“Shinrin-yoku: Nature’s Calm, Anywhere – A Dive Into Virtual Forest Bathing”

Synopsis:

The session will begin with a brief audio-visual presentation on the theory behind holistic practices, followed by an immersive virtual forest experience facilitated by Caroline. This will include a discussion of client stories from White River Manor (A Luxury Drug & Alcohol Rehab in South Africa), demonstrating the effectiveness of these practices. 

Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, originated in Japan in the 1980s as a response to urban stress, promoting a deep connection with nature. At White River Manor, the presence of ancient trees enhances the healing environment, providing clients with a source of comfort even after their treatment ends. 

Practically, forest bathing has been shown to boost the immune system, improve cardiovascular function, and reduce anxiety and depression. Clients, often presenting with complex issues such as addiction, burnout, trauma, and grief, have found grounding and comfort through these therapies. It is suggested that everyone, including clinicians, could benefit from such experiences.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand the basic psychoanalytic theory behind holistic practices.
• To gain an initial understanding of forest bathing and nature therapy.
• To explore how these practices have impacted clients at White River Manor.
• To experience a virtual session and assess its potential benefits for practitioners and clients.

Speakers:

Michele Morphitis: Psychotherapist who has a private practice in Bond Street, London and Hampton, Surrey and is the Business Development Manager for White River Manor treatment centre and rehab in South Africa, on the edge of the Kruger Park. Michele was the Business Development Manager for the treatment centre Cottonwood Tucson in Arizona for 5 years and runs weekly alumni groups for both treatment centres. She was the Addiction Treatment Programme Manager of the Priory Hospital Roehampton in London and worked there for 7 years. As well as being a qualified psychotherapist who has facilitated well over 16,000 hours of therapy, Michele is a psychotherapy and counselling tutor and holds a Master’s degree in Psychoanalysis from the Tavistock and Portman and an Economics degree from The London School Of Economics.

Caroline Erdmann: Clinical psychologist, a highly experienced and trained equine-assisted psychotherapist, and a practitioner of non-violent communication (NVC), nature therapy and breathwork. Caroline’s journey in the therapy profession began when she gave up a rock-and-roll lifestyle in Germany to study clinical psychology, a subject she fell in love with. Caroline also fell in love with the nature, diversity, and freedom she found in South Africa when she came to collect data for her thesis on racism and sexism.