Relationship to the Earth: Colonialist and Indigenous Perspectives

Marisa Mabli and Aleksandra Rayska will showcase contemporary theory and clinical implications related to climate crisis anxiety. Presenters will focus on the feminist perspective on climate change, forefronting the intertwined issues of gender, colonialism, and social justice. They will look at ways clients as well as therapists are impacted by the trauma of bearing witness to environmental devastations that increase every year. In the presentation we will focus on ways therapists and clients can respond and process those experiences.

In sharp contrast, Carol Crowe will walk us into the indigenous ways of relating to the land, flora, fauna, water, wildlife, and each other. Through storytelling, she will share the knowledge of the Elders and their wisdom of how to see the land and sacred places, illuminating environmentally conscious ways of connecting to and “being" in the world. 

This event is for the public as well as practitioners. Qualifying practitioners may receive 2.0 CEs.*

Learning objectives:

1. Deepen understanding of climate change anxiety in clinical encounters

2. Enable clinicians to gain understanding of how climate change anxiety is affecting them

3. Gain a better understanding of the differences between colonialist and indigenous perspectives

About the honorees: At this year’s Laurie Phillips Memorial Lecture, WTCI recognizes three honorees: Carol Crowe, Marisa Mabli and Aleksandra Rayska. The two presentations offered by our honorees will be in conversation for this annual gathering.

Qualifying practitioners: WTCI has been recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for NYS licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0102 and creative arts therapists #CAT-0018, by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Workers as an approved provider of continuing education for NYS licensed social workers #SW-0361, and by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0049.