Author: Nicci Attfield

Ecopsychology as liberation psychology

Ecopsychology as Liberation Psychology

Published by Nicci Attfield

There is no doubt that human society is living in times of profound crisis. Both Black Lives Matter and Climate Change protests have been taking place throughout the world. As a result, the radical ecopsychologist, Andy Fisher argues that we need to not only find a way of re-entering into a relationship with life but also of exploring those ways that capitalism, colonialism, and industry is failing the earth so that we can create helpful change. It is only by exploring how social and ecological injustices have created harm to both human and non-human communities that we can work towards liberation for all beings.  How does a liberation ecopsychology model view our current world? Liberation psychology explores how the past has shaped the present, taking into account how this impacts all of life. Social injustice shapes our current world. Derrida shares the need to be reflexive about our liberal democratic society in his work Spectres of Marx. Explaining that repressed aspects of our history remain with us, shaping the present, he points out that this …

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
Identity, Space and Time: Acknowledging Social Injustices in Psychotherapy

Identity, Space and Time: Acknowledging Social Injustices in Psychotherapy

Published by Nicci Attfield

A contextual approach to psychology acknowledges the struggles people face within the social environment. From this perspective, an individual is not only influenced by internal forces, thoughts, or feelings. Instead, a person responds to his or her social environment. Social norms and beliefs determine how a person can act in any given situation. This means that a person’s roots influence the routes they can take and the opportunities open to them. Social marginalization can result in mental health challenges. Without recognizing social injustice, an individual may be blamed for their own struggles and forced to adjust. Why is it important to acknowledge social context? Some aspects of identity can lead to people feeling disempowered. This can be due to racial identity, disability, gendered identity, national identity, deaf identity, sexualities, class, health and illness. Sometimes, aspects of identity may combine to create layers of struggle. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie shares the complexities of raced identity in Americanah: “The only reason you say that race was not an issue is because you wish it was not. We all …

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
Ecopsychology definition | Theodore Roszak

What is Ecopsychology?

Published by Nicci Attfield

Ecopsychology sees human psychological wellness as connected to ecology. From this perspective, people are both a part of, and in relationship to, the more than human world. Andy Fisher explains that the capitalist world leaves people feeling ashamed of who they are. This is because people constantly have to strive to become more. As a result, people feel unhappy and disconnected from each other and the environment.  When people reconnect to the more than human world, they feel a deep sense of peace. As people come to their senses they feel at home both in their human bodies and in the natural world. They begin to feel a sense of belonging to the world. They are also able to access powerful feelings and emotions. This leads to deep healing. How was Ecopsychology Developed? The conceptualization of ecopsychology began with the work of Robert Greenway, a writer for Abraham Maslow. Greenway came from the academic lineage of pioneering ecologist Walles T. Edmondson. He discussed his idea that “the mind is nature, and nature, the mind,” with his mentors Michael Breen, Deborah Tannen, Joel …

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share