About me
I know from lived experience how challenging, raw, isolating and confusing it can feel to navigate the world at times. I have my own stories of relational trauma and wounding. Yet I have also experienced how deepening one’s relationship with nature brings us back home to ourselves and into a more aligned, grounded, and soulful way of living - one that seeks to be in service to the web of life. It would be an honour to walk beside you on your own unique journey of self-discovery and healing with nature.
On a personal level I follow a druidic path (OBOD), and animism and nature-based spirituality underpin my practice. As an ecotherapist I weave all my personal and vocational experience together to offer an embodied, soul-centric, trauma-informed and evidence-based approach.
Below I have outlined my formal training, qualifications, and experience.
Training and Qualifications
I have completed three years formal training in Applied Ecopsychology with Natural Academy and I am qualified to practice as an ecotherapist and eco-depth practitioner. I am also accredited to deliver NatureWell sessions — a restorative nature-based approach for health and wellbeing. I am a member of the Nature and Health Practice Network, a UK body for nature based practitioners, and I follow their practioner guidelines.
Qualifications:
Level 4 - Advanced Pathway Applied Ecopsychology and Nature-Based Practice (2 years advance practice training)
Level 3 - Ecopsychology and Nature Connection Facilitator (1 year foundation training)
In addition to this I have also completed a Level 3 Foundation in Counselling. I also have 18 years' prior experience of working with adults in the NHS as an occupational therapist where I worked with various client groups including those who have long-term complex health conditions, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, neurological conditions including stroke and brain injury, mental health difficulties, older adults and individuals diagnosed with dementia. Prior to working as an occupational therapist I was a mental health support worker for four years.
I am currently insured to work as an ecotherapist and I am DBS checked. I have professional supervision, peer supervision as well as personal therapy to ensure my practice is safe and up to date. I have an up-to-date outdoor first aid qualification. I have also completed training as a shamanic practitioner, Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) training, and Reiki levels 1 & 2.
Continuing Personal and Professional Development
In addition to the above experience and qualifications I am committed to my ongoing personal and professional development and have completed the following courses/workshops:
October 2023 - March 2024 - Soul Pilgrimage - a monthly Soul Craft nature-based group co-led by guides - Rebecca Card (Nature Wisdom) and Claire Milne (Starter Culture)
October 2023 BFA accredited Level 1 Introduction to Focusing, Paula Charnley
July 2023 Eco-somatics, summer workshop, Carla Walmsley-Esteves, Tariki Trust
March 2023 Pesso Boyden Residential Experiential Workshop, NCIP accredited course
March 2023 Working with sounds and silience in ecotherapy, Tariki Trust
21st-25th July 2022 - The way of council and the art of mirroing, Animus Valley Institute and Nature Wisdom
June 2022 Leading accessible sensory nature walks, Sense
April-June 2022 Eco-somatics, Carla Walmsley-Esteves, Tariki Trust
March 2022 Mapping relationships using natural objects, Tariki Trust
March 2022 Eco-somatics, spring workshop, Carla Walmsley-Esteves, Tariki Trust
November 2021 - Writing from earth's landscapes, Tariki Trust
October 2021 - February 2022 - Elemental Eros (spiral one), Dancing Serpent Mystery School
February 2021 - Introduction to Soul Craft, Animus Valley Institute and Embercombe