"You are a gift Deb... Plant Whisperer, in a sense. Teaching others that they, too, have the ability if they listen and experience the life of each plant." - Kristen 2015
Deborah Punton is an Ecopsychologist, Eco-Art Facilitator, Environment Educator, Permaculture Educator, and Landscape Designer living in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.
Deb utilises the transformative and healing power of gardening, education, and immersive Greensong events, projects, and workshops to inspire and nurture bonds between individuals and our natural world.
Debs unique combination of qualifications, skills and life experiences combine to co-create with nature based on self-care, community and environment wellbeing.
Self-care
Eco-Art Therapy sessions and projects are based on attuning ourselves with reciprocal relationships as a part of nature. Ie: Eco-Art Seasons, Gratitude Mandalas
Nature Guided Walks 1:1 (Personalised guided Nature Mindfulness)
SOS eco-resilience workshops to transition climate/ecological crisis-related feelings or simply relax and deepen ecological awareness.
Events as noted and requested.
Events and workshops may be tailored to the client, individual or group needs.
Community care
Environmental education for children 3yrs old-adults. Gardening, sustainability classes, workshops and teacher PD.
Nature-mindfulness group eco-therapy
SOS eco-resilience workshops to transition climate/ecological crisis-related feelings or simply relax and deepen ecological awareness.
Active Hope and The Work That Reconnects workshops broadens our community relationships, increases resilience and support networks.
Gardens for Wellbeing
Events and workshops may be tailored to the client, individual or group needs.
Environmental care
Environmental education for children 3yrs old-adults. Gardening, sustainability classes, workshops and teacher PD.
Permaculture landscape design
Horticultural garden consultation
Qualifications
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Permaculture Educator
(ASIC International Accreditation)
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Diploma Landscape Design
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Permaculture Design Certificate
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Horticulture Cert 2
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Ex-nurse (Psychiatric Endorsed)
Other passions
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The Work That Reconnects Facilitator
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Sacred Activism
Deb utilizes Ecopsychology and Eco-Art Therapy methods in programs and group sessions with people who wish to:
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Explore creative expression.
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Understand benefits of nature and feel more balanced, healthier and rejuvenated.
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Enquire into interconnected relationships with self as part of the whole.
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Learn more about plants, food systems, sustainable practices, and supporting our local environment.
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Engage in sacred activism, process thoughts and feelings about climate, ecological & sociatal decline: Ie. anxiety, depression, despair, guilt, feelings of being overwhelmed/powerless. See S.O.S
“The individual practice was helpful in allowing me to feel my connection with nature. I was reminded about the inherent gifts that I have and I receive from Nature, which is empowering. I would want to do this practice regularly. I have support from nature and the environment to help me cope. Thank you Deb. It really helped me to calm down.... The exercise gave me a focused way to have more nature engagement with what’s around me.”
- Client statement
My Ecopsychology journey continues....
My ecopsychology studies continue with myself as the primary subject and though exploring pracitces and connections deeply with broader relationships with other people. Being receptive to a place, space or entity and tuning-in can mean any outlet, action or expression can be a conduit, from a landscape design, sensing the space to lead the design and plan, to guiding individuals and groups in a process to experience the depth of their relationships with self, each other and our natural world.
My Ecopsychology journey began in 2012.
I had never heard of the word and as soon as I began with the first module, I realised it wove together my nursing and mental health nursing, horticultural, and landscape design, and education background. I found I could tune in and be receptive in any circumstance to make more life-affirming choices of action.
I noted not long after beginning my Ecopsychology studies with Project Nature Connect that a deep longing went away. This longing was a life-long discomfort, a wanderlust, insatiable need, called me to experience and explore, to search... Later I realised much of my searching journey involved consumerism; I was kind of addicted to consuming different countries and experiences, also, seeking cultural knowledge and the experience of being "somewhere else" to try and satisfy the urge, drive and busy longing inside. I consumed in various forms... searching and searching.
Over time, through my ecopsychology studies, I realised I had been just been searching for belonging and connection. The kind that comes from the deep knowing you are home in this body, a part of nature and connected to all that is. I am therefore home wherever I am at any time, and I belong. Our earth birthed me over billions of years, I am this earth and all that is here and been, and to come.
The reading, connection with others in the courses and experimenting with practices was the most life-changing and affirming thing I have ever done. I came home to myself as part of so much more. I didn't come from a culture that valued this perspective, or taught practices and rituals to support my true development. I had to learn from the internal longing discomfort about how humans can live collaboratly with all beings and within the eco-spiritual realm can find healing, rejuvenation, wise counsel, and guidance on how to best take actions that are life-affirming for our earth as part of our earth.
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Location - Naarm,
Melbourne Australia.
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