Ecotherapy

Did you know that we spend on average over 95% of our lives indoors? Excessive indoor living may be impacting us in ways we have neglected to understand, such as chronic fatigue, mood fluctuations and anxiety.

There is currently a large body of evidence growing that is proving that continued disconnect from our natural world is producing a generation of “indoor addicts” which may be costing us our emotional health~ Dyment (2008), Matsuoka (2008), Faber & Kuo (2008).I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." - John Burroughs

Ecotherapy utilizes the principles of NSTP (Natural Systems Thinking Processes).  NSTP brings our natural abilities (only nurtured in outdoor environments) to provide our own physical and emotional well-being.  This work group is being facilitated by Kim Keenan, MSW, LCSW and current PhD candidate in Applied Ecopsychology through Portland State University and Project Nature Connect.

Who would best benefit from NSTP?  Adults 18 and over who are interested in a natural method to treat fatigue, low mood, restlessness, and low grade anxieties. NSTP is best suited for those individuals suffering from mild to moderate conditions who seek a healthy option to treatment or wish to augment the treatment they are currently receiving.

You should be
• Interested in learning forms of meditation and reflection.
• Able to participate in simple hiking or walking on dirt paths.
• Willing to share your experiences in a small group.
• Open to becoming a “morning person” as these techniques are best learned in quiet, wooded, safe environments early in the day.

Group Structure~ Small group structure of 6-8 people
Meeting Place~ Forest Park Nature Center
Times~ Saturdays from 8-9:00 a.m. (Must be willing to meet by 15 minutes to 8)
Commitment~ Attend 5 Saturdays and be willing to complete the 15 minutes of quiet reflection exercises daily on your own.

Attend as many of the five week dedicated sessions in order to elicit the most from your experience.  For those individuals who cannot commit to all 5, we ask that you notify us as to the sessions you will be unable to attend so that we can review that week's work.

Cost:  Because our work group is based on mutual community support, there is no dedicated fee for this group.  We accept donation based upon what you feel you can afford or want to contribute to assist with other gitm Foundation programs.  If you do not wish to make a donation, but want to be a part of a healing experience, then please come join us.  For an application or more information, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.” ~ Mother Teresa

EDUCATING, COUNSELING AND HEALING WITH NATURE: subsidized holistic courses, degrees and careers. Strengthen your life and livelihood by greening it. Enable the restorative powers of nature's amazing grace to help us all, hand in hand, walk Mother Earth's path to balance, sustainability and well being.  Project NatureConnect l P. O. Box 1605 Friday Harbor, WA l 360-378-6313