This first meeting for the Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy Organization will present information on the work of this proposed non-profit and offer opportunities for potential board members and other interested parties to get involved!
DATE: November 2, 2024
TIME: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
LOCATION: 3411 S 56th St, Tacoma, WA 98409
The Mindful Ecotherapy Center, LLC has been training therapists in the skills of mindfulness and ecotherapy since 2007. In early 2025, Tacoma, Washington, will become the birthplace of a pioneering non-profit organization: the Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy Organization (MBEO). This new entity aims to establish a standardized certification process for Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapists, ensuring that practitioners are well-equipped to guide individuals through the transformative practices of mindfulness and ecotherapy. The formation of MBEO marks a significant step forward in the professionalization and recognition of this emerging therapeutic approach.
What is Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy?
Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy (MBE) is a holistic therapeutic practice that integrates the principles of mindfulness with nature-based healing methods. It is rooted in the idea that connecting with the natural world can enhance mindfulness practices, fostering a deeper sense of presence, awareness, and emotional well-being. MBE combines elements of traditional ecotherapy—such as nature walks, wilderness therapy, and eco-art therapy—with mindfulness techniques like meditation, breathwork, and mindful observation.
The core premise of MBE is that by immersing oneself in nature and practicing mindfulness, individuals can experience profound healing. This approach is particularly effective in addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma, offering a unique path to mental health that goes beyond the confines of a clinical setting.
Why is the Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy Organization Needed?
As Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy gains traction as a powerful therapeutic tool, the need for a governing body to oversee its practice becomes increasingly evident. The MBEO will serve several critical functions in the development and dissemination of MBE, including:
- Establishing Certification Standards: The MBEO will create and enforce rigorous certification criteria for Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapists. This ensures that practitioners possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to effectively guide clients through MBE practices.
- Promoting Ethical Practice: By setting ethical guidelines and professional standards, the MBEO will help maintain the integrity of Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy. This will protect both practitioners and clients, fostering trust and credibility within the field.
- Providing Continuing Education: The organization will offer ongoing training and professional development opportunities, keeping practitioners up-to-date with the latest research, techniques, and best practices in MBE.
- Advocating for MBE: The MBEO will work to raise awareness of Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy within the broader mental health community and the public. By advocating for the benefits of MBE, the organization will help to integrate these practices into mainstream therapeutic approaches.
- Supporting Research and Innovation: The MBEO will encourage and support research into the effectiveness of MBE, contributing to the growing body of evidence that underpins the practice. This research will be essential for refining techniques, validating outcomes, and exploring new applications of MBE.
The Future of Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy
This first meeting for the Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy Organization represents a crucial step in the evolution of this therapeutic field. By providing a structured framework for certification, education, and advocacy, the MBEO will ensure that Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy continues to grow and thrive. As the organization takes root in Tacoma, Washington, it will pave the way for a new generation of ecotherapists who are equipped to harness the healing power of nature and mindfulness.
In the coming years, the MBEO will be at the forefront of promoting holistic mental health practices that honor the deep connection between humans and the natural world. This new non-profit is not just forming an organization—it’s creating a movement towards a more mindful, nature-connected approach to mental wellness.
Seeking Board Members
At this first meeting, we will be discussing incorporating the MBEO as a separate 502 c 3 nonprofit corporation in Washington State in 2025. At that time, board members will be trustees of the nonprofit organization. In the meantime, board members will act in an advisory capacity as we seek to solidify the vision for the new organization.
If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy Organization (MBEO), you may find an application here.
When we incorporate as a nonprofit, we will be introducing bylaws under the jurisdiction of the state of Washington.
Click here for information on non-profit law in the state of Washington.
You do not have to be a resident of Washington to serve on the board. We are currently in the process of developing the bylaws. Board members will guide this process. We solicit your feedback as we continue this process.
Other Interested Parties
If you are a therapist, counselor, or other mental health professional, or would just like to learn more about what we’re doing, you’re invited! We always welcome community members and community leaders to learn about what we’re proposing for the community of Tacoma and for the world.
Join us to learn more! RSVP using the form below! Seating is limited, so if you don’t complete the form we can’t guarantee a seating space.
MBEO Useful Links
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Guidelines for Nonprofits and Charitable Organizations
Nonprofit Association of Washington
Starting a Nonprofit in Washington State
Washington Department of Revenue
Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act
RSVP Below
We welcome anyone interested in learning more about the Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy Organization! Seating for this event is limited, so to guarantee a seat, please complete the RSVP form below at least 24 hours prior to the event to reserve your space. The sooner, the better!
Thanks for your interest in the work of the Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy Organization!