You hear a lot of talk about “privilege” these days, access or advantages granted to certain people just because of their membership in a social group. What does privilege mean in terms of access to healthy and safe natural settings, and the ability to go on outdoor adventures? My walking therapy colleague Aimee Frazier and… Continue reading Doing the Privilege Walk
Category: articles
Thomas Doherty in Prevention Magazine
I spoke with Jake Smith for this article from Prevention on coping with climate anxiety. There were also several good points shared by David H. Rosmarin, Ph.D. an assistant professor in psychology at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Center for Anxiety.
Walking Therapy and Nature-Based Stress Reduction
When someone asks me, as a psychologist, “Why do you offer walking therapy?” Or “Why would you take therapy outdoors?” I generally respond “Why not do walking therapy? Why not get outside?”
I think of Walking Therapy as an innovative, evidence based practice. In general terms, we know being outdoors is good for our health. We know moving and being physically active is good for our health. We know prolonged sitting and being sedentary is bad for health (on average taking two years off our lives).
Addressing Climate Change Concerns in Psychology Practice
I was able to collaborate with science writer Melodie Schreiber and group of psychologists and climate researchers to create this article about addressing concerns and distress about the climate crisis —targeted to professional counselors and healthcare providers. These professionals can obtain continuing education credits by studying the article.
Are Your Kids Feeling Eco-Anxiety over Climate Change?
[image: Marinel Sheu | Eco Anxiety] I spoke with my friend and colleague Lisa Cohn about children and climate change recently, for an issue of PDX Parent. Lisa and her son Michael, age 11, are co-authors of the “Bash and Lucy” books and audiobooks. Some of Michael’s anxieties about climate change were prompted by the… Continue reading Are Your Kids Feeling Eco-Anxiety over Climate Change?
Thomas Doherty interview at APA PsycIQ
Source: Thomas Doherty works at the Intersection of Psychology and Environmental Science Delia O’Hara | June 7, 2018 Clinical psychologist Thomas Doherty has coined a term — “climate hostages” — to describe people who feel the urgency of the climate change crisis but must cope with denial of the phenomenon among segments of the population. Practicing with a… Continue reading Thomas Doherty interview at APA PsycIQ
Groundhog Day as a Time of Inspiration
This article was originally posted by Dr. Thomas Doherty in 2017. “Ground Hog Day” is always on February 2. The forecast is cloudy for the Pacific Northwest tomorrow, so likely to be challenging for people or other mammals to see their shadow! Think about the time around Groundhog Day as opportunity to celebrate that you made it… Continue reading Groundhog Day as a Time of Inspiration
Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Implications, and Guidance | Climate for Health
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ border_style=”solid”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”no” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=””][fusion_text]Source: Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Implications, and Guidance “Any of the interlinked… Continue reading Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Implications, and Guidance | Climate for Health
Teaching and Learning Mindfulness Meditation
If we can call on an ability to remain present, this increases our options. We can be more resourceful. We can act rather than react. You practice mindfulness so that this state becomes more common in your life. Mindfulness, as in “mindfulness meditation,” has been defined simply as “paying attention, on purpose, in the… Continue reading Teaching and Learning Mindfulness Meditation
An Office that Improves Your Mental Health
“Ideally your office should have a clean, living, generative sense—one that fosters a renewed sense of physical vitality, alertness and creativity for your clients and yourself…” At the 2013 American Psychological Association (APA) Meeting, I provided a therapist’s perspective at presentation “Design of the Psychotherapist’s Office – Lessons from Research and Experience.” During the talk,… Continue reading An Office that Improves Your Mental Health