Spirituality and connection to nature as dimensions of the therapeutic process in mental health: The point of view of clinical ecopsychology as a complementary path

As part of the research carried out on complementary and alternative therapies, the relationship that humans can have with nature has been analyzed from the therapeutic angles of clinical ecopsychology and ecotherapies. In fact, this recent current of research makes a link between the individual and the relationship they can have with nature from a therapeutic perspective. In the context of mental health, several works have shown the positive effects of visual contact with nature, immersion in nature, and rediscovering it in group activities. At the same time, studies showing the effectiveness of therapeutic dynamics of a spiritual and religious nature have developed strongly, illustrating positive effects on mental health and the development of well-being, in the fight against illness. The purpose of this article is, on the one hand, to highlight the therapeutic nature of the spiritual dimension found in the field of alternative and complementary medicine and, on the other, to highlight the fields of clinical ecopsychology and ecotherapy. Finally, in a third step, and after having identified certain effects of contact with nature in terms of perception, connection, and immersion, we will try to put forward the hypothesis of the link between spirituality, as a vector of therapeutic mediation, and the relationship that the individual can have with nature, as a therapeutic experience. This will highlight new complementary therapeutic approaches in the field of mental health, which we will only introduce in this study.