Introduction to Nature Therapy. An Online Programme.
Research proves that spending time in nature makes us happier. Practise nature therapy by signing up for this experiential online programme. This programme was designed by experienced ecotherapist Stephen McCabe and it is run over four weeks. Join us today and begin connecting with your local nature!
Four experiential weeks.
12 nature tasks.
Designed by a professional eco-therapy practitioner.
Why is this course so cheap? (answered by the course author)
In previous versions of this course, I offered my personal support during every exercise; every comment was responded to and reflected on personally by myself. As I have become much busier recently, I have had to dedicate my time to other ecotherapy work – I am no longer able to offer that level of support on this programme. I may respond to occasional comments, but generally, that is not the case. What you are paying for is access to this programme which I spent many hours creating. I really wanted to leave this programme out there, as I know how transformative it has been for people; hence this budget option! I am still here for support if anyone needs me, it's just more 'light touch' than it was previously, hence the cheaper price. I have deliberately made the content of this course 'light' so as to not potentially open up big issues for anyone – this course is all about coming out of yourself to experience nature-connection!
I still consider this programme to be a really well-rounded and potentially transformative introduction to nature therapy – it is just at a really affordable price!
Feel more connected to nature with this experiential, affordable online ecotherapy programme.
What’s Included?
Four Units Over Four Weeks
Private Forum
12 experiential outdoor tasks –12 videos
meditation download
Reconnect with Nature.
You will learn how to make a deeper connection with nature for your happiness and wellbeing. A variety of mindfulness-based exercises, as well as creative, imaginative tasks.
Grow.
It doesn't matter if you live in a busy city or in the countryside. Nature is everywhere. This course shows you how to connect with nature—no matter where you are!
To sign up for the Introduction to Nature Therapy online programme, designed by a professional eco-therapy practitioner, hit the sign up button!
Feel more connected to nature with this experiential, accessible online programme.
An experiential four-week online programme helping you to improve your wellbeing through nature connection.
Our Earth is magical. Let's find the magic.
Programme
01
Week 1 - Connecting With Nature
Introduction Video
Exercise 1—Grounding in Nature
Grounding in Nature—Summary Notes
Grounding—Bonus MP3 File
Exercise 2—Finding a Special Place
Finding a Special Place—Summary Notes
Exercise 3—Focus on Colour
Focus on Colour—Summary Notes
02
Week 2 — Paying Deeper Attention
Exercise 1—Meet a Tree
Meet a Tree—Summary Notes
Exercise 2—World of Birds
World of Birds—Summary Notes
Exercise 3—Nature Reclaiming Space
Nature Reclaiming Space—Summary Notes
03
Week 3—Imagination and Creativity
Exercise 1—Myths and Tales
Myths and Tales—Summary Notes
Exercise 2—Nature Inspiring Creativity
Nature Inspiring Creativity—Summary Notes
Exercise 3—Nature Haiku Poems
Nature Haiku Poems—Summary Notes
04
Final Week—Finding Perspective in Nature
Exercise 1: Sky Meditation
Sky Meditation—Summary Notes
Exercise 2—Finding a Mini-world
Mini-world—Summary Notes
Exercise 3—Thanking Nature
Thanking Nature—Summary Notes
No Knowledge of Nature Needed.
Nature therapy is about connecting with life, not analysing it.
Positive and Uplifting.
All therapies can bring their emotional challenges, and ecotherapy is no different. Most people, however, report finding ecotherapy exercises positive and inspiring.
Start anytime, from anywhere.
This is quite possibly the most flexible nature therapy programme out there.
About Stephen McCabe
Stephen is an experienced ecotherapy practitioner who has been directly supporting people emotionally for over 15 years. He has trained over many years in ecotherapy skills, and he trains others to become ecotherapy practitioners themselves on the Ten Directions programme; an intensive nature therapy course informed by Buddhist psychology. He is the man behind Nature Therapy Online and he runs several ecotherapy projects locally in the Lothians/Scotland. He is also a storyteller, a tarot reader, and a trained meditation guide and he incorporates these skills into his ecotherapy work.
"I'd like to thank you Stephen for being a fantastic guide through the last five weeks. This has massively helped me cope with living alone during lockdown, and also re-assessing and exploring my relationship with nature. Thank you so much. I will definitely take some of these practices forward in my life.”
"I loved the engaging videos which were filmed in some beautiful places, so it really made me want to get out straight away. I loved the simple but really effective tasks such as cloud watching. Next time I'll be on a walk I'll think of the tasks such as tuning into colours. It's been so beneficial during lockdown to really get in touch with nature."
Frequently asked questions
(answered by the course author)
Is this course only for people who have access to wild outdoor spaces?
No! Nature is everywhere. You can do these ecotherapy exercises in small city park areas, or even walking through streets looking for nature. Of course, people from rural locations engage really well with online nature therapy too. In short: it doesn't matter where you live!
How is the programme structured?
Each week introduces a new theme. The themes are: connecting to nature, paying deep attention to nature, using imagination and creativity, and perspective. In each unit, you will have access to three exercises which are introduced to you by video. The videos come with accompanying PDF documents with bullet-point notes for each exercise. You then have one week to complete your three exercises before getting online access to the following week's exercises.
How much time will I need to dedicate to this programme?
That's up to you, but I would recommend putting aside around 2 hours per week for the tasks. Sometimes it may require a bit more time, sometimes a bit less. If you want to spend longer, the exercises are very flexible so feel free! But if you only have a few hours spare each week, that will be sufficient to engage properly with the programme.
Is this programme best done in warmer seasons?
Not necessarily. Ecotherapy can teach us how to appreciate being outdoors and finding the beauty in nature in colder seasons or even rainy weather. Unless you live somewhere where it may be dangerously cold/hot at certain times of the year, ecotherapy is generally suitable for all seasons.
What about the online support that you are offering? Are there any time zone issues?
I encourage everyone to post their experiences in the shared private forum, and to share their experiences together. If you need any technical support, you are welcome to email me any time. I generally don’t respond personally to your comments, but I may do from time to time.
The programme is designed in such a way that it is accessible regardless of what time zone you live in. You can watch the pre-recorded course videos and post in the forum whenever you like.
You use the terms 'ecotherapy' and 'nature therapy' on this website. Are they the same?
Yes, they both mean exactly the same thing! They refer to any activities that aim to improve people's wellbeing by connecting with nature. I use both terms because some people search online for one term, and some people search for another.
Who is nature therapy for?
Everyone! Some people are drawn to nature therapy when they are experiencing emotional troubles and are looking for a positive therapy. Some people join simply because they love nature but are struggling to connect with it, and want to learn new tools to engage with it more deeply.
Do I need any materials to do this course?
I ask you to keep personal notes for each exercise. You might like to buy yourself a special new journal beforehand, but it's not essential—some people prefer to keep electronic notes. Some exercises might be enhanced by taking photographs, but this isn't necessary and even if you choose to, any standard smartphone camera will suffice.
How long after signing up does the programme start?
Straight away! Don't worry if you aren't quite ready to start though: just because you get access to the units every 7 days by email, it doesn't mean that you have to do them within that particular week. Start when it feels right for you. You will be sent your course access links within 24 hours of paying.
I did this course recently and it was a lot more expensive. Why is that?
When I ran previous versions of this course, I offered my personal support during every exercise, and there was also an online group event. As I have had to dedicate my time to other ecotherapy work, I was no longer able to offer that level of support on this programme. I did however want to leave the programme out there as I know how transformative it has been for people; hence this budget option! (I am still here for support if anyone needs me, it's just more 'light touch' than it was previously.)
What can I expect to get out of this programme?
This programme is not a training course for ecotherapists; it is a personal wellbeing programme and the focus is on you—not working with others. However, if you are interested in ecotherapy training, then I recommend the Ten Directions course, which I am a tutor for.
I think it is always wise when promoting a therapeutic course not to promise that it can change every difficult issue in your life for the better. However, nature therapy, for many people, is a transformative practice. This programme is designed to make your life more peaceful and joyful. The exercises learned in these four weeks are designed so that you can easily incorporate them into your life once the course is over. The aim is to create a deep connection to nature that lasts long after the course has finished, and the feedback I receive is often powerful!