Eco-Informed Therapy and Psychedelics

As our planet faces unprecedented ecological crises, the connection between mental health and the natural world has never been more apparent. Eco-informed therapy is an approach that integrates environmental consciousness into healing practices. It’s gaining traction — especially in the realm of psychedelic-assisted therapy. 

By reconnecting individuals with nature, eco-informed therapy offers a unique framework for addressing trauma, depression, and existential distress. But how do psychedelics fit into this equation? We’ll dive into their insights, examining how psychedelics might not only heal the individual but also inspire a collective shift toward planetary well-being.

Expert Perspectives on Psychedelic Therapy and Nature

We spoke with Dr Sabrina Hadeed, PhD, LP, and Pablo Orozco-Castro, LCSW, about how plant medicines and psychedelic therapy can deepen our connection to the environment, ways to incorporate nature into psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions, and advice for therapists interested in incorporating eco-informed principles into their psychedelic work.

Dr Sabrina Hadeed is an existential feminist therapist and supervisor deeply committed to understanding her clients ’ lived experiences. These experiences  include the nuances of power dynamics, gender roles, and anti-oppressive practices. As a feminist therapist, she integrates principles of social justice, intersectionality, and empowerment into her work, ensuring that she honors each individual’s unique identity and context throughout the healing process. 

In addition, Dr Hadeed is a trained psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist working with ketamine. She is also a licensed psilocybin facilitator, an Oregon State University professor, a retreat facilitator, and a matriarchal mama. Her work weaves eco-centric wisdom with modern therapeutic practices — a journey of reawakening our profound, inherent bond with nature and a call to live more authentically and eco-centrically. 

“By moving stuck energy within the body and inviting creative expression that mirrors nature’s own dynamic flow, we honor the understanding that nature is not merely a backdrop for our lives — it is a vital, living teacher.”

— Sabrina Hadeed, PhD, LP

Pablo Orozco-Castro is a XicanX Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Music Producer. His mission is to support others in activating their innate creativity and decolonizing mental health practices. He received his BA from UC Santa Cruz and his MSW from the Columbia School of Social Work. He has been practicing social work for nearly a decade and psychotherapy for five years.

Pablo has experience working in the public and non-profit sectors in developing programming and serving marginalized populations. He has experience with various Western therapeutic modalities, including EMDR, CBT/TF-CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Restorative Justice, and Non-Violent Communication. Pablo also incorporates musical expression with clinical practice, eco-therapy, and traditional Mexica traditions to regain connection with spirit.

What is Eco-Informed Therapy?

Eco-informed therapy is a therapeutic approach that integrates environmental consciousness into mental health treatment, drawing from ecotherapy, ecopsychology, and trauma-informed care. While spending time in nature can offer mental health benefits, eco-informed therapy goes beyond casual outdoor experiences. Like ecotherapy, it involves a trained professional guiding individuals through intentional nature-based practices designed to foster psychological and physiological well-being.

How Psychedelics Enhance Our Connection to Nature

At its core, eco-informed therapy recognizes the deep interconnection between human well-being and the natural world. It acknowledges that ecological crises — such as climate change, habitat destruction, and environmental degradation — impact mental health in ways that extend beyond the individual, contributing to collective anxiety, grief, and trauma. By integrating nature into the healing process, therapists help clients explore their relationship with the environment, addressing both personal distress and a broader sense of ecological responsibility.

“I believe that plant medicines help to activate memories innate in our spirits and bodies to establish this connection with the Earth.”

— Pablo Orozco-Castro, LCSW

Dr Hadeed explained that modern scientific research, combined with the ancient wisdom of Indigenous traditions and practices, has illuminated the profound ways in which psychedelics can deepen our connection to nature. Having a background in eco-psychology, wilderness, and outdoor therapy, she naturally gravitated toward the connection to nature amplified by mushrooms.

Psilocybin and the Natural World

Dr Hadeed shared that it is widely known and researched that psilocybin can heighten our awareness of the natural world and nurture a profound sense of biophilia — our innate love for life and living systems.

Pablo has been predominantly working with psilocybin since 2015. He explained that plant medicines have the potential to support the facilitation of an innate connection that we have to the Earth in our DNA. Pablo shared the following:

“I believe that plant medicines help to activate memories innate in our spirits and bodies to establish this connection with the Earth. For me, this connection comes in the form of song and prayer, and I am sure that for some other folks, it may be different. If we are able to listen with an open ear and mind, sometimes we are able to communicate with the Earth in unique ways.”

How to Incorporate Nature into Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Eco-informed therapy often incorporates mindfulness in natural settings, wilderness therapy, and somatic practices that deepen awareness of the body’s connection to the earth. In psychedelic therapy, eco-informed perspectives suggest that substances like psilocybin and ayahuasca can intensify experiences of interconnectedness, helping individuals heal not only their personal wounds but also cultivate a renewed sense of stewardship for the planet. 

By bridging individual healing with ecological awareness, eco-informed therapy offers a powerful framework that allows for both personal transformation and collective well-being. Here are some ways to incorporate nature into psychedelic-assisted therapy:

Self-Reflection in the Changing Seasons

Dr Hadeed will often invite her clients to see themselves reflected in the changing seasons, which serve as living metaphors for our inner journeys. 

“In the stillness of winter, I sense a sacred pause — a time when the earth retreats to gather strength for what is to come. And then there is fall: I am moved by the effortless dance of leaves letting go, surrendering parts of themselves so that renewal might follow. In those moments, I am reminded that letting go is not a loss but a natural part of our evolution; we, too, are nature — constantly shedding and renewing ourselves.”

ACER (Awareness, Connection, Expression, and Reflection) Integration Model

Dr Hadeed shared that she draws from the insights of Dr Rosalind Watts’ ACER integration model: Awareness, Connection, Expression, and Reflection. This eco-centric approach honors the rigorous findings of modern research while resonating deeply with Indigenous wisdom, both affirming that a genuine connection to nature is essential for holistic healing.

“I guide my clients to bridge their inner landscapes with the living world outside. Whether through evocative guided imagery or by stepping into the great outdoors for our sessions, I believe that the environment must be an active, healing participant in the process.”

Eco-Somatic Practices

Dr Hadeed believes that eco-somatic practices should be in every therapist’s toolbox. Just as nature holds energy, emotion, and spirit within its cycles, so too does our body. Even a basic breathwork practice can empower clients to move emotions and energy, regulate their nervous systems, and self-soothe. 

“By moving stuck energy within the body and inviting creative expression that mirrors nature’s own dynamic flow, we honor the understanding that nature is not merely a backdrop for our lives — it is a vital, living teacher.”

The Teachings of Dr Hadeed’s Grandmother, Jyoti Ma

Dr Hadeed shares that she carries the teachings of her Grandmother, Jyoti Ma. A revered elder, Jyoti’s life’s work in Indigenous healing has been transformative. As one of the founding members of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers, Jyoti has long championed the sacred relationship between humanity and the earth. 

“Now, through [Jyoti’s] leadership of The Foundation — a community dedicated to preserving Indigenous healing practices, promoting sustainable living, and fostering a deep, respectful connection with nature — she continues to inspire us to view nature not as a resource to be exploited but as a cherished partner in our journey toward sustainable, symbiotic living.”

Pablo’s Collaboration with His Community

Pablo shared that for the past five years, he has been collaborating within his own Xicanx community to reclaim their presence in nature spaces. 

“In [nature] spaces, we have been able to process how generational trauma has impacted us. We have learned together how teonanacatl has been used by our ancestors for thousands of years. Sometimes we pray/meditate, process personal experiences, and sing together.”

Dr Hadeed’s Criticism of Regulatory Frameworks for Psychedelic Experiences

Dr Hadeed added that she is deeply critical of regulatory frameworks that confine psychedelic experiences to clinical, indoor spaces devoid of the natural world’s vibrancy. 

She shared that, with exceptions like FernLove near Portland, most service centers are housed in offices or converted homes. Such settings starkly contrast with nature’s organic, healing presence. Ketamine does not have the same restrictions as psilocybin, so Dr Hadeed works with ketamine in group and retreat settings exclusively at the Green Rock Retreat Center near Bend, Oregon. 

“At a nature-immersive retreat center like Green Rock, clients stay in upscale canvas tents beneath open skies, communal yurts warmed by wood-burning stoves, and the gentle hum of the wild — healing becomes a shared, immersive experience.”

Advice to Providers on Using Eco-Informed Principles in Psychedelic Work

We asked Dr Hadeed and Pablo what advice they would give therapists interested in incorporating eco-informed principles into their psychedelic work.

Cultivate Your Own Relationship with Nature

Dr Hadeed encourages therapists and clinicians to cultivate their own intimate relationship with nature. 

“Allow [nature’s] rhythms to infuse your life and work — whether by stepping outside for mindful walks or by inviting nature into your office with live plants, evocative imagery, and natural soundscapes.” 

Don’t Confine Your Healing Space

Dr Hadeed advises providers to embrace an eco-centric approach not as a mere technique but as a way of being. In doing so, you create a therapeutic space where one does not confine healing to four walls. Instead, the space you create helps individuals return to harmony with the world around them. 

“Don’t be afraid to take sessions outside. With informed consent regarding limits to confidentiality, clients often love getting outside for walking sessions or meeting in park settings.”

Give Credit Where Credit is Due

Pablo stresses the importance of not stealing the work of others and claiming it as your own.

“Give credit where credit is due. [Eco-informed therapy] is NOT a field to enter and to profit from; DO YOUR OWN INNER WORK FIRST. Learn about the native lands that you occupy and get involved with the native stewards of the land you occupy, support them, and help them organize. Organize, collaborate, and build coalitions to help make meaningful change happen.” 

Pablo emphasizes learning about how your ancestors worked with plant medicines before getting involved in this area or field. Reaching out to like-minded folks on social media can be a great way to build coalitions. Ask questions and support the work of others.

Therefore, eco-informed therapy and psychedelic-assisted healing offer a powerful lens through which we can reconnect with both ourselves and the natural world. Whether you’re a therapist looking to incorporate eco-informed principles into your practice or an individual seeking a deeper connection to nature through healing modalities, there are many ways to explore this emerging field. By deepening our relationship with nature, we open the door to healing not just ourselves—but the world around us.

References

Weir, K. (2020, April 1). Bringing Nature into Treatment. Monitor on Psychology, 51(3), 56. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nature-sidebar

Welch, A. (2024, September 25). What Is Ecotherapy? Nature Therapy for Beginners. EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/integrative-health/ecotherapy/guide/