Institution: Antioch University Seattle
Position: Graduate student
Research: As a therapist, I find myself exploring our relationship to the earth and how this can be used as a tool in healing. It appears that the relationship between the body, the natural environment, and the earth provides a healing environment that can facilitate the process of therapy at many levels. I have studied movement and body integrated therapies because I believe the body is a bridge to the natural environment that surrounds us. My long term study of Process Oriented Psychology according to Arnold Mindell, and my more recent exploration of social construction theory have allowed me to develop a belief that the body, and the environment or field that surrounds it, provides what is necessary for healing to occur in a natural, integrated manner. My personal orientation as a therapist enables me to relinquish the role as expert in favor of being present with what is unfolding, and through this respecting the integrity of the individual and the wisdom of their healing process. This allows me a stance in which therapy is a process of co-creation between equal partners. We are participating in a learning process, and ideally, both of us will leave knowing more about this learning process and the pursuit of knowledge.
Publications: Recently I have been exploring project NATURE CONNECT by Michael Cohen. This self-guided course, which is available over E-Mail, is an exploration into "creating moments that let Earth teach". The course materials are composed of two books; Well Mind, Well Earth: 97 Environmentally Sensitive Activities for Stress Management, Spirit, and Self-Esteem (1995) and Connecting with Nature: Creating Moments That Let Earth Teach (1989). Both books are written by Michael J. Cohen and published by World Peace University Press. This course is an exploration in regaining the senses that connect our bodies with the earth in a holistic manner, and using this to participate in the healing matrix that is composed of the Earth and our natural environment. These exercises are shared within community (either in person or as part of an e-mail interact group) to support and validate the new experiences.
I would like to invite the reader to participate in a shortened version of
this course available over E-mail. The course materials consist of some
introductory materials and 8 activities. It is available through
Additional Information:
Additional information on project NATURE CONNECT is available through the
following source: http://www.pacificrim.net/~nature/
Other articles by Michael J. Cohen can be obtained through:
Contact:
pnc.articles@igc.apc.org
ecopsych-article@igc.apc.org
wmwe-reviews@igc.apc.org
greening-article@igc.apc.org