Restoring, Regenerating and Rewilding - offered by WildCATs
28th September 2023 to 30th September 2023


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Rewilding Our Selves, Rewilding our Practice

Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, Glenmoriston, Scotland

This extended residential, endorsed by CAT Scotland, is for counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists etc. who are familiar with relational therapy/Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT). We are very excited to be offering an opportunity to come together in Glenmoriston for a residential experience offering the space for restoration, regeneration and rewilding of our Selves and our practice. The recognition of the need for us all to find ways of reconnecting with nature, as well as embedding this into our practice as mental health practitioners, is becoming increasingly central to our collective dialogue. As we explore ways of supporting ourselves, each other, and those that we work alongside to overcome difficulties and distress and enable meaningful opportunities for change.

Recently there has been a lot of focus on rewilding projects across the world, as many who feel passionate about the impacts of the climate crisis and the profound loss of biodiversity see rewilding as one of the solutions. However, we need to also be cautious that (particularly within the Highlands of Scotland) rewilding of large estates doesn’t become yet another form of land colonialism – a repetition of the intergenerational traumas of the Clearances that resulted in the displacement and disconnect of communities from land, nature and subsequent loss of language, heritage and culture. Hence, we are seeking to provide residential experience that looks to embrace and encourage us to find a way of reconnecting with landscape and nature, within the beauty of the Highlands of Scotland, whilst ensuring we are mindful of the local narrative of displacement and social injustice. This is a residential experience about reconnecting with Nature, learning to allow Nature to be our co-therapist and to find its way into the spaces in between – those liminal spaces. This will be a space for us to share our learning about rewilding therapeutic practice and explore the meaning of outdoor therapeutic practice. But, at the same time, a place where we might explore the possibility of rewilding ourselves - a rewilding experience within, between and around.

What to expect The residential will involve a mix of solo and group experiential exercises, reflective exercises, teaching, and re-wilding practices. It will involve moving and walking through natural terrains. A list of recommended clothing and equipment to bring will be provided.

Who is the course for? This residential experience is aimed at clinicians who are familiar with relational therapies/CAT and who are interested in connecting with Nature, exploring how to take therapy outdoors and use Nature as a co-therapist. Clinicians that practice or have undertaken relational therapy courses or who have completed the Introduction to CAT course, current trainees on CAT Practitioner courses, and qualified CAT practitioners/psychotherapists are all welcome. You are not required to have had any prior experience of working therapeutically outdoors or with Nature.

For more information and booking please download the flyer under Event Documents.

Event Documents


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