What is Ecotherapy?
Reconnecting with Nature. Reconnecting with Yourself.
At Waves Wellness, we believe that healing doesn’t have to happen within four walls. Some of the most meaningful transformation can occur under an open sky, surrounded by trees, rivers, and the natural rhythms of the Earth. Ecotherapy—also known as nature-based or green therapy—is an evidence-informed approach that blends traditional psychotherapy with the restorative power of the outdoors.
This holistic method recognizes the deep and essential connection between human well-being and the natural world. By intentionally using nature as a therapeutic partner, Ecotherapy supports mental, emotional, and physical healing. Rooted in both modern psychological theory and ancient wisdom, it creates space for healing to unfold naturally—through movement, mindfulness, and connection with the land.
Ecotherapy is based on the understanding that we are not separate from nature, but part of it. Many of today’s common struggles—stress, anxiety, disconnection, burnout—are symptoms of a deeper disconnection from the Earth, our bodies, and each other. This work gently guides us back into relationship with all of it—with care, intention, and presence.
What does Ecotherapy look like?
Your Ecotherapy journey begins with an initial session in the office, where we’ll get to know each other, explore your goals, and map out what your healing path might look like. After that, our sessions move outdoors—into some of Chattanooga’s most beautiful and grounding natural spaces. These sessions are carefully tailored to meet your needs and may include:
Walk-and-talk therapy on forest trails
Mindfulness practices using natural surroundings
Breathwork, grounding, and body awareness exercises
Reflection and dialogue supported by nature’s metaphors
Eco-informed techniques for processing trauma, grief, and life transitions
Each session begins and ends with a mindfulness practice to help you arrive in the moment, tune into your senses, and honor the land we’re sharing.
Who is Ecotherapy for?
Ecotherapy is ideal for individuals, couples, families, and groups who:
Feel disconnected from themselves or others
Are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, or stress
Struggle with trauma or are navigating life transitions
Want a more active or embodied approach to healing
Feel called to deepen their relationship with nature
Haven’t felt comfortable or fully supported in traditional therapy settings
This work is gentle, powerful, and flexible—always grounded in your pace, your goals, and your lived experience.
