Therapists' experience of climate change

2022
Therapeutic perspectives
Climate and ecological emotions

This qualitative study explores how therapists in Australia experience climate change personally and professionally, and how they navigate the dialectic between the two. Findings suggest that although the mental health impacts of global warming are increasingly documented, these issues remain inadequately addressed within psychotherapeutic training and practice, revealing a gap between the growing evidence base on climate-related psychological distress and the profession's readiness to respond. The study calls for further research into how individual therapists can integrate their own climate responses with clinical work, and for professional bodies to provide leadership, training and support.

Unfurling fern frond

This qualitative study explores how therapists in Australia experience climate change personally and professionally, and how they navigate the dialectic between the two. Findings suggest that although the mental health impacts of global warming are increasingly documented, these issues remain inadequately addressed within psychotherapeutic training and practice, revealing a gap between the growing evidence base on climate-related psychological distress and the profession's readiness to respond. The study calls for further research into how individual therapists can integrate their own climate responses with clinical work, and for professional bodies to provide leadership, training and support.

Related resources

Therapeutic perspectives Reading List

The sources on this list relate to therapeutic perspectives. They are not freely accessible online - most require a library subscription, institutional access, or purchase.

Climate and ecological emotions Reading List

The sources on this list relate to climate and ecological emotions. They are not freely accessible online - most require a library subscription, institutional access, or purchase.

One Resilient Earth

Grows the climate resilience of young people, sustainability professionals and educators through transformative learning journeys, climate emotions circles, and training on climate anxiety and trauma, including a dedicated CLARITY programme for teachers and educators.

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