Continuing Education February 6
You are invited to a…
Nazareth University Workshop:
Eco-Art Therapy: Designing and Using Therapeutic Green Spaces
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Time: 9:00am - 12:00 pm
Where: Nazareth University, Medaille Hall, Formal Lounge
Campus Map: Medaille Hall
Cost:
- Professionals: $60
- Nazareth Faculty: $10
- Art & Music Therapy Students: FREE
- All Other Students: $5
Register by February 2, 2026: Register Here
Continuing Education: 3 NYS CEU available for Creative Art Therapists
Course Instructor: Dr. Amanda Alders Pike is a Board-Certified Art Therapist, Certified Educational Leader, and internationally published author in mental health and community wellness. She has led as President of the Florida Art Therapy Association, served as Educational Chair for the Florida Native Plant Society, and represented multiple organizations as an NBCC ACEP provider. Beyond her academic and clinical expertise, Dr. Pike operates a two-acre therapeutic farm with USDA conservation grants and partners with Palm Beach County 4-H to lead youth programs that integrate wellness, education, and nature.
Course Description:
‘Designing and Using Therapeutic Green Spaces’ empowers mental health professionals to create, use, and evaluate restorative environments that support treatment outcomes and client transitions out of care. This continuing education series is grounded in neuroscience, psychosocial development theories, and permaculture design. The program addresses mental health issues related to screen fatigue, sleep and circadian health, nutrition via therapeutic gardening, accessibility and safety outdoors, social justice and cultural attunement, and green group therapy.
Objectives:
- Apply neuroscience/ psychophysiological evidence to explain how time in green-spaces reduces stress & supports mental health.
- Integrate lifespan and multicultural perspectives to adapt interventions for diverse developmental stages and cultures.
- Design safe, accessible, and permaculture-informed therapeutic spaces regardless of season.
- Embed green-exposure goals (sleep hygiene, nutrition via gardening, movement) into treatment plans and transitions out of care.
- Collaborate with clients to set measurable goals and document outcomes using validated assessments.
- Implement risk management for green-space clinical work (e.g., cold weather, heat, lightning, boundaries, consent).
- Evaluate program impact with practical frameworks to guide quality improvement.
Texts authored by speaker to be referenced:
- Pike, A (2023). Transforming Florida Yards: A Permaculture Garden and Food Forest Guide. Pineapple Press. Miami, FL.
- Pike, A. (2021). Eco-Art Therapy in Practice. Routledge. UK
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
Written cancellation must be received via email by February 2, 2026 for the full refund of the workshop fee. Please send an email to Colleen Weldgen (cweldge7@naz.edu) if you need to cancel. Programs may be canceled by the Nazareth University Creative Arts Therapy Department based on low attendance. Full refunds will be issued.
Statement of Relationship:
Nazareth University is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Art Therapists #CAT-0036.
