Professional Certificate in Ecotherapy-Informed Practice (EIP)

 

Integrate the Applied EcoPsychology Framework™ into your professional work with confidence, combining evidence-informed nature-based approaches, ethical clarity, and practical frameworks for supporting wellbeing.

 

Enroll in the Professional Certificate

Who This Training Is For

 

The Professional Certificate in Ecotherapy-Informed Practice is designed for qualified professionals who wish to responsibly integrate nature-based approaches into their existing work.

This program is particularly relevant for professionals working in wellbeing, education, coaching, disability support, and community settings who want a structured and ethically grounded framework for applying nature-informed practices.

This training may be appropriate if you are:

  • A counselor interested in integrating nature-based approaches in non-clinical ways
  • A coach supporting stress regulation, resilience, and personal development
  • An educator incorporating environmental and wellbeing principles into learning environments
  • An allied health or wellbeing practitioner expanding holistic or contextual approaches to wellbeing
  • A disability support worker or NDIS professional interested in nature-based wellbeing activities for participants
  • A community professional designing or facilitating nature-informed programs

The program may also suit professionals who are exploring a transition toward nature-informed work and want greater clarity around ethical practice, professional scope, and responsible application.

The framework is designed to support integration within your existing professional scope of practice.

This program operates within non-clinical boundaries and does not qualify participants as psychologists, psychotherapists, or licensed therapists.

“When people reconnect with nature, something fundamental shifts: stress softens, perspective widens, and a deeper sense of belonging can emerge. I founded EcoPsychology.Co to equip professionals with the frameworks and tools to bring this reconnection into their work, expanding the impact of nature-based wellbeing across communities.” - Dr. Lydia C. Saiz, Founder of EcoPsychology.Co.

Research & Theoretical Foundations

 

This certificate is grounded in established academic research exploring the relationship between human wellbeing and the natural environment. The program translates key insights from environmental psychology, ecopsychology, and contemporary wellbeing science into practical frameworks for professional application.

Core theoretical influences include:

  • Environmental Psychology
    Research examining how physical environments influence human behavior, cognition, and wellbeing.
  • Attention Restoration Theory
    Developed by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, this theory explores how natural environments support cognitive restoration and attentional recovery.
  • Stress Reduction Theory
    Roger Ulrich’s research demonstrating how exposure to natural settings can support physiological and psychological stress regulation.
  • Ecopsychology Foundations
    Conceptual contributions from thinkers such as Theodore Roszak and colleagues exploring the psychological relationship between humans and the natural world.
  • Contemporary Nature-Based Wellbeing Research
    Recent studies examining how contact with natural environments can support resilience, emotional regulation, and overall wellbeing.

A Structured Learning Progression aligned with the Applied EcoPsychology Framework™

  1. FREE PREVIEW

    1 lesson
    1. Foundations of Applied Ecopsychology (+15 Min Regulation Framework)

  2. UNIT 0: GETTING STARTED

    2 lessons
    1. Course Overview
    2. References and Recommended Readings

  3. UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED ECOPSYCHOLOGY (ECOTHERAPY)

    7 lessons
    1. Unit 1 Summary Video
    2. Unit 1 Introduction and Learning Outcomes
    3. Definitions and Key Principles
    4. History and Culture of Nature-Based Healing
    5. The Science of Ecotherapy
    6. Overview of Ecotherapy Techniques
    7. Unit 1 Quiz

  4. UNIT 2: NATURE AND MENTAL HEALTH

    11 lessons
    1. Unit 2 Summary Video
    2. Unit 2 Introduction and Learning Outcomes
    3. Psychological Benefits of Ecotherapy
    4. Physiological Benefits of Nature
    5. Nature and Stress
    6. Nature and Emotional Regulation
    7. Nature and Mood Support
    8. Practical Ways to Use Nature For Mental Health
    9. Nature-Based Approaches for Trauma Support
    10. Self-Reflection and Mindfulness
    11. Unit 2 Reflection Exercise

  5. UNIT 3: INTEGRATING ECOTHERAPY TECHNIQUE FRAMEWORKS

    16 lessons
    1. Unit 3 Summary Video
    2. Unit 3 Introduction and Learning Outcomes
    3. Green Exercise and Movement-Based Ecotherapy
    4. Getting Started with Green Exercise
    5. Green Play for Children
    6. Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku)
    7. Animal-Assisted Ecotherapy
    8. Wilderness Therapy
    9. Nature Mindfulness and Meditation
    10. Ecotherapy for Social Connection
    11. Nature Journaling and Creative Expression
    12. Blue Mind Therapy
    13. Adventure Therapy
    14. Agrotherapy (Therapeutic Farming)
    15. Ecospirituality
    16. Unit 3 Experiential Activity

  6. UNIT 4: ECOTHERAPY IN PRACTICE

    6 lessons
    1. Unit 4 Summary Video
    2. Unit 4 Introduction and Learning Outcomes
    3. Ethical Considerations
    4. Creating Safe Spaces
    5. Blending Ecotherapy with Traditional Therapies
    6. Unit 4 Quiz

  7. UNIT 5: WORKING WITH NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS

    9 lessons
    1. Unit 5 Summary Video
    2. Unit 5 Introduction and Learning Outcomes
    3. Urban Ecotherapy
    4. Using Parks, Beaches, and Bushland
    5. Ecotherapy in Diverse Settings
    6. Safety and Risk Management
    7. Risk Management Plan
    8. Ensuring Participant Safety
    9. Unit 5 Experiential Activity

  8. UNIT 6: CONNECTION, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY

    7 lessons
    1. Unit 6 Summary Video
    2. Unit 6 Introduction and Learning Outcomes
    3. Community-Based Nature Therapy
    4. Global Cultural Perspectives on Nature-Based Healing
    5. Indigenous Perspectives in Ecotherapy
    6. Australian Aboriginal Understandings of Land and Healing
    7. Unit 6 Quiz

  9. UNIT 7: CREATIVE AND EXPERIENTIAL ECOTHERAPY

    6 lessons
    1. Unit 7 Summary Video
    2. Unit 7 Introduction and Learning Outcomes
    3. Journaling, Storytelling, and Reflective Writing
    4. Art-Based Ecotherapy
    5. Ecotherapy for Self-Care and Personal Growth
    6. Unit 7 Experiential Activity

  10. UNIT 8: PROGRAM DESIGN AND FACILITATION

    9 lessons
    1. Unit 8 Summary Video
    2. Unit 8 Introduction and Learning Outcomes
    3. Structuring Individual Sessions
    4. Structuring Group Sessions
    5. Selecting Nature Activities to Meet Therapeutic Goals
    6. Adapting for Age, Ability, Trauma History, and Neurodiversity
    7. Building Rapport
    8. Managing Emotional Responses and Group Energy
    9. Unit 8 Final Assessment

  11. UNIT 9: STEPPING FORWARD AS AN ECOTHERAPY-INFORMED PRACTITIONER

    3 lessons
    1. Applied Ecopsychology Toolkit for Practitioners
    2. Starting Your Own Nature-Based Practice
    3. Next Steps & Summary Video

How Graduates Apply Their Training

 

Graduates of the Professional Certificate in Ecotherapy-Informed Practice integrate nature-based approaches into their professional work in ways that are appropriate to their qualifications, professional roles, and organizational environments.

The certificate provides a structured foundation for applying nature-informed principles within a range of professional contexts.

Common areas of application include:

  • Coaching and structured reflective practice
  • Educational settings and wellbeing-focused learning activities
  • Community-based programs and outdoor initiatives
  • Organizational wellbeing and staff resilience programs
  • Nature-informed group facilitation and workshops
  • Stress regulation and resilience-focused wellbeing activities
  • Disability support and NDIS participant wellbeing activities in natural environments

The program is designed to support responsible integration within existing professional roles and scope of practice.

Completion of the certificate does not replace regulated mental health training and does not qualify participants as psychologists, psychotherapists, or licensed therapists.

What Our Students Say

 

Michael Tran - Disability Support Worker

“As a disability support worker, I was already working closely with people’s wellbeing, but I wanted more meaningful tools beyond indoor activities. This certificate provided practical frameworks I could safely integrate into community and outdoor settings. It strengthened my confidence while reinforcing clear ethical boundaries.”


Dr. Hannah Whitfield - Clinical Psychologist 

“As a registered psychologist, I appreciated the program’s respect for scope and evidence. It does not attempt to replace clinical training, but instead offers thoughtful, research-informed perspectives on human–nature connection that can complement therapeutic work when applied appropriately.”


Rebecca Lawson - Career Transition Participant

 “After 12 years working in corporate administration, I knew I wanted a career that felt more aligned with my values and connection to nature. This training gave me a structured, responsible pathway to transition into wellbeing work without abandoning professionalism. It helped me move forward with clarity rather than impulse.”


Begin With the Preview Module

Explore the foundational principles introduced in the Professional Certificate in Ecotherapy-Informed Practice and experience the learning approach before enrolment.

Access the Free Preview Module

FAQ

Is this Certificate the Right Fit for Your Practice?

If you have specific questions about the curriculum, professional hours, or how the framework applies to your unique field, we invite you to reach out. 

Enquire About the Program