The Nat-Gathering Map Training
At a time of climate change and ecological crisis developing “Imagin-action”, i.e. a deeper relationship with Nature, is a necessary step to promote active hope and a commitment to actively care and protect the future of new generations and our planet.
This EcoSystemic training day is inviting participants to experiment with the Nat-Gathering map and promote a deeper connection with themselves, nature and others. It’s based on an ecological and systemic way of thinking about our relationship with Nature and with each other considering that not only we are part of Nature, but we have an innate and biological attraction to Nature (the Biophilia hypotheses).
The experiential training day will offer the opportunity to learn about the Nat-Gathering Map. In the first part, participants will be guided to use the Map and engage individually with Nature by being creative, curious, and playful in the local green spaces. In the second part, there will be the opportunity for participants to practice the Nat-Gathering Map with each other in a safe way.
The 6 step EcoSytemic Map is easy to learn and can be used by anyone who loves Nature as well as professionals as a self-care tool or as a way of working in Nature with individuals, families and groups. At the end of the day, we will share reflections and consider how the Nat-Gathering Map can be used and adapted to your needs, your experiences of relating to Nature and your practice in your specific work setting and client group.
About the presenter Chiara Fortina Santin
I am a nature lover who has developed a bond with Nature since an early age. Nature has been my sanctuary, my comfort and companion, my safe place, my spiritual guide, my own therapist throughout my life. I left my beloved Italian Alps in 1998 years ago and landed in Sussex, where I have come to appreciate beautiful coastlines, chalk lands, white cliffs and the green Downs.
We are not only part of Nature but we are Nature so Nature not only looks after us providing emotional and mental wellbeing, but we also need to look after and protect the environment in return at this time of ecological crisis and climate change affecting us all.
I am an academic, a tutor, a writer, an ecotherapist and an experienced community-based systemic and family psychotherapist. I am the Director of Rainbow Community
Projects, a non-profit organisation that aims at making therapy accessible to all, particularly ecotherapy as a more friendly way of providing mental health support to individuals, couples families and groups at times of stress, distress and difficulties.
I have been providing support to children and their families for more than 20 years as well as my youth work in Italy for 10 years. I have been developing ecotherapy in the past 7 years offering ecotherapy projects in the community to support adults’ mental health and wellbeing. I have developed new ways of working in Nature which I wish to share with others. I have published some articles and a podcast on ecotherapy. The Nat-Gathering Map is described in detail in my latest book Rewilding Therapy. Ecosystemic Theory and Practice (2024).
