Ecotherapy in Scotland.
Retreats, groups and training weekends in Midlothian and beyond.
(The above image is of the ruins of Hirendean Castle in the Moorfoot Hills, Scotland. Photo by Jim Barton)
Winter to Spring: An Ecotherapy Retreat in the Scottish Lowlands
February 17th and 18th 2024 in Temple, Midlothian
During this wintery weekend we will be working with art, myth and mindfulness. We will experience, as a group, this special and liminal time of the year together; Imbolc, when winter slowly turns towards the light.
How does it feel to walk silently and mindfully as a group through cool winds or even snow?
What do the old nature myths of Scotland teach us about this special time of year?
How can we express these deep and powerful experiences with art?
This weekend is suitable for anybody with an interest in ecotherapy. It is suitable for those who simply want to experience some ecotherapy for themselves, yet also for those who are training in this field. There will be some reflection time at the end of each day where we can explore our personal experiences of the retreat, and/or look at how this kind of work can be offered to others.
See photos below from the ‘Art and Myth’ weekend which happened in Temple, Midlothian, in Summer 2022 (which I ran with Stephanie Whitelaw for Tariki Trust).
Green Temple Therapy is based in Midlothian, near Edinburgh, Scotland. I regularly run ecotherapy projects for charities and organisations in Edinburgh and beyond. I currently run ecotherapy groups and 1-2-1 sessions through the wonderful Edinburgh-based charity Health All Round, where I am employed as their resident ecotherapist. I also regularly run one-off sessions for other local organisations and I work further across Scotland on request.
St. Mary’s Loch, Scottish Borders
My work connects people with nature through mindfulness, creativity, local folklore and relaxed ecotherapy walks. I am currently working with individuals and groups online and outdoors. My approach is creative and I enjoy tailoring nature therapy activities to the community/setting that I am working in.
I also offer 45 minute in-person walk-and-talk ecotherapy sessions in Midlothian with individuals. However, if you prefer to work online for 1-2-1 sessions, you can find out more about that on the ‘personal sessions’ page here.
Gladhouse Reservoir, Midlothian
If you are a business, charity, project or even an individual who would like to book some nature therapy for yourself or a group, please get in touch to discuss rates. As a guide, a one-hour Zoom session is generally £50, and outdoor sessions (1–2 hours) are around £150 (plus expenses). If you are looking for ecotherapy in Edinburgh, the Lothians, or indeed anywhere in Scotland, I may be the practitioner for you; I’m happy to travel and I love to discover the nature of this beautiful country of ours, from Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders to the Highlands and Islands!
Isle of Barra, Scotland
To find out more about my qualifications and experience, click here.
To find out more about ecotherapy in general, please visit the Tariki Trust website here. Also, feel free to scroll down and watch a recent presentation of mine for the 2021 online conference, ‘What is Ecotherapy'?’
I look forward to hearing from you!
My closing presentation for the Tariki Trust’s 2021 conference, ‘What is Ecotherapy?’
“‘I would like to thank you Stephen for your hard work and understanding. I now have a huge appreciation of my surroundings, ie the wind, water, colour, smell, trees, and this makes my life more interesting and fulfilling. I simply feel more at peace and happier all round.
— Ecotherapy Client