#81 The Therapeutic Power of Nature: A Deep Dive with Ecotherapist Lindsay Cray

Lindsay Cray started her career as a therapist after a long and interesting journey. Her life was shaped by her deep connection to nature, which served as her safe space during a challenging upbringing in Rochester, New York. Despite growing up in the city, she often sought refuge in nearby green spaces, which became an essential part of her life. She pursued a career in environmental science and conducted research on conservation and how people interact with natural spaces. Her conclusion was that including local culture and community engagement in protection plans for green spaces was more effective and efficient. Her affinity for the outdoors led her to teach young people about nature and its importance. In her career as an educator, Lindsay realized that she wanted to do more in the field of mental health. She embarked on a journey to become a mental health counselor, earning a second master's degree. This decision was influenced by her father's terminal brain cancer diagnosis and her desire to make a positive impact in the mental health field. In 2020, Lindsay started her own ecotherapy program for veterans, combining her love for nature with her mental health counseling skills. She emphasized that nature-based therapy could help individuals understand their connection to themselves and the natural world and become an integrated part of their lives. Her approach focused on education, psychoeducation, and wilderness survival skills, offering a holistic approach to mental health. As a therapist, Lindsay integrates cognitive-behavioral therapy with her expertise in wilderness survival, empowering her clients to connect with nature and develop essential life skills. She emphasizes that therapy should help individuals during sessions and enable them to explore and enjoy nature on their own. Lindsey is passionate about working with veterans and helping them transition from military culture to civilian life, offering them tools to overcome challenges and feel empowered to take control of their mental health. She believes that the traditional model of therapy needs improvement, with a focus on quality care and long-term effectiveness rather than just productivity metrics. She also mentioned the potential impact of investment firms in the mental health field, which could lead to changes in licensing and greater accessibility to quality care across state lines.