Viewing entries tagged
climate crisis

Eco-anxiety, eco-distress: finding joy in life again......

Eco-anxiety, eco-distress: finding joy in life again......

by Bill Sheate

Blog 2/2 A practical approach to treatment

In the first of these two extended blogs (Eco-anxiety: what’s in a name?), I noted the way we define emotional responses to environmental change makes a difference to how we might view ourselves and our approach to treatment.  Perhaps in contrast to some other therapists, I approach eco-distress as a manifestation of anxiety, anger, sadness etc in a particular context, rather than as something that is exceptional, unusual etc. Some might even say treatment is not appropriate given anxiety and anger are quite rational responses to the climate emergency. While that may be true, it is problematic, and therefore worthy of ‘treatment,’ when the emotional responses lead to such distress that life loses its meaning, that there is no joy in life any more, and that everything that once seemed important has faded from perception…… [Read more]

Eco-anxiety: what's in a name?

Eco-anxiety: what's in a name?

by Bill Sheate

Blog 1/2

In this first of two blogs, I’m looking at the words we use to describe emotional responses to environmental and climate change, and why it might matter what we call it. In the follow-up blog I’ll look at my own approach to treating eco-anxiety.

Eco-anxiety or Eco-distress?

There is now ample evidence for the prevalence of eco-anxiety (often among young people in particular), with vigorous debate among academics as to our understanding of the relationship between observed emotional, behavioural and cognitive responses to the impacts of climate and environmental change more generally.  Discussion ensues over terminology, categorisation and taxonomy of the psychology associated with climate change and what seems often to be a significant focus on ‘grief’……. [Read more] 

Mindfulness and Sustainability - Making the Connections

Mindfulness and Sustainability - Making the Connections

by Bill Sheate

This blog post brings together the four papers that were published out of Ute Thiermann’s PhD research on mindfulness and sustainability, under my supervision at Imperial College London, with access to the online papers/journals……[Read more]

Eco-anxiety: an introductory workshop - 16 August 2023 now booking

Eco-anxiety: an introductory workshop - 16 August 2023 now booking

by Bill Sheate

Online 90-minute workshop 16 August 2023, 6.00-7.30pm

This introductory workshop provides an opportunity to share experience and begin to develop a deeper understanding about what eco-anxiety is, and how you can better manage and re-frame your approach to it. It acts as a standalone workshop but also offers the precursor preparation to subsequent individual one-to-one or small group therapy for eco-anxiety if desired.

Programme:

  • Introductions and overview

  • Context and issues

  • Sharing of experience

  • Understanding eco-anxiety and treatment options ……. [Read more]

Eco-anxiety: an introductory workshop - now booking

Eco-anxiety: an introductory workshop - now booking

by Bill Sheate

Online 90-minute workshop 13 December 2022 6.00-7.30pm

This introductory workshop provides an opportunity to share experience and begin to develop a deeper understanding about what eco-anxiety is, and how you can better manage and re-frame your approach to it. It acts as a standalone workshop but also offers the precursor preparation to subsequent small group therapy for eco-anxiety if desired.

Programme:

  • Introductions and overview

  • Context and issues

  • Sharing of experience

  • Understanding eco-anxiety and treatment options ……. [Read more]

New Tuesday Bloomsbury clinic

New Tuesday Bloomsbury clinic

by Bill Sheate

My Bloomsbury clinic moves to Tuesday from 3 May 2022

From 3 May 2022 my Bloomsbury clinic in Museum Street, WC1A will move to Tuesday afternoons and evenings (rather than Friday mornings). Clinic times will be from 2.00-9.00pm every Tuesday.

This provides me with additional appointment slots to see individual clients in-person (and online via Zoom) and also more space to offer group therapy, e.g. for eco-anxiety (small groups of 3-4 people) over a series of 4-5 sessions). More information on this coming shortly…… [Read more]

Identifying and helping with eco-anxiety

Identifying and helping with eco-anxiety

by Bill Sheate, 25 June 2019

Recent blog post for UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

Following on from my previous blog post Eco-anxiety and the state of the planet I’ve recently written a further post on eco-anxiety for the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. Click on the link to read further.

“Little did I expect, when I trained as a cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist, that my background in ecology and environmental policy would cross over so directly into my therapy practice. But the rising tide of ‘eco-anxiety’ means I am seeing an increasing presentation of this form of anxiety in my clinic……”

Eco-anxiety and the state of the planet

Eco-anxiety and the state of the planet

by Bill Sheate

Understanding Eco-anxiety

  • Do you have a feeling of hopelessness about the world’s willingness and ability to tackle climate change and biodiversity extinction?

  • Do you feel helpless yourself in your own actions? What’s the point?

  • Do you fear for future generations?

  • Is this anxiety affecting all aspects of your life, your motivation to do things, to interact with friends and family?

Then you may well be suffering from eco-anxiety ……. Read more