Mindfulness & Self-Compassion

Mindfulness as a part of Counselling

(For Mindfulness and Ecotherapy events, please go to Ecotherapy East Tab on this site)

Mindfulness is a fantastic tool which can help us get in touch with what is really going on inside us. While many people find it relaxing, its primary use in therapy is for looking deeply, letting go of anxiety, and developing the skills to maintain emotional balance and insight in daily life.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is closely related to Mindfulness in that the goal is to become aware of thinking patterns and gradually change them. Mindfulness is slightly different, in that it focuses more on how we relate to our thoughts than CBT does.

There are several ways in which it can be used in a session. Please give me a ring to talk through options.

Mindfulness and Ecotherapy Days and Retreats with Ecotherapy East

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better” ~Albert Einstein

Ecotherapy East was started by Robert and Sebastiana Black in July 2019.

Coming Up


Awake In The Natural World

Sunday 17th October

10:00-16:00

In a spacious meadow near Bungay, Suffolk.

No experience necessary. Everyone is welcome. Booking essential, spaces limited.

£45 Early Bird (before 1st October)

Full rate £60 - Concession £30

Rob and Sebastiana led ... us into a deeper awareness of ourselves through being present and alive to the natural world. A nourishing oasis in a busy life!"


Using our popular and powerful combination of Ecotherapy and Mindfulness practices you will have an opportunity to deepen and develop your connection to yourself and the natural world. Settling your mind and opening up your senses will allow you to be guided by the natural world in autumn, receiving insights and discovering new ways of being. We will hold space to nourish what most needs attention in your life, whilst attuning to what the natural world may be asking of us.

We will be outdoors, sitting round the fire or if it is raining under a shelter. The day will include walking meditations, sit spots, awakening senses practices and other experiential ecotherapy and mindfulness exercises, as well as time for sharing in the group and digesting experiences through creativity (creative writing, image making).

The meadow we will be on has compost loos and running water. Parking is available and lift share will be organised if necessary. More information on booking.

Robert and Sebastiana led us by the hand into a different way of thinking and being...”

In case of extreme weather we will postpone.



Wise Nature - Mindfulness and Ecotherapy Retreat 2021 near Aylsham, North Norfolk


30th July – 1st August

or 30th July – 4th August

Camp on site or sleep at home.


When we are quiet and let our mind settle, and consciously spend time with nature, a sense of ease and wellbeing emerges.


Come and spend a weekend or 5 days on a beautiful meadow in North Norfolk with ancient trees and woodland.

In this safely held space we will:

  • Practise mindfulness and self-compassion to ease our minds

  • Engage in Ecotherapy activities to enhance and clarify our connection with ourselves, each other and the more-than-human world.

  • Share with each other to deepen our experience of community

  • Use creativity to explore and expand our understanding of our experience


Basic Schedule:

Friday evening:

Arrive 5 pm to set up tent if camping

Dinner: 6-6:30 Evening Session: 7-9 pm.

Daily Schedule:

Mindfulness in Nature Sessions: 9:30-12:30 and 3:30-6.

Optional after dinner opportunities- Sauna, time around the fire, music and dance, etc. depending on the evening.


Guest Teacher Katy Dunne

Monday 2nd, 10-12 noon - (like all sessions on the retreat, this session is optional)

Dance Artist and Dance Movement Psychotherapist Katy Dunne will facilitate a two hour workshop involving movement meditations, improvisation, authentic movement and creative dance. She will guide us to immerse ourselves in the more-than-human world and to be inspired by its form, shape, sounds, scents, textures and rhythms. As we move in and with the natural world, we will deepen our connection to it, to each other and to our authentic selves. No movement experience is necessary.


Facilities: There is a large rustic workshop space with a wood-burner where we can be if it is raining. We can also enjoy the lovely compost loos, hot showers and a sauna.

There is plenty of space for camping.

Busses are available to Aylsham and we can organise a lift from there.


Food: Participants are asked to bring their own food for breakfast and lunch. Those that decide to camp will share dinner together and cook on the open fire.


Options for stay and retreat:

  1. Arrive from 5-6:30pm Friday 30th July and leave on afternoon Sunday 1st August

Weekend retreat- Early bird-£75; After 20th June- £90

Plus: Camping £5 per night; £5 per dinner

Or sleep at home.

  1. Arrive from 5-6:30pm Friday 30th July and leave on afternoon Wednesday 4th August

5 day retreat : Early bird-£175; After 20th June- £200

Plus: Camping £5 per night; £5 per dinner

Or sleep at home.


Email: robertblackcounselling@gmail.com


Robert and Sebastiana (www.sebastianablack.co.uk) are both trained counsellors and ecotherapists, as well as mindfulness and self-compassion teachers. They both use expressive arts when working in nature to deepen our participation. Robert has a keen interest in bird watching and plants, and will guide us to notice the soundscapes around us. Sebastiana will engage us in a more embodied relating with the natural world, using movement and voice, opening our sensitivity to both the inner and outer landscapes. Robert runs Active Hope courses and both he and Sebastiana are eager to support earth stewardship wherever possible.