In this episode, Katie Asmus discusses the use of ceremonies in counseling and nature-based rituals. We live in a fast-paced environment. Very few people are immune to the distracting side of technology that can dismember our connection to the natural world. But nature is forgiving in many ways and waiting for us to reconnect with her whenever we choose.

There’s something beautiful about the natural world. It doesn’t seem to hold grudges like people even if we do things like hurt the environment. Sure nature seeks balance and will course correct itself, but it still seems to offer us an invitation into connection on every hike we take, whenever we smell a bouquet of flowers on our table, and hear birds chirping out of the window.

Our connection with nature is paramount to feeling connected to something beyond the self. Without this connection we can feel isolated, withdrawn and even empty. This brings into question a very important topic that we are going to discuss today. What role does nature have in psychotherapy?

Our guest today, Katie Asmus is a master teacher and psychotherapist specializing in the modalities of wilderness and somatic therapies with a focus on ceremony and ritual, finding one’s purpose in life, and somatic soul-based trauma work. She has been incorporating wilderness, adventure, and relationship with the natural world into her professional and personal work for over 25 years.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The difference between Nature-Based and Wilderness Therapy
  
• The pros and cons of wilderness interventions for teens
  
• Examples of Nature-Based work with clients
  
• Research focus in the field of Wilderness Therapy
  
• When is it best to not bring a client outdoors

Visit www.higherpractice.com/podcast to get the show notes for this episode and to learn more about Katie’s full course in the Higher Practice Institute.