I have given nearly 70 conference presentations, university guest lectures, talks, interviews, and classes about ecotherapy and nature connection. Most of these have been in Texas, but I have also been an invited guest speaker at conferences in Virginia and Wisconsin. Additionally, for over five years, I taught basic and advanced ecotherapy training retreats to over 140 therapists, environmental educators, medical professionals, and ministers in Texas and Virginia.
Selected guest lectures and presentations include:
University of Texas Graduate School of Social Work, multiple classes
University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work, Green Social Work class
University of Texas Continuing Education Program
University of Texas Environmental Justice & Ecotherapy Student Organization
Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Wisconsin Foster & Adoptive Parent Association Fall Conference
Texas School Social Work Conference
Texas State University Honors College
Texas Children in Nature Annual Conference
Canadian Ecopsychology Network
Nature as Co-Therapist: Incorporating Nature Connection into Therapeutic Work with Children and Adults, Ecotherapy Conference, Wildrock (Virginia)
Deep Roots: Visionary Leadership, Engaging Diverse Communities & Practical Tools for Healing the Earth and Ourselves Ecotherapy Conference, Earthbody Institute
Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI)
Central Texas Veterans’ Conference on Moral Injury
Adoption Knowledge Affiliates Annual Conference
Temple College, Biology Class
Healing Complex Kids Conference
Flatwater Foundation
Ecotherapy Research & Practice professional online group
CASA of the Highland Lakes
STARRY Foster and Adoption Agency
Candlelight Ranch
Starlite Recovery Center
Sage Recovery Center
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Austin
Earthbody Institute Ecotherapy Level 2 Training Course
The Spa in Me Women’s Retreats
Austin Wellness Collaborative
Austin Wellness Entrepreneurs
The Net Connection
Women Empowering Women in Nature
HARTH Foundation
Seton Highland Lakes Rehabilitation, Parkinson’s Support Group
Baylor, Scott, & White, Cancer Support Group
Cremation Advocates by Putnam
Texas Master Naturalists, Capital Area Chapter
Comal County Conservation Association
Travis Audubon Society
Wild Bird Centers of Lakeway
Wimberley Birding Club
Native Plant Society of Texas, Highland Lakes Chapter
Highland Lakes Birding & Wildflower Society
Highland Lakes Garden Club
Texas Outdoors-woman Network, San Marcos Chapter
Selected interviews and book contributions:
The Spa in Me Podcast, Sandra Foreman interviewed me about ecotherapy and my mindfulness in nature walks and retreats
How to Heal: A Practical Guide to Nine Natural Therapies You Can Use to Release Your Trauma, interviewed by author Jessi Beyer for her book research on ecotherapy and nature-based therapies, trauma, and trauma healing
Under the Texas Sky podcast, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Episode #1
Passport to Texas podcast, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Date TBA (Subject: Speaking to Kids About Dangers in Nature)
Voices of Hope, invited by author Kristine Irwin to write the Foreward for her book after she read my blog post on Secondary Trauma in Adoptive Parents
Inter-Country Adoption New Zealand (blog reprint): ICANZ magazine editor, Tania Hackett, requested to reprint my blog post on Secondary Trauma in Adoptive Parents in their bi-annual magazine for adoptive parents (published April 2017)
Therapy Chat Podcast: Laura Reagan, LCSW-C, after a very popular interview on Attachment Trauma and Adoption, Laura Reagan, LCSW-C, interviewed me about ecotherapy and Nature as a Co-Therapist as a part of a series on Creativity and the Therapeutic Process (Episode 80, April 14, 2017)
Therapy Chat Podcast: Laura Reagan, LCSW-C, interviewed me on my clinical perspectives and approaches on working with and understanding attachment trauma and adoption as part of a series on Trauma & Attachment (Episode 58, November 3, 2016); downloaded over 4,200 times
Adoption HEART Conference: Penelope Webster interviewed me on Secondary Trauma in Adoptive Parents for this online conference for adoptive and foster parents hosted by Foster2Forever (May, 2016)
The Trauma Therapist Podcast: Guy MacPherson, MA, PhD, interviewed me on my clinical perspectives and approaches as a trauma therapist who integrates ecotherapy into my work with clients (Episode 134, November 2015)
Family to Family Support Network Radio Show: Rebecca Vahle interviewed me about my perspectives as a person who was adopted, adoptive mom, and trauma therapist (April 18, 2015)
The Picayune: https://www.101highlandlakes.com/forest-bathing-and-eco-therapy-in-the-highland-lakes
The Picayune: https://www.101highlandlakes.com/news/life-less-lonely-eco-therapy-retreat
My Canyon Lake: https://mycanyonlake.com/ccca-panel-discussion-focuses-on-nature-as-healer/
Feedback about my presentations, classes, and workshops:
“Amy’s presentation about ecotherapy was extraordinary! Thank you for sharing your deep passion with us.” – J.L., ecotherapy workshop participant
“I loved Amy’s talk. She gave me so many ideas to help clients. Her talk even helped me to see the benefit of me not just going on hikes occasionally on weekends but also building in small moments of ecotherapy for myself daily as part of good self-care.” – Jennifer, clinical psychologist
“I’ve done this for 16 years and never seen all ‘excellents’!” – D., CEU series coordinator
“The class was amazing. Amy is a fantastic speaker!” – Marsha, biology professor
“Amy has the remarkable gift of gentle and thoughtful guidance. She is a beautifully skilled and intuitive facilitator.” – Jane, ecotherapy workshop participant
"My students got so much from Amy's program. Thank you for (giving them) such an important and inspirational experience." – Alice, horticulture professor
“Fantastic presentation!” – presentation participant
“Thank you again for a phenomenal training!” – R., Counseling Graduate Student
“(Ecotherapy) feels like I am giving myself the gift of connection with nature in a meaningful and intentional way for the first time. And coming to your training was one of the first ways I did that. Thank you for being so bold with your passion – it encourages me to do the same!” – A., LPC
“Thank you for such wonderfully engaging, inspiring, and informational training!” – S., LMSW
“…I have been expanding and deepening my connection with nature in some really meaningful ways. I have had a meditation practice for a long time, but I recently moved it outside and have started doing a walking meditation where I notice not just the experience of walking but also take in the sensory experiences of nature. It has really transformed my meditation practice. It feels like I am giving myself the gift of connection with nature in a meaningful and intentional way for the first time. And coming to your training was one of the first ways I did that. Thank you for being so bold with your passion - it encourages me to do the same!” – A., LPC