There is a course of study that is directly addressing the internal human dilemma that so many are now facing with the realisation that climate change is no joke, nor is it going away any time soon. The earth is in fact showing stronger signs of powering over us. And why should it not after how we've been treating it - polluting, taming, and dominating the wild so that in so many parts of the world it can no longer be called wild or natural. Grrrrrrr, rant over.Ecopsychology is based around the intrinsic connection between our inner world and ecology. An online forum created by The International Community for Ecopsychology (ICE) explores ecopsychology as the ‘synergistic relation' between nature and the personal well being of the individual, suggesting ‘the needs of the one are relevant to the other.'
It is a fascinating area of psychotherapy and one that seems to have taken on board the massive task of healing on every level - the troubled mind and the aching rainforests. The planet we see changing before our eyes is having significant impact on the human psyche. It is perhaps THE psychological reality of our time.
If you'd like to learn more about ecopsychology, Mary-Jayne Rust is a leading practitioner in the field and has a number of interesting and easy to read papers on her website.
