Towards an Ecopsychotherapy
Author: Mary-Jayne Rust
Psychotherapy invites us to tell the story of our human relationships; ecopsychotherapy expands this to include our earth story, the context or continuum in which our human relationships sit. Ecopsychotherapy is not simply a technique to be applied in therapy: it involves a change in perspective. While practising therapy outdoors is a radical shift that can support and facilitate the healing process, it also acknowledges that our relationship with the earth is both inside and outside ourselves. As climate chaos quickens and increasing numbers of people are waking up to the seriousness of our environmental crisis, we are becoming more aware of our dysfunctional relationship with the earth – the body on whom we depend for everything. Ecopsychotherapy can help to support our reconnection with nature and to discover hope in turbulent times.
REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS
“Mary-Jayne Rust provides a succinct, heartfelt overview of ecopsychotherapy. Given the current state of global environmental destruction, the wisdom in this book is needed now more than ever.” Jeffrey T Kiehl, Jungian analyst, climate scientist, author of Facing Climate Change
“In her characteristic style, Mary-Jayne presents ecopsychotherapy in an incisive way, with her richness of experience bringing the subject to life. This thought-provoking book touches on the heart of controversies in this field – our need to grow new terminology – and to actively ensure our spaces are inclusive. This is an invaluable introduction to ecopsychotherapy and is also sure to deepen the work of more seasoned practitioners.” Emma Palmer, Body psychotherapist, BACP-accredited counsellor, ecopsychologist, supervisor, trainer and author of Other Than Mother.
“If psychotherapy is to remain relevant, it must change and recognize that we exist as part of, not apart from, Nature. I trust Mary-Jayne Rust more than anyone else to guide us there.” Jerome Bernstein, Jungian Analyst, author of Living in the Borderland.
“An intelligent and beautifully written contribution to an important new development in psychotherapy, one which will be increasingly important in the future. Mary-Jayne Rust is a recognised pioneer in the field, and we are fortunate to have her share her experience with us.” Nick Totton, Psychotherapist, trainer and author of Wild Therapy.
“As humans we are not apart from the ecosystem. Our being-ness is interwoven with earth, sky and all that lies between. In this beautifully written book, Mary-Jayne Rust shares her considerable experience as a psychotherapist working ecopsychotherapeutically within the greater context of our planetary situation and current ecological and climatic crises.” Caroline Brazier, psychotherapist, author of Ecotherapy in Practice – A Buddhist Model
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary-Jayne Rust is an art therapist and Jungian analyst. Alongside her private practice she writes, lectures and facilitates workshops in the field of ecopsychology. In the 1980s she worked at the Women’s Therapy Centre with women with eating problems; this led to a wider interest in the roots of consumerism, the connections between body and psyche, land, and soul. Two journeys to Ladakh in the early 1990s alerted her to the seriousness of the environmental crisis, and gave her a brief glimpse of an almost intact traditional culture. On return she joined the PCSR ecopsychology group. This group of ten therapists met monthly for five years, discussing theory and exploring the practice of ecopsychology. She grew up beside the sea and is wild about swimming. Now she lives and works beside ancient woodland in North London.
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