ESA 500 The Human Self as Nature and in Relationship with the Other-than-Human World

Content: This course examines the relational foundations of ecotherapy from a systems perspective that encompasses our relationships with the other-than-human world and reclaiming our birthright to feel more at home on the earth. The concepts of sympoiesis and sympoiethics, sense of place, nature language, and human rewilding will be explored to reclaim our bodies as home, and the importance of integrating sense and sentience into our therapy practices. It combines an in-depth study of the role of the body and creative expression as agents of change and of the development of an artistic sensibility for the therapeutic process. Limited to CTSP students finishing their first year in the program.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 2 semester hours.

ESA 501 Expressive Arts and Nature

Content: This course explores the neurobiological foundations of "coming back to our senses" through expressive art therapy, aiming to restore body and mind. Through this somatically-based approach, both the body's sensory experience and the mind's cognitive/language capabilities, we can help clients access embodied awareness and effectively address experiences that leave individuals stuck in isolation and shame. Informed by IFS and polyvagal theory, this course will work with the self through drawing, painting, sculpting in clay, and engaging in group work through play and rhythmic drumming. It will explore aesthetics, sensory engagement in nature, and group activities through play. It will integrate simple rhythmic, movement-oriented, image-making, and other techniques that will support clients to begin to feel once again safe, calm, and enlivened. Limited to students in the CTSP Department only; can be taken in their second year of their program.
Prerequisites: ESA 500.
Credits: 1 semester hour.

ESA 502 Ecosomatics

Content: This course explores the relational continuum between the human and the other-than-human world through an animist perspective rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems from various traditions. Specifically, it offers a comprehensive understanding of phenomenological approaches to embodied experience, ecosomatic principles through culturally responsive and decolonizing lenses, ethical considerations in ecosomatic therapy, and sophisticated skills for somatic self-awareness and regulation. Limited to students in the CTSP department only.
Prerequisites: ESA 500.
Credits: 1 semester hour.

ESA 503 Nature, Trauma, and Resilience in Sociocultural Context

Content: This course explores how to use trauma-informed nature therapy, polyvagal theory, and The Work that Reconnects to address the interpersonal, communal, and ecological impact of trauma. Students will examine their relationship to nature, trauma, and resilience, and how to work with the multisensory multisystem involvement of the body to heal and learn to be safe in and with nature. Engaging with nature allows clients to experience a wide range of whole-brain whole-body experiences, which can promote a unique set of coping skills, including empowerment, strength, and confidence. Other dimensions of trauma, resilience, and their relationship with nature are explored within a decolonizing ecotherapy perspective, addressing issues of access, opportunity, privilege, and oppression.
Prerequisites: ESA 500.
Credits: 1 semester hour.

ESA 504 Ecotherapy and Ancestral Wisdom

Content: Drawing from the assumption that the past is alive within us, and thus, much of the pain and chaos in our individual and collective lives began before our birth, this course examines how we can transform inherited burdens and heal complex intergenerational legacies in lasting ways. Students will learn to safely partner with their healed and wise ancestors to resolve intergenerational issues involving interpersonal issues and larger systemic issues such as Earth disconnection, sexism, colonialism, racism, and other forms of oppression. Topics covered include what our ancestors do differently, that we can get back in everyday life, the special roles queer folks have played as shamans, priests, and spiritual guides in Indigenous societies, how to integrate and honor ancestral cultural wisdom and address cultural appropriation, relationships with space and sense of place, and human rewilding.
Prerequisites: ESA 500.
Credits: 1 semester hour.

ESA 505 Rituals and the Other Than Human World

Content: Incorporating creative rituals into a therapeutic journey enables us to address specific issues in more expansive ways, generating a new narrative that integrates human and non-human relationships and provides inspiration for a new vision of the future. In this course, students will learn how to create rituals to mark transitions in the life cycle, turning them into transformations, celebrate life and relationships, honor losses, and be respectful of social location issues. Key topics include why meaningful rituals and ceremonies are needed in our lives, creating sacred spaces, milestones, and rites of passage, rituals as trauma interventions, healing, release, and celebration, and infusing traditional rituals with new meanings, and elements of preparation for an individual or group ritual, with particular attention to safety for queer and BIPOC participants in group settings.
Prerequisites: ESA 500.
Credits: 1 semester hour.

ESA 598 Topics in Eco-Soma-Arts

Content: This course provides an opportunity for students to do an in-depth exploration of specialized topics or practices related to ecotherapy, somatic interventions, and expressive arts in therapy. Course focus and format vary given year and instructor. Topics have included the human-animal bond, the plant-human bond, and creative interventions.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 1 semester hour.