Haley Conroy - 3/21/23 - Ecotherapy Annotated Bibliography Due Date Exploration & Personal Reflection - (Own Topic Blog)

 It is important to explore natural ecosystems and how they provide services upon which humans depend. I believe one of the many issues with society and their relationship with nature is how some people tend to believe that these ‘services’ that nature provides so to speak are provided for free, and therefore; that these services have little or no value. Ecotherapy can be defined as “the ability of interaction with nature to enhance healing and growth” (Summers, 2018). Scholarly researcher - Summers, specifically points out how ecotherapy is one of the ecosystem services that nature provides and is solely based on the theories of ecopsychology. Broadly speaking, ecopsychology is an area of psychology that embraces ecology and aims to be holistic in theory and practice. To translate, I believe this ideal means that from an ecotherapy perspective, the health and well-being of a human is viewed in the context of the health of the earth and its natural ecosystems. While we do not pay for these services from nature, its loss can result in an even bigger cost to humans which will eventually negatively impact recovery times, greater distress, and reduced well-being. This is something very important that we have talked about in terms of humans' relationship with nature in many of my religion, ecology, and environmental courses. Additionally, we as a society bear the significant cost for their loss regarding increased illness, reduced soil fertility, and losses in those images of natural ecosystems that contribute to and enrich our basic happiness. Ecotherapy aims to enunciate the idea of reconnection and seeks to remind humans that we are part of ecosystems rather than separate from them. Ecotherapy is evidenced by numerous approaches, including: green exercise, green views, horticultural therapy, wilderness therapy, body therapy through movement, art therapy, and even animal-assisted therapy. Ecotherapy can also focus on the elements of mindfulness practices where both nature and human beings serve as therapists, assisting the client towards healing. I had never heard of the term ‘ecotherapy’ prior to my annotated bibliography research and I find it so very interesting. Without me even realizing, I have most definitely taken part in ecotherapy by going for runs outside, hiking to find a pretty view that amazes me, climbing a glacier or volcano and feeling proud and uplifted after, or even just sitting on the beach. Very amazing and insightful research here!