Kerryn Coombs-Valeontis

About

Kerryn is an Ecotherapist and Eco-art therapist who works with Nature as a co-therapist. Working deeply and intentionally, Kerryn blends the emerging areas of Eco-art therapy and eco-poetry therapy. She loves the joy, surprise and adventure that Nature brings. Her approach to Ecotherapy stimulates the eco-imagination and sense of eco-self, which organically activates a sense of care for nature and self in her participants. Kerryn is particularly interested in working in the area of eco-anxiety,... Kerryn is an Ecotherapist and Eco-art therapist who works with Nature as a co-therapist. Working deeply and intentionally, Kerryn blends the emerging areas of Eco-art therapy and eco-poetry therapy. She loves the joy, surprise and adventure that Nature brings. Her approach to Ecotherapy stimulates the eco-imagination and sense of eco-self, which organically activates a sense of care for nature and self in her participants. Kerryn is particularly interested in working in the area of eco-anxiety, which is currently emerging rapidly with high levels of worry about climate change and is impacting mental health significantly. Kerryn says: “Ecotherapy creates a therapeutic space with and in nature, that promotes and encourages wellbeing and flourishing. Nature/ plant life cycles and ecosystems coincide and interweave with human life cycles. The split between humans and nature begins to heal. We are nature. Indigenous cultures have never forgotten”. Growing up in Aotearoa/NZ, Kerryn started her career as a high school teacher. With a passion for environmental education, she completed post-graduate studies with a Masters in Social Ecology. Kerryn has worked in mental health for over five years and community-based programs for dementia, aged care, mental health, and young people at risk. Kerryn has taught in adult education for over 15 years, including the Diploma of Youth Work, Case Work Community Services and the Bachelor of Human Services. She is currently a sessional lecturer and content developer for the Bachelor/Masters of Health and Wellbeing at the Buddhist Nan Tien Institute in Wollongong. She also served on the management committee of Cultivate (NSW Horticultural Therapy Society. Kerryn is the co-author of “Nature Heals: An Introduction to Nature-Based Therapies in Australia and Aotearoa/NZ” which was published in 2019 and a collection of poetry (in parentheses). Kerryn is the founder and facilitator of Eartheart Ecotherapy online study. Being in Nature is a wonderful way to encourage mindfulness and Kerryn’s participants report feelings of belonging and a sense of place, peace and wellbeing. Read more

Languages

English

Therapies

Education and training

Diploma of Transpersonal Art Therapy - Phoenix Institute of Australia (2013) Master of Applies Science (Social Ecology) - University of Western Sydney (2002) Bachelor of Education - Avondale College (1993)