Songs of Hope: Ecotherapy, Bird Divination, and Nature Healing with Ash Lounsbury

In this episode, we’re joined by ecopsychologist Ash Lounsbury for a rich and wide-ranging conversation on ecotherapy, bird divination, and remembering our relationship with the natural world.Ash shares her personal journey into ecotherapy, including how nature-based practices supported her own healing. We explore her current work guiding individuals and communities in nature connection practices, ritual, and bird divination.A central thread of the conversation is bird divination--a mindful, oracular practice that helps you tune into your inner wisdom. Together, we reflect on our own meaningful encounters with birds and the wisdom they offer through sound, behavior, and presence. Ash emphasizes shifting from identification toward listening, witnessing, and relationship, and how these practices can help us reconnect with nature. Topics CoveredEcotherapy and nature-based healingSupporting trauma-informed relationships with natureBird divination as personal and communal practiceSeasonal workshops, community circles, and individual offeringsBird apprenticeship and learning from local speciesSymbolism and lived experience with birds Listening vs. identifying in nature connectionResources MentionedThe Merlin AppAsh Lounsbury is an ecopsychologist and enrolled citizen of the Wahzhazhe (Osage) Nation. Ash holds a non-clinical Master's in Ecopsychology from Naropa University and Level 1 and 2 certificates in ecotherapy from the Earthbody Institute. Her graduate research culminated in a dissertation on the intersection of ancient bird divination and contemporary ecotherapeutic modalities. Ash sometimes writes about myth, ecohealing, queerness, and birds.With over a decade of meditation experience, she's had the honor to support Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield's virtual meditation community members. In 2025, she co-founded Earthwild Ecology Club where she co-facilitates virtual ecopsychological workshops.wakeecohealing.comEarthwilld Ecology ClubIG: @wake.ecohealingSupport the showIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it. If you enjoy the podcast, please rate and subscribe. Want to join us as a guest? Complete this form and we'll get back to you!Adina Arden Cooper is a Shadow Guide and Holistic Therapist. She helps highly sensitive creative visionaries heal trauma so they can not only survive this human experience but thrive in the expression of their greatest gifts. Adina has over 20 years of experience in education and mental health. She's also an artist, a seeker, a mother, and very curious person. Firebirdcreative.meFire Bird Creative Roberta Anderson is a Professional Home Organizer, Feng Shui Consultant, Home Witch, and Astrologer. With a deep understanding of both practical organization and intuitive energy work, Roberta helps clients create spaces that nourish the mind, body, and spirit. By combining the art of home design with the wisdom of astrology, she guides individuals in aligning their environments with their personal goals and energetic needs. Her holistic approach helps clients clear clutter, improve energy flow, and cultivate a more peaceful and balanced environment.The Home Witch Organize & Feng Shui