Nature-based Training for Psychiatrists and GPs
This two-day training, developed in collaboration with the EcoCAMHS group within the Royal College of Psychiatrists, offers a clinically grounded introduction to nature-based and ecotherapeutic practice.
It is designed for GPs and Psychiatrists who want to better understand how nature can support mental health – through prevention, early intervention, and alongside existing clinical and therapeutic care.
This course does not assume that you will take your practice outdoors. Instead, it supports you to understand when, why and how nature-based approaches may be relevant — and how to work with appropriate pathways, including Green Social Prescribing and community-based interventions.
You may be new to this field, interested in exploring your own nature connection, and/or looking to influence service provision. You may also want to develop your understanding of how and when to refer to nature-based interventions within your clinical role, including Green Social Prescribing and community-based interventions.
Why take this course?
Mental health demand is rising rapidly, while many clinicians feel limited in the options available beyond medication and talking therapies. Many people present in primary care and psychiatric settings with anxiety, depression, burnout, loneliness, or complex distress that is not fully resolved through diagnosis or medication alone.
Nature-based practice is increasingly recognised as a credible and evidence-informed way to support mental health.
This experiential training brings together best practice from Green Social Prescribing alongside theory from ecotherapy, nature connection, embodiment, resilience, mental health and neuroscience – supporting work with individuals and groups across the lifespan.
You’ll learn through experience, reflective practice and direct engagement, and gain confidence in understanding how nature-based approaches can be safely integrated within clinical pathways.
You will be introduced to a therapeutic nature-based model that supports whole-person health – mind, body, social and environmental relationships.
A clinically relevant continuum
Nature-based practice is not a single intervention.
It sits across a continuum – from prevention and early intervention (often within primary care and social prescribing), through to group-based therapeutic work and more structured ecotherapeutic approaches within secondary care.
Understanding this continuum helps clarify:
- Appropriate patient groups
- Referral pathways and thresholds
- Levels of clinical oversight
- Safeguarding and risk considerations
What you will gain
- A clear understanding of the clinical relevance of nature-based and ecotherapeutic practice
- Insight into mechanisms of change, including regulation, embodiment and relational process
- Understanding of how these approaches can complement GP and psychiatric care
- Confidence in identifying suitable patients and referral pathways
- Experience of nature-based practice to inform clinical judgement and recommendation
Training Content
- Nature connection, ecotherapy and mental health
- Neuroscience and nervous system regulation in natural environments
- Experiential and embodied approaches to therapeutic practice
- Sensory awareness, immersion and co-regulation
- Story, metaphor and reflection in ecotherapeutic work
- Green Social Prescribing pathways and clinical application
- Health, safety and risk–benefit in outdoor settings
- Practical outdoor skills, including fire, food and hand tools
- Restoring your own nature connection and professional wellbeing
Testimonials
“This course was truly a breath of fresh air – an excellent opportunity to engage with nature and think together about connection, narrative, and the interface between mental health and the natural world.”
Next available dates for
Nature-based Training for Psychiatrists and GPs
This course takes place at our woodland site at Mill Woods, near Laughton, East Sussex, BN8 6BP.
June 2026 Course:
Dates: 18th and 19th June 2026
Time: 9.30am – 5.00pm
Cost: £360 per person
Four or more places: £320 per person
Price includes refreshments and a light lunch.
All participants receive a Certificate of Attendance.
This course is about widening the field in which care can take place – supporting regulation, reflection and connection in ways that many people intuitively respond to.
In a time of increasing disconnection, the natural world offers another therapeutic context – one that can support both personal healing and a renewed sense of belonging within a wider living system.
Your Nature-based training team
Course Director & Lead Facilitator: Marina Robb (MS, MSc, PGCE, Author)
Course Director & Lead Facilitator: Marina Robb (MS, MSc, PGCE, Author)
Marina is a national expert in nature-based educational and therapeutic interventions, with extensive experience in the development of the Forest School movement and as an endorsed trainer for the Forest School Association.
She co-authored Learning with Nature and The Essential Guide to Forest School and Nature Pedagogy (with Jon Cree).
Co Lead Facilitator: Jon Cree
Jon has over 35 years’ experience reconnecting people of all ages with the natural world. He has trained educators internationally and has been an earth education trainer with the Institute for Earth Education since 1992.
Our Track Record
Since 2009, Circle of Life Rediscovery has delivered nature-based programmes across primary and secondary care, supporting a wide range of service users.
We have pioneered nature-based interventions in partnership with NHS services including CAMHS, FISS CAMHS, Early Psychosis, Dementia, and Children in Care teams.
Our work is supported by Natural England and contributes to an emerging evidence base for nature-based and ecotherapeutic practice.
👉 Read our recent research with Natural England
Since 2004, we have raised over £500,000 to support access to nature for diverse communities.
Why learn with Circle of Life Rediscovery?
Circle of Life Rediscovery is a multi-award-winning organisation working at the intersection of nature, education and mental health.
We work across both primary and secondary care, supporting professionals to safely integrate nature-based approaches into their practice.
Since 2009, we have trained health professionals, educators and outdoor practitioners, while also delivering therapeutic programmes for young people, adults and families in our Sussex woodland site.