I have had great connections with fellow researchers, therapists, counselors, coaches and activists this fall. Yes, we have all been coping with the stress of the COVID-19 Pandemic. But, we have maintained our focus on other important issues like climate change, social justice, and the rights of nature. I wanted to share this podcast I did with Brandon Baker of the Coach’s Circle. We discussed my career and how I weave a focus on nature and climate change into psychology. Brandon was a great interviewer and we were able to get to many aspects of my background and my work. See information and listen to the podcast below.
— Thomas Doherty, Psy. D.
Welcome to another episode of The Coach’s Circle Podcast!
Our show is all about showing you everything the world of coaching has to offer–what it is, what it isn’t, and whether it might be the right career choice for you.
Through our conversations with professionals in a variety of different mental health and wellness fields, you’ll gain valuable, real-world insight into their careers and consider how their experiences might impact your own career choices. Our interviews will feature coaches, therapists, counselors, personal trainers, and other professionals who incorporate coaching into their practices. Our hope is that these varied perspectives will help you come to understand exactly the type of coach you were meant to be.
Today’s special guest is Thomas Doherty, a Licensed Psychologist based in Portland, Oregon. He is a pioneer in the emerging field of ecopsychology, which is the study of the relationship between environmental issues and mental health and well-being.
Enjoy!
Topics Covered:
- Thomas takes us through his educational background and why he was drawn to nature-based counseling
- How being out in nature affects the body on a physiological as well as a conscious level
- A discussion of the process Thomas uses to help clients move past their life challenges
- How Thomas leverages his expertise in environmental issues in his consulting work as well
- Some of the largest challenges Thomas has faced in his professional career
Notable Quote
“Once you get into this, you start realize that there are a lot of biases that have been built into traditional therapy and coaching that are not very nature-friendly. The idea that it has to be done in an office, with closed doors and noise machines — this hermetically-sealed approach. There’s an urban stereotype around therapy and coaching and some baggage to let go of. […] We have to let go of some of this baggage. We wouldn’t want our personal life or our homes to look like that.”
