Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session Four: Holding the Whole: Mandalas in Nature-Based Therapy

Delivered By: Emma Pritchard

Some of the most powerfully connected, transformative and healing spaces I have been involved with have been within sacred land spaces, and I would like to create a similar space within the indoor space of the Iron Mill conference.

I will be offering an indoor nature workshop that invites a healing and connective space through the mindful and intentional creation of a nature mandala. A moment for you to pause away from the pressures of screens and performance drivers. A

space to slow down, be still and connect with yourselves, each other and the here and now.

A mandala symbolises interconnectedness, wholeness, community and harmony with an important reminder to embrace the impermanence of life. This is a space to offer emotional expression without the need for language and a need to be artistically perfect.

With nature as our guide during this workshop we will welcome reduced stress levels, calm nervous systems, increase feelings of belonging and connection, and a reflective space which will boost clarity and creativity.

Pieces of the natural world from Dorset will be offered for this mandala creation, but there is also an invitation for participants to bring along a piece of nature they feel a strong connection with to share within the mandala creation - maybe a favourite flower/plant from their garden or pebbles from their favourite beach.

The intent is for the group participants to deepen their connection to themselves, the group and explore the felt sense of healing together within this natural portal - with the hope of moving forward from this workshop with the invisible connected threads that will continue to transcend from this magical moment in time.

“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it” Roald Dahl

About Emma:

Emma Pritchard is an MBACP accredited counsellor and certified forest therapist with Nature and Therapy UK. In 2018 Emma evolved her counselling practice into Nature and has continued to support other practitioners to do the same. Emma has a diverse range of experience supporting children, young people, families and individuals coping with grief and long-term illness. Emma’s counselling practice is grounded within cultural, spiritual and sacred practices embraced throughout history.  Emma’s experiential workshop will offer you a curious and reflective space to connect with Nature to support you and your clients.