Andy McGeeney is a freelance ecotherapist and has worked with ecotherapy for over 25 years, including running projects and training workshops. He was appointed as Psychologist Specialising in Ecotherapy to the North East London Foundation Trust from 2009-2011. Andy is a visiting lecturer in ecotherapy to the University of East London and Birkbeck College London. He lives in Essex, UK.

With Nature in Mind: The Ecotherapy Manual for Mental Health Professionals highlights the huge benefits to mental wellbeing from engaging with green environments and taking part in ecotherapy activities. Havering Mind have seen over many years the positive effects of nature on mental health distress via our green walks, horticulture project and restorative garden. Spending time in the natural world is good for all of us.

• Acknowledgements. Disclaimer. Foreword by Lindsay Royan, Head of Psychological Services, Barking and Dagenham. Preface. Part 1. ECOTHERAPY: what it is and how to do it. 1. Introduction. Entering the Forest. 2. Deeper into the Forest. 3. Doing Ecotherapy in our Work. Part 2. EVIDENCE: a review of the effectiveness of nature on our health and well-being. 4. The Evidence from Evolution and Ecological Systems. 5. The Evidence from Body and Mind Studies. Physical Health. Mindfulness. 6. The Evidence for Specific Environmental Factors. The Effects of Changes in Light. The Effects of Negative Ions. The Effects of Natural Sounds. 7. The Evidence for Social Differences. The Effects on Children. The Effects on People with Dementia. The Effects on Communities. The Effects on Mental Health and Well-being. Part 3. ACTIVITIES. 8. Introduction. Useful Resources. References. Further Reading. Index.