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: Personal Sustainability
The Story of the Climate Change and Happiness Podcast
In late 2019, I began to create a podcast to help people cope with the climate crisis. I had been involved with climate change and mental health issues for many years and had many contacts among researchers and climate change experts. My original plan for “Climate Change and Happiness” was both modest and ambitious. I… Continue reading The Story of the Climate Change and Happiness Podcast
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).
Speaking of Psychology Podcast 138: How to Cope with Climate Anxiety with Dr. Thomas Doherty and Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo
Well-timed for Earth Day, I am pleased to share the new episode of the American Psychological Association’s Speaking of Psychology Podcast. I had the honor of guesting, along with Ashlee Consolo a well-respected Canadian climate change researcher and expert on climate impacts on Inuit people of the far north.
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.
“I Love You Forever and Always” — A Book for Moms with Young Children Confronting Breast Cancer
My wife Chelsea Harper was diagnosed with Stage IV (metastatic) breast cancer in 2010. She was just 35 years old. Her diagnosis was a heavy and unexpected blow for our family. And for Chelsea, a young woman in the prime of health, with a daughter just about to turn three, in the midst of building… Continue reading “I Love You Forever and Always” — A Book for Moms with Young Children Confronting Breast Cancer
Lunch & Learn January 8, 2020: Rebooting your Personal Operating System for the New Year
You may have heard me speak or write about imagining your mind as “Your Psychological “Operating System” with cognitive “programs” that guide how you think about yourself, get along with others, and perform at work and at home. And, to improve our operating system, we must deal with “Overcoming Your Psychological “Code Debt” – the… Continue reading Lunch & Learn January 8, 2020: Rebooting your Personal Operating System for the New Year
Sift News “Climate Change and Mental Health” Podcast
https://soundcloud.com/allturtlespodcast/sift-climate-change-and-mental-health The Sift News Therapy App created this helpful “Climate Change and Mental Health” podcast. It features interviews with myself, psychiatrist Dr. Lise Van Susteren, and Dr. Kyle Whyte of Michigan State University. If you are interested in climate change and coping, I recommend this podcast. [Side note: The interviews took place this summer after… Continue reading Sift News “Climate Change and Mental Health” Podcast
10 Activities for (Fun) Fall Maintenance for Mental Health and Wellbeing 2019
October 2019 – I am updating my Fall Season Wellbeing post from last year. Its lessons stand the test of time. They also remind me to practice what I preach. But, there are a few updates required. Last year, I gave advice about “handling the November [midterm] election” noting that it was a “politically fraught… Continue reading 10 Activities for (Fun) Fall Maintenance for Mental Health and Wellbeing 2019
“The entire wooden interior of Notre Dame Cathedral has been lost” — CNN Online 15 April 2019
From: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame “He therefore turned to mankind only with regret. His cathedral was enough for him. It was peopled with marble figures of kings, saints and bishops who at least did not laugh in his face and looked at him with only tranquility and benevolence. The other statues, those of monsters and demons,… Continue reading “The entire wooden interior of Notre Dame Cathedral has been lost” — CNN Online 15 April 2019