Ruth Wittersgreen, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist for more than 20 years, is a relative newcomer to serious photography, the passion for it growing out of work in ecological/wilderness therapy, study of environmental psychology, and a deep awareness of the healing power of nature. A love for travel, a life-long fascination with birds (as well as with other fauna and flora), and a sense of adventure have facilitated the building of an expansive portfolio of wildlife photos and a couple of new career endeavors.
Extensive study has confirmed for Dr. Wittersgreen that even merely looking at photographs of natural scenes reliably produces meaningful health benefits. This is because images of much of nature, (whether seen in a forest or field, - in natural, tangible, three dimensions - or in a painting or photo), are "fractal", containing patterns that repeat, often in a seemingly random manner, from tiny to larger and larger iterations. Fractals are present in trees, mountains, bodies of water, flowers, as well as in feathers, the markings of many animals (think of the patterns of a zebra or giraffe), and even in the nerves in our eyeballs. Indeed, it is the particular ratio of a fractal that predicts both its aesthetic and health enhancing quality; most fractals observed in nature possess the same ratio as do the neurons in our retinas. Seeing nature literally resonates with and soothes our eyes and in turn our nervous systems.
Thus, Ruth Wittersgreen is launching her photography website for online viewing and sales as one way to expand the health and psychological wellbeing she has spent her career trying to increase in the world. In September of 2020, Ruth opened Wittersgreen Wildlife's gallery in Washington, DC, which now serves double duty as her primary psychotherapy consulting space.
Whether viewing this collection is enjoyed by clients who may have hiked during a therapy session or retreat with Dr. Wittersgreen when the photo was taken, by other nature and photography enthusiasts, or anyone who might unintentionally happen upon this site, or whether a photograph is purchased (via the upcoming online store) for private or professional use, perhaps by other health professionals who recognize the calming and anxiety reducing properties of displaying the images in patient care areas, it is Ruth's most sincere hope that sharing the intricacies of nature extends the reach of her life's work and encourages all who are touched to seek out, appreciate and protect the beauty of the world which is all around us.
A portion of any proceeds from the sale of photography will be donated to causes that protect the environment and/or to providing psychological treatment to underserved groups.
Current pandemic conditions have stalled Dr. Wittersgreen's plans to expand her clinical psychology practice to include immersive, therapeutic group travel experiences to parts of the globe, near and far, where clients' personal growth can be fed outdoors with fresh air, water, and the sun. At some point, in the not too distant future, she will be organizing travel therapy retreats for various groups, for instance:
1. groups of couples or singles engaging in relationship repair and/or skills building
2. groups of individuals who've survived significant traumas, merging more traditional treatment with the proven restorative power of wilderness and adventure
3. groups of people grieving the death of a loved one finding meaning in mutual support, helping others cope while experiencing that they can still enjoy being in the world despite having suffered enormous loss
Please contact Dr. Wittersgreen if you have interest in any of the above, or other therapeutic nature travel requests. She can be reached through this site, or her practice website: http://www.wittersgreentherapy.com
For future travels with the photographer, and for past client sessions and retreats, this website will provide a place for clients to preview and request, free of charge, copies of the photos taken during their excursions.
Extensive study has confirmed for Dr. Wittersgreen that even merely looking at photographs of natural scenes reliably produces meaningful health benefits. This is because images of much of nature, (whether seen in a forest or field, - in natural, tangible, three dimensions - or in a painting or photo), are "fractal", containing patterns that repeat, often in a seemingly random manner, from tiny to larger and larger iterations. Fractals are present in trees, mountains, bodies of water, flowers, as well as in feathers, the markings of many animals (think of the patterns of a zebra or giraffe), and even in the nerves in our eyeballs. Indeed, it is the particular ratio of a fractal that predicts both its aesthetic and health enhancing quality; most fractals observed in nature possess the same ratio as do the neurons in our retinas. Seeing nature literally resonates with and soothes our eyes and in turn our nervous systems.
Thus, Ruth Wittersgreen is launching her photography website for online viewing and sales as one way to expand the health and psychological wellbeing she has spent her career trying to increase in the world. In September of 2020, Ruth opened Wittersgreen Wildlife's gallery in Washington, DC, which now serves double duty as her primary psychotherapy consulting space.
Whether viewing this collection is enjoyed by clients who may have hiked during a therapy session or retreat with Dr. Wittersgreen when the photo was taken, by other nature and photography enthusiasts, or anyone who might unintentionally happen upon this site, or whether a photograph is purchased (via the upcoming online store) for private or professional use, perhaps by other health professionals who recognize the calming and anxiety reducing properties of displaying the images in patient care areas, it is Ruth's most sincere hope that sharing the intricacies of nature extends the reach of her life's work and encourages all who are touched to seek out, appreciate and protect the beauty of the world which is all around us.
A portion of any proceeds from the sale of photography will be donated to causes that protect the environment and/or to providing psychological treatment to underserved groups.
Current pandemic conditions have stalled Dr. Wittersgreen's plans to expand her clinical psychology practice to include immersive, therapeutic group travel experiences to parts of the globe, near and far, where clients' personal growth can be fed outdoors with fresh air, water, and the sun. At some point, in the not too distant future, she will be organizing travel therapy retreats for various groups, for instance:
1. groups of couples or singles engaging in relationship repair and/or skills building
2. groups of individuals who've survived significant traumas, merging more traditional treatment with the proven restorative power of wilderness and adventure
3. groups of people grieving the death of a loved one finding meaning in mutual support, helping others cope while experiencing that they can still enjoy being in the world despite having suffered enormous loss
Please contact Dr. Wittersgreen if you have interest in any of the above, or other therapeutic nature travel requests. She can be reached through this site, or her practice website: http://www.wittersgreentherapy.com
For future travels with the photographer, and for past client sessions and retreats, this website will provide a place for clients to preview and request, free of charge, copies of the photos taken during their excursions.