Let’s be good for goodness sake! How psychotherapists and psychologists can empower people and save the planet

This paper explores the urgent need for a new therapeutic approach – ‘Fourth-Generation Language’ (4GL) – in psychotherapy and coaching psychology to address the escalating climate crisis. By integrating narrative practices and drawing on transpersonal perspectives, 4GL facilitates collaborative conversations that empower clients to explore their experiences, values, and potential responses to climate change. This approach fosters resilience, promotes a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between personal wellbeing and planetary health, and encourages active participation in creating a sustainable and fair future. Grounded in ethical principles and aligned with frameworks like the Universal Integrative Framework and Doughnut Economics, 4GL emphasises the role of mental health professionals in helping a collective shift in consciousness and action to address the psychological and emotional challenges of the climate crisis.