Presentation on Eco-anxiety: Values and Metacognitions

This evening (Tuesday 31 October 2023) I was delighted to speak at the British Psychological Society (BPS) in London on eco-anxiety and approaches to treatment. This was as part of a seminar on Psychology and Climate Change: what is to be done?

Eco-anxiety’ has become a catch-all term for a range of emotional responses to climate change and environmental degradation, from fear of the future to anger or sadness that insufficient action on climate change or biodiversity loss appears to be happening (‘climate anxiety’, ‘eco-anger’, ‘eco-grief’ etc). Studies show a high prevalence among young people, while my own clinical experience reflects its increasing presentation among a diversity of clients, including those working in the environmental field and those with nothing to do with it.

In my own London-based practice (and online), eco-anxiety rarely presents in isolation; often it appears as a specific 'stuck' focus of attention where the environment in some shape or form has become a dominant or all-pervasive personal value over and above, and at the expense of, all others. Consequently, mindfulness-based cognitive therapies, e.g. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and metacognitive approaches drawn from Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) appear most promising in helping clients to shift perspective, gain greater psychological flexibility and to be able to find joy in life again.

If you feel anxious, sad or angry in relation to climate change and/or environmental degradation, don’t hesitate to get in touch. My environmental background means I have a unique perspective as a therapist on this difficult issue. But it is possible to address it in a way that offers hope and a more positive mindset for the future.

See also Eco-anxiety under Issues, including periodic online Eco-anxiety introductory workshops.

Bill Sheate, 31 October 2023