Ceremonies and Nature-based Rituals in Counseling – HPP 09
Episode 09
Katie Asmus, MA, LPC
We live in a fast-paced environment. Very few people are immune to the distracting side of technology that can dismember our connection to the natural world. But nature is forgiving in many ways and waiting for us to reconnect with her whenever we choose.
There’s something beautiful about the natural world. It doesn’t seem to hold grudges like people even if we do things like hurt the environment. Sure nature seeks balance and will course correct itself, but it still seems to offer us an invitation into connection on every hike we take, whenever we smell a bouquet of flowers on our table, and hear birds chirping out of the window.
Our connection with nature is paramount to feeling connected to something beyond the self. Without this connection we can feel isolated, withdrawn and even empty. So, this brings into question a very important topic that we are going to discuss today. What role does nature have in psychotherapy?
In this episode, you’re going to hear about wilderness therapy and nature-based therapy and the ways they differ. One of the most compelling topics in this interview is how you can use nature-based ritual and ceremony to foster healing in your clients so that you are not always relying on yourself as the primary healer.
Our guest, Katie Asmus is a master teacher and psychotherapist specializing in the modalities of wilderness and somatic therapies with a focus on ceremony and ritual, finding one’s purpose in life and somatic soul-based trauma work. She has been incorporating wilderness, adventure and relationship with the natural world into her professional and personal work for over 25 years.
Show Notes:
The difference between nature-based and wilderness therapy [13:40]
The pros and cons of wilderness interventions for teens [17:10]
Examples of nature-based work with clients [21:30]
Research focus in the field of wilderness therapy [25:06]
When is it best to not bring a client outdoors [29:45]
Are there certain clinical issues that respond well to nature-based therapies [33:30]
