Alienation from nature may be deeply implicated in the global ecological crisis and its associated deleterious wellbeing impacts. This highlights the importance of research that focuses on addressing and improving human connectedness with nature. Our study aimed to investigate the human-nature connection by exploring the concept of human-nature wellbeing reciprocity in the context of ecotherapy theory and practice. A qualitative research methodology was employed and grounded in a critical realist ontology and epistemology. Participants were seven ecotherapy practitioners. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, analysed using thematic analysis, and explored with reference to social and biological science, First Nations, ecological land management, and other literatures. Analysis constructed three themes: (1) Human-Nature Connection is Multidimensional, (2) Ecotherapy May Initiate Transactional Reciprocity, and (3) Ecotherapy May Facilitate Co-becoming with Nature. The findings suggest that the human-nature connection can be understood in diverse but ultimately compatible ways offering a multidimensional and ecocentric perspective on human-nature wellbeing. Furthermore, human-nature wellbeing reciprocity may influence ecotherapeutic outcomes and may be harnessed through ecotherapeutic practices. This research contributes to the conceptual articulation and practical application of ecotherapeutic approaches that empower mutually healing engagements of humans with nature.
Keywords: ecotherapy, human-nature connectedness, reciprocity, wellbeing
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