The Influence of Ecotherapy Training on the Professional Identity of New Counselors

This study explores the integration of ecotherapy into professional identities of counselors who completed an ecotherapy course. Ecotherapy, an approach that emphasizes the connection between humans and the natural world, has been shown to have positive effects on mental health. Despite growing evidence, little research has been conducted on its long-term impact on counselors’ professional development. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring how ecotherapy concepts are assimilated into practice and identity and how educational experiences in ecotherapy shape professional growth. Through Consensual Qualitative Research methods, findings reveal the influence of ecotherapy on counseling approaches and personal connections with nature. Findings highlighted the impact of ecotherapy as a worldview on professional identity and implications for self-care. Key Words: Ecotherapy—Counselor identity development—Experiential counselor education—Self-care—Clinical application—Counseling theory