Work through your own thoughts and feelings about climate change so that you know where you stand. Seek peer consultation to discuss these issues in relation to your practice and process your feelings (and get PD points at the same time!). With greater awareness of your own concern about bigger-than-self issues like environmental threats, you are better able to be present, non-judgmental and helpful to people expressing their own concerns.
Be aware of environmental threats as a legitimate set of concerns for clients. Consider that these issues are unique and unprecedented; rarely have we been confronted with threats of such magnitude, together with so much denial about the threats.
For some, these concerns are an existential issue, and tap into fears about the future, anxiety about bringing children into the world, safety and security, and our own place in the world.
For others, climate change may already be impacting on their lives via natural disasters, financial problems, or livelihoods.
Be prepared to draw out these bigger-than-self concerns with clients, to invite them to face such fears, to chip away at the extrinsic, materialistic values, and encourage the switch to intrinsic ‘care’ values.