Who are we and what are we all about?

We love nature and believe deeply in the healing potential that comes from rekindling our relationship with the natural world. Our vision is to provide therapeutic services that benefit people and planet equally. We know it is good for us to get outside and take in fresh air, but it is even better for us to know and feel that we are deeply interconnected with the natural world. That's why we decided on 'Better Nature' - because rekindling that sense of connection really does bring out the best in us, but we can't truly thrive unless nature is thriving too. It is this interdependence between humans and nature that we strive to highlight through our work and bring alive for our clients.

"In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth... In that kind of relationship you have enough love, strength and awakening in order to change your life." - Thich Nhat Hanh

Our mission

To provide and deliver nature-based, therapeutic and wellbeing services that support people to improve their mental, emotional and physical health and wellbeing

To actively address the impact of climate change on people, communities and the natural world

To provide opportunities for experiential learning of the interconnectivity and symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world

To make nature-based Mindfulness, counselling and ecotherapy accessible and affordable to all

To create opportunities for people to have a reciprocal and positive impact on environmental sustainability, recovery and biodiversity by aligning and partnering with land based groups, organisations and stakeholders

Barbara Gonzalez Dip HIC, Dip CCYP, MBACP

I am a qualified and experienced Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and I passionately believe that we can all thrive given the right conditions, as indivduals, as a species and as nature. I work from a Humanistic and Integrative therapeutic model, incorporating a psychodynamic foundation with a person centred ethos. My work is pluralistic, meaning that I adapt how I work to the individual or group, applying approaches such as CBT, DBT, Trauma Informed somatic approaches, transpersonal, creative arts and play therapy models and of course, Ecopsychology and Nature-based Practice.

I am on the Steering Group and act as Coordinator for the Nature and Health Practice Network here in the Southwest and currently facilitate the NHP Special Interest Group for Nature Based Mental Health Practitioners across West of England.

I have been facilitating and developing therapeutic nature connection courses and groups since 2019 and I also see clients in private practice in natural settings, using an applied eco-psychology model. I am a registered member of the BACP and adhere to that code of ethics.

Tom Veck IMCPP QTS BA hons

I am a qualified and experienced mindfulness teacher and have received my IMCPP certification (Integration of Mindfulness in Continued Professional Practice) from Mindfulness UK.

I have been running beginner, intermediate and nature based mindfulness courses in the Southwest for the past 5 years. In the last 2 years, I have been working with Somerset Skills & Learning where I have facilitated more than 15 mindfulness courses. I also work 1-1 with clients in private practice, home settings and nature settings providing bespoke mindfulness teaching and digital resources.

I co-created and facilitated the ‘Therapeutic Nature Connection Course’ with Barbara in September 2023 and am a founding member of Better Nature Ecotherapy CIC. I have been meditating for over 20 years and bring my experience as a trained school teacher and workshop facilitator to my practice.

I have created a large bank of resources on my website including 18 guided meditations of varying lengths and a ‘course companion’ which gives students weekly recaps, resources and videos to help them on their journey. I am an insured mindfulness teacher and am DBS checked.

OUR SUPPORTERS

Better Nature Ecotherapy CIC is deeply grateful to the following supporters, benefactors and collaborators. Community is at the heart of what we do, so if you are interested in supporting our work or collaborating, do reach out to us.

We'd love to connect.