Coping with Climate Change - in Community By Alex Arnold (she/her), MSPsych, ACC, from Alma Coaching

Guest Post

In a previous blog, 12 HSP-Friendly Tools to Manage Climate Anxiety, I shared several tools that can help individuals cope with the emotional impact that climate change has on them. With all that is happening in the world, no one is spared from experiencing, directly or indirectly, loss, destruction, and suffering. There is no denying the increase of the psychological impact of these events. Sadness, grief, anger, rage, indignation, fear, anxiety, hopelessness, helplessness…  These are just a few of the common emotions related to climate change. They are often grouped together under the term climate anxiety.

Indeed, there are lots of things that you can do on your own to manage climate anxiety, including taking one of Julie Bjelland’s courses to learn to regulate your nervous system, set healthy boundaries (with climate deniers and the news for example), manage overstimulation and stress, or find your authentic self (and how you fit in the climate movement as an HSP). It is also important to recognize that all emotions mentioned above are normal and valid. When they become debilitating, there are professionals who can help, like climate-aware therapists (see this Climate Psychology Alliance directory.) 

But let's face it, not everyone has access to mental health services in the same way, and while the following suggestions are by no means substitutes for professional help in times of distress,  they are options to find support – in community. Sometimes, all we need is a caring listener and a space where we can express our pain and our worries without being judged or pressured to “toughen up,” fix things, or take action. According to recent studies, the number of people who care deeply but feel isolated and don’t have anyone to talk about it with is overwhelming. The following options can help (online and free.)

Climate Cafés – These small group, safe and welcoming gatherings provide a structured, yet informal space for open, respectful, confidential discussions about emotional responses to the climate crisis. By fostering gentle, open dialogue away from all distractions and busyness, Climate Cafés help participants feel validated, grounded, and less alone. Inclusive and non-political, these meetings are led by trained (usually) facilitators, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity, if they wish, to discuss climate thoughts, feelings and emotions in a supportive environment, without feeling pressure to find solutions or take action. Note: While the Climate Psychology Alliance provides guidelines and training for how to run a Café, there is no regulation and there are many types and formats available around the world. Find one that works for you. I am honored to bring a Climate Café specifically for HSPs in Julie Bjelland’s Sensitive Empowerment Community and invite you to join me on Tue, August 27, at 9 am Pacific. You can also find my next public Climate Cafés dates here.

“We are the Great Turning” Podcast Clubs – That’s right, you can now join meaningful discussion groups without having to read an entire book. These podcast clubs are based on the work of Joanna Macy, a famous activist, environmentalist, Buddhist scholar and teacher known for the “Work that Reconnects” and her book “Active Hope.” The ”We Are the Great Turning” podcast series of 10 episodes launched in the spring of 2024. Each episode, a short conversation between Joanna Macy and her friend and activist Jessica Serrante, is supplemented by a short practice, i.e., a visualization, for a truly experiential and deeply meaningful journey. You can find a podcast club on the Climate Coaching Alliance website, or find all the material you need to launch your own on the We Are the Great Turning podcast page.

Book Circles – Of course book clubs are still wonderful opportunities to come together and offer a starting point for discussions around the complex and emotionally charged topic of climate change. For example, the Climate Coaching Alliance offers circles on the book, Ecological and Climate-Conscious Coaching - A Companion Guide to Evolving Coaching Practice. You don't need to be a coach to join the CCA or start a book club. They provide a facilitation guide and help promote them. You can also draw inspiration from this format and start a club around another book. For a suggested reading list on climate change click here.

The Week – As its name suggests this group experience runs over three sessions in one week and includes watching three movies before group discussions. You can join a session or host your own. 

The Climate Optimist Master Class – Twelve short, thought-provoking, and inspiring videos with homework to develop the mindsets that support climate optimism.

Think Resilience – This 22-video program by the Post-Carbon Institute has a more factual and practical focus. It breaks down the complex topic of climate change into distinct and more accessible topics, and offers an online forum to connect with others taking the course. 

Paid learning opportunities – If you want to take a deeper dive by joining a learning journey with a close-knit group, I highly recommend the following two courses. The first, because I am an alumni and can vouch for the depth and impact of the Climate Change Coaching Mastery program (get £150 off with my affiliate code AlexA150, starts October 22). The second, because I created it based on first-hand experience and teach it myself: From Climate Anxiety to Climate Resilience is a 12-week online course starting Sept 11 (also available as a self-paced course or a one-on-one coaching program). 

As many of us know from being members of Julie Bjelland’s Sensitive Empowerment Community, coming together with others and building a sense of community around meaningful conversations can have a major positive impact on our well-being. It can also dramatically boost our resilience and how well we cope with climate change. If a voice in your head is saying, “but this is nearly not enough,”  I invite you to read my recent blog post, Climate Change and Mental Health: Watch out for Stories of Scarcity.

As you can see there are many ways to find support. I hope that you will find one that works for you. Engaging in conversation is one of the most important steps we can take. You don't have to do this alone!

Meet our Guest Speaker

A member of the Climate Coaching Alliance, the Climate Psychology Alliance, and graduate from the Climate Change Coaches training program, Alex Arnold (she/her) is an ICF-accredited (ACC) personal development and climate resilience coach at Alma Coaching & Consulting. Alex draws from positive psychology, Appreciative Inquiry, and the positive intelligence framework to help her introverted, highly sensitive and empath clients who are overwhelmed by climate change and wish they could manage their stress, grief, anger, and sense of helplessness so that they can take manageable, meaningful, and sustainable steps that truly work for them. In her free time, Alex volunteers at a therapeutic horse farm and enjoys the beautiful and quiet outdoors in Vermont. almacoaching.org

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Founder of The HSP and Neurodivergent Blog

I’m Julie Bjelland, LMFT, a Licensed Psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment. I specialize in high sensitivity, neurodivergence, and the unique challenges faced by women with adult-discovered autism. My passion lies in developing tools that balance the sensitive nervous system, reduce challenges, and help individuals reach their fullest potential, allowing them to excel in their unique talents.

Through my work, I’ve created a global hub of extensive support that includes online courses, the Sensitive Empowerment Community—a nurturing sanctuary—a globally top-ranked podcast, insightful articles, free webinars, and more. My mission is to help create a world where differences are not only embraced but celebrated as strengths. I am proudly LGBTQIA+ and NeuroAffirming. Learn more at JulieBjelland.com.

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