Ecotherapy in New York City: A Nature-Based and Trauma-Informed Approach

Wake, butterfly—

it’s late, we’ve miles

to go together.

-Bashō, translated by Lucien Stryk

Ecotherapy, also known as nature-based therapy, is founded on the premise that people benefit from a connection with nature*, and nature, in turn, benefits from our tenderness, gratitude, and mindful participation. A meaningful relationship with nature can improve emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and even support trauma recovery. However, the overwhelming pace and productivity of our lives obscure the healing potential of a deep connection with nature. The opportunity for nature connection lies dormant like a denning black bear awaiting the promise of reuniting with spring.

Those of us in busy metropolises like New York City are probably familiar with the tension of anxiously racing toward the future while also waiting–hoping–for a change. For many, a unification with nature through a personal practice, culture, spirituality, or therapeutic modality like ecotherapy is one antidote to this tension. At its core, ecotherapy integrates traditional talk therapy with intentional nature connection, offering a grounded and relational approach to healing trauma, stress, and emotional disconnection.

*By nature, I mean plants, animals, stones, rivers: the Earth, her processes, her inhabitants. Some other names for nature are Mother Nature, the natural world, the more-than-human world, and the other-than-human world (though humans are part of nature, too!). Of course, many more names exist from different cultures, spiritualities, and languages. What name feels right to you?

What to Expect in Ecotherapy Sessions

“What is your relationship with nature like?” In ecotherapy, your connection with nature is considered as important as your relationships with family members, close friends, and partners. From this foundation, we integrate nature connection into the language and logic of talk therapy. Ecotherapy can take many forms, depending on your needs, preferences, and therapeutic goals.

Some of the ways ecotherapy may be incorporated into sessions include:

• Noticing and exploring the environment - Whether sessions take place in Atrium’s West Village therapy office, over telehealth, or outdoors in a NYC park, we tune into the world abuzz with life around us to better understand your story, memories, emotions, and wishes.

• Developing relationships with nature allies - Nature allies are the beings you return to again and again for support: your loyal dog, a neighborhood oak that graciously offers shade, or a flower that has come to symbolize hope. Together, we identify and nurture these relationships as sources of grounding and care.

• Participating in guided breathing and meditation exercises - Nature connection can be strengthened through mindfulness, even in indoor or virtual sessions. We may engage in breathwork to feel supported by nature’s gift of air, or use guided visualization to cultivate a sense of refuge.

• Creating nature metaphors to make meaning - When life feels chaotic or overwhelming, nature metaphors can help organize and express complex experiences. We might explore which season best represents a current transition–winter, spring, summer, or fall–to understand hope, loss, or growth.

• Reading and writing nature-inspired poetry - Poetry often finds the words and images for experiences and feelings that otherwise seem inexpressible. We can follow in the tradition of nature-based writing and reflection as a creative way to deepen emotional expression and nature connection.

These ecotherapy practices can be central to the therapeutic process or woven in gradually, depending on what feels most supportive for you. At Atrium, ecotherapy sessions are available via telehealth throughout New York State and in NYC, including outdoor sessions in local parks and in-office therapy in the West Village.

Who Is a Good Fit for Ecotherapy?

Ecotherapy is especially suited for people seeking trauma therapy, particularly after experiencing trauma inflicted by other humans. The wounds of relational trauma can be sources of shame and fear of retraumatization: secrets that may feel unspeakable or unsafe to share with another person. As a form of trauma-informed therapy, ecotherapy offers a gentle relational approach with nature connection as an outlet for being witnessed, understood, and supported. As we build the foundation of our trusting therapeutic relationship, nature can be a holding and nonjudgmental partner to processing your pain, grief, and growth.

For those who are suffering from disconnection (from themself, others, the world), ecotherapy is a chance to reconnect safely and intentionally. Together, we will find nature allies and spaces with whom relationships feel like generous invitations for meaningful relationships.

Some others who may benefit from ecotherapy are those who feel trapped by urban environments like NYC; those who are suffering from low mood or high stress; those seeking to rekindle their nature connection; those who are curious about what nature has to offer; artists and other creatives seeking inspiration; and those who like the idea of meeting with their therapist in a sunny park, close to the soil.

If you’re interested in ecotherapy in NYC or wondering whether a trauma-informed, nature-based therapy approach will support your journey, you’re welcome to reach out to schedule a consultation and learn more about what working together could look like.