ecotherapy programmes can involve a wide range of activities. For example:
Adventure therapy
Involves doing adventurous physical activities in a group, such as rafting, rock climbing or caving.
Animal-assisted interventions
Involves being in spaces such as farms where you come into contact with animals and spending relaxed time feeding or petting them.
Animal-assisted therapy
Involves building a therapeutic relationship with animals, such as horses or dogs.
Care farming
Therapeutic farming activities. Involves looking after farm animals, growing crops or helping to manage woodland.
Conservation
Sometimes called ‘Green Gyms’. Combines physical exercise with protecting and caring for natural spaces.
Green exercise therapy
Involves doing exercise in green spaces, for example walking, running or cycling.
Find out more from:
Nature arts and crafts
Doing art in or with nature. Can include creating art in green space, using the environment as inspiration or using natural materials such as wood, grass or clay.
Social and therapeutic horticulture
Involves gardening work such as growing food in allotments or community gardens, or inside buildings like village halls or libraries. This could lead to work experiences, such as selling food at a market garden, or the opportunity to gain qualifications.
Find out more from:
Wilderness therapy
Involves spending time in the wild and doing activities together in a group, for example making shelters and hiking.
“I have depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Doing ecotherapy has allowed me somewhere that is my safe place, a place of my own, where I can be quiet and peaceful. The act of growing and caring for something else helps me to stop thinking about what is going on in my head.”
How can I get involved in a programme?
If you’d like to find an ecotherapy programme in your local area, you could:
- Explore our useful contacts page.
- Ask your family doctor. They might be able to refer you to a local programme. This is sometimes called ‘social prescribing’ or ‘green prescribing’.
Some ecotherapy programmes require a referral – you may wish to discuss with your family doctor.
What if there isn’t a programme near me?
If you can’t find any ecotherapy programmes in your local area, you could:
- Look for nature-based groups or classes, such as walking groups or community gardens. Your local library or community noticeboard might have details.
- Look for therapeutic communities in your area and see if they include ecotherapy.
