Where do you turn if you want to train in Ecopschology? There are, as yet, no full time course in Ecopsychology in the UK. So we have listed the modules that are available and/or teachers and lecturers who are interested in integrating ecopsychology ideas into existing courses.
Undergraduate Ecopsychology modules:
Bournemouth University: Paul Stevens teaches an ecopscyhology and environmental psychology module within the psychology degree.
Keele University: offers a Psychology Bachelor’s degree with a module in Ecopsychology taught by Dr John Hegarty.
Postgraduate Ecopsychology modules:
London South Bank University: Paul Maiteny tutors and writes for the MSc programme in Education for Sustainability. His units are informed by ecopsychology. This distance learning course has been running since 1995.
Schumacher College: Offer an MSc in Holistic science as well as short courses.
Strathclyde University: The Centre for Human Ecology offers the first postgraduate Ecopsychology module as part of a Masters in Human Ecology. CHE is a network for ecological and social transformation, offering courses for people who want to “be the change,” help organisations pursue greener, more ethical practices, and work towards tackling the root causes of global issues. Committed to enduring, systemic change, they describe their approach as engaging head, heart, and hand – integrating reason, passion, and action for a better world. Sadly, this cross-disciplinary Masters degree is now in its last two years. However, the CHE will continue in some form. Watch this space!
In development: Essex University: Jungian analyst Andrew Samuels writes: We are looking at ecopsychology/environment/’nature’ on the Applications Module of the Masters in Jungian and Post-Jungian Studies.
Psychotherapy and Counselling trainings:
Brighton University: Martin Jordan, Chris Wilton and Sue Sully teach aspects of Ecopsychology on the psychodynamic counselling training.
Re-Vision Psychotherapy Training, London: starting a 6 month post-qualification ecopsychology training in October 2010 (see under ‘cont. prof. dev)
Surrey University: Dr Martin Milton lectures and writes on the restorative power of the natural world. He is Senior Lecturer on the University of Surrey Practitioner Doctorate in Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology.
In development: Bath Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy: Body Psychotherapist Tree Staunton is developing an Ecopsychology module as part of this MA course. She writes: A Humanistic approach to psychotherapy implies a profound respect for humanity in its many diverse forms, and we extend that empathic stance to our planet and the other living creatures with whom we share it. We join with a growing body of professionals who are seeking, through Ecopsychology, to create a vital field of enquiry into the connections between personal and planetary well being. As we begin to face the consequences of what we have done to our Earth home, what seeps into our consciousness is the grief and terror at the unprecedented loss of life on our planet now, and in the generations to follow us. Ecopsychology is the work of this moment.
Courses and Trainings outside the UK include:
USA: Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado USA offers both undergraduate courses in ecopsychology, the Psychology of Wilderness Experience, and more. Also on offer is an ecopsychology degree via distance learning.
California Institute for Integral Studies offers an MA in ‘Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness’ as well as doctoral programmes in Social and Cultural Anthropology, East-West Psychology; Transformative Studies (online program). Faculty and associates include Joanna Macy, Brian Swimme, Susan Griffin, Charlene Spretnak, Starhawk, and more.
Northland College, Wisconsin has a Nature and Culture department and offers majors in Humanity and Nature Studies, Native American Studies and Outdoor Education. Teaching staff include ecopsychologists Jorge Conesa-Sevilla and Lorraine Fish.
University of Wisonsin Superior: Susan Loonsk and others offers an expressive ecopsychology module within visual arts: http://www.uwsuper.edu/acaddept/art/studio/ecopsy.cfm
Friday Harbor, WA: Educating, Counselling and Healing with Nature at Project NatureConnect .
Lewis and Clark Graduate School, Portland: Thomas Doherty runs an ecopsychology course as part of the counselling programme at Lewis and Clark graduate school.
There is also Antioch University, Seattle; Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, CA; and the Holos Institute in San Francisco.
A list of further ideas is on: http://ecopsychology.athabascau.ca/0197/ecostudy.htm
AUSTRALIA: University of Western Sydney, Australia, offers a Masters Programme in Social Ecology taught by Stuart Hill.