Green healing: Ecotherapy as a transformative model of health and social care

Amy Isham, Luke Jefferies, Jesse Blackburn, Zoe Fisher and Andrew H. Kemp
Current Opinion in Psychology, Vol 62 | April 2025

Summary

The healthcare sector makes a significant contribution to global environmental impacts. While efforts are underway to reduce emissions, this article explores ecotherapy as an innovative approach to treatment and public health that could further mitigate emissions while improving health outcomes. Ecotherapy involves nature-based interventions that reconnect individuals with the natural environment, offering both mental and physical health benefits.

Evidence suggests that ecotherapy can help alleviate conditions such as depression and anxiety, foster social cohesion, and promote pro-environmental attitudes. Despite its promise, barriers such as cultural perceptions and issues of accessibility hinder wider adoption. The article highlights the need for trained practitioners and standardised evaluations to support the integration of ecotherapy into mainstream health and social care, delivering co-benefits for both human and planetary health.

Further Reading