It is easy to shy away from tough conversations about the state of our world. Leaning into defenses – like resisting the conversation – can feel like the most comfortable option, but these discussions are vital in healing our planet. A lack of security within ourselves trickles into our relationships and limits the ways we can make collective change. Dr. Ann Kelley and Dr. Anna Graybeal discuss the necessary steps to building security and embracing tough conversations within our communities. This conversation takes a scientific and therapy-based approach to guide us toward the big emotions around these topics and equips us with the tools to cope with uncertainties, and an opportunity to learn how to harness healthy discussions around the climate crisis. When we can address the resistance within ourselves, we can use that as fuel to unite and heal our planet, our well-being, and our relationships.

3:02 – Graybeal’s personal journey exploring climate crisis

7:51 – Participating in Citizens’ Climate Lobby

10:58 – Facing the awareness in our own activism

12:00 – Validating the resistance within ourselves

14:43 – Joining in the resistance

19:36 – Professor Katharine Hayhoe’s perspective

26:53 – Helping clients process climate crisis emotions in group therapy

31:09 – Climate conversation training group for therapists

33:58 – Introduction to the Good Grief network

35:44 – The challenge of making change as a collective

38:17 – Explanation of “greenwashing”

Citizens’ Climate Lobby – Nonprofit Advocate Group

IPCC Report: Climate Change and Land – Special Report

Climate Psychology Alliance – Climate Directory

Good Grief Network – Non-Profit Advocate Group

The Work that Reconnects – Resource Network

All We Can Save Circles – Discussion Groups

CA Institute of Integral Studies Climate Psychology Certificate Program – Application & Information

Katharine Hayhoe –  Climate Scientist Website

Katharine Hayhoe – Ted Talk – “The Most Important Thing You Can Do to Fight Climate Change”

Tradewater – Calculate your emissions

Anna Graybeal is a Clinical Psychologist and Certified Group Therapist in private practice in Austin, Texas. She is also a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. In 2012, she co-founded the Austin chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a volunteer-based organization working on climate change. Anna can be reached at [email protected]. Her website is www. annagraybeal.com.