2026/27 Programme

Course Delivery

This ecotherapy course is delivered primarily through experiential work out of doors, reflective process, and theoretical integration. The five core online units explore different dimensions of the model, using a series of online learning exercises which are delivered in a private blog-style forum. Students are encouraged to respond in their own unique way, for example by posting a short paragraph describing their experiences, a voice clip, sharing photograph collages, videos, poetry, art—whatever feels right for the student. Some tasks require students to respond in particular ways, but we generally like to keep it flexible.

This is an experiential and creative nature therapy course, rather than an academic course. There is some reading required for the course, although this is minimal and designed to support your experiential work. We use the Mighty Networks platform for our students which most people find to be slick and enjoyable to use. It can be downloaded as an app and used whilst students are out completing their exercises.

The exercises are shared daily in written format, with accompanying AI voice files for those who take in information better through listening. They are practical and mostly involve going outdoors to reflect and connect within the locality where the student lives. The programme is not academically demanding but requires personal reflection and the development of creative awareness and competency. 

The Ten Directions programme has always been international in its outlook and welcomes students from around the world. We have trained students from across Europe, Oceania, North America and Asia, as well as the UK (where we are based). Because much of our teaching is online (and can be done entirely remotely), students from overseas can participate fully and complete the certificate without needing to travel. Having said this, it is important to note that we are a UK-based course; the live workshops are run during UK-friendly times. For students able to reach Scotland, there are options to attend in-person camping retreats as part of your learning. These happen in Abbey Wood, our woodland retreat in Earlston, Scottish Borders.

Why ecotherapy?

Mental health is a function of our ability to connect. Working in the environment, whether locally in urban or suburban settings, or by taking clients further afield, brings positive benefits, exposing people to new and challenging situations, and opening them up to experiences which support change at all levels of psychological functioning. Ecotherapy invites us to discover our place in the ecosystem and develop a healthier relationship with the environment. Our ecotherapy training programme prepares you to be a facilitator of nature-based change. We use both terms ‘ecotherapy’ and ‘nature therapy’ on this page. These terms both refer to the same thing; working with nature to improve the wellbeing of humans and the wider ecosystem.

The Ten Directions Model

Created by psychotherapist and author Caroline Brazier, the ten directions taught on the programme fall into five pairs or dimensions. These dimensions form the basis of the five core learning units which make up our five-month-long learning programme. They broadly reflect the therapeutic container, core principles of the model, the personal relationship to the environment, the collective relationship, and our physical engagement with the world. Within these we employ therapeutic and creative methods, practical learning, and discuss issues of professional boundaries, safety and organisation. Although the course theory draws strongly on Buddhist Psychology, our students come from a wide range of diverse spiritual, agnostic and atheist backgrounds (as do our tutors). We also host workshops inspired by other spiritual practices, such as Earth-based spirituality.

Who is this course for?

The Ten Directions Programme, which started in 2011, offers a thorough introduction to working with nature. The programme is suitable for qualified counsellors to go on to take their practice outdoors but it is also suitable for people working with community groups or in outdoor contexts who want to develop their skills in a more therapeutic direction. The course presents a theoretical model grounded in ten modalities of working, and aligned with the Other-Centred model taught on past Tariki training programmes (which grew out of Buddhist psychology).

Some people take this course simply for their own interest or to support their wellbeing. We welcome applications from people who are simply interested in exploring the beautiful field of ecotherapy for themselves, who may not have a professional career in mind. However, we are clear that this is a professional training course, and not group therapy.

Do I need experience?

Whilst students should generally have relevant experience, their backgrounds vary, and in practice students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and include qualified counsellors and psychotherapists, people working in education or outdoors activities, workshop leaders, artists and forest school leaders. This creates a rich melting pot of ideas and our nature therapy course is as much a learning community as a fixed programme. Ecotherapy is a very broad field—as such, so is our course material. Pick and mix the classes that suit you.

The beauty of ecotherapy is in its flexibility. People from all kinds of backgrounds join our courses and go on to run diverse and wonderful ecotherapy groups based on their learning and their experience in other areas of their life.

It is important to note that ecotherapy is not a branch of psychotherapy (although many people do blend ecotherapy with their psychotherapy training). If you wish to practice psychotherapy and counselling outdoors, you will need to have already taken training in one of these fields or to take
one alongside Ten Directions. Ecotherapy is a different field and broad in its applications. The course will help you to find a way of working that suits your interests and experience level. In particular, Year Two allows you to develop supervised practice under the guidance of course staff whilst expanding your range of skills.

Is the course accredited by any particular body?

The issue of accreditation is complex as there are still many different views on what ecotherapy actually is. After much debate, Tariki Trust had decided, at this time, to offer fully independent courses which proudly incorporate innovative, creative and spiritual approaches into our work. At this stage, we are not convinced that any relevant body exists to offer meaningful accreditation for ecotherapy programmes, especially as ecotherapy is such a broad and eclectic field; so the answer to this question is ‘no’.

What can I do with this qualification?

The Certificate offers you 100 exercises that you will try for yourself, and which you can then take to working with others. Our workshops offer practical tips and skills for leading groups outdoors and for working one-to-one with clients. Many people leave the course ready to start working outdoors with others, but for those who would appreciate further guidance in setting up a solid project of their own, there is a second year Diploma.