Betsy Perluss ~ School of Lost Borders

“There is something about being in nature that is very similar to what the psychologist Carl Rogers talks about with unconditional regard, genuineness and empathy. When we step into the natural world there is no judgement, everything is unconditional. Nature mirrors us in every aspect that we are  - our joy and our stress.” - Betsy Perluss

In this interview Israh connects with therapist and facilitator Betsy Perluss. Betsy shares the riches of her experiences both inside and outside of the consulting room, as a marital and family psychotherapist, student, and wilderness rites of passage facilitator at The School of Lost Borders. 

Betsy tells the story of how she followed her curiosity to take psychotherapy out of the consulting room and into the world, recognising that there was a ‘missing link’ of nature connection underlying so many of the symptoms and behaviours she was witnessing in her inner city clients. She describes the resonances between the dreamwork and imagery that her clients bring to the therapy couch, and the powerful stories and experiences they bring back from a vision quest - the two weaving together into a tapestry of insight, healing, and transformation.

Together, Israh and Betsy discuss the characteristics and ritual aspects that define a rite of passage, how we can better prepare young people to enter into these experiences and support their integration of them afterwards, and how gender, culture and economic diversity shows up and is welcomed within rites of passage experiences. Finally they talk about how the work might become more inclusive, and the importance of recognising that the wilderness is not a culturally neutral space - holding different associations for different people.

“What the work does is - it doesn't make us into people without  problems, issues or symptoms - it broadens our consciousness to see there is something bigger at work than what we could achieve on our own.” - Betsy Perluss

Betsy Perluss is a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFT 32191), professional clinical counselor (LPCC 766) and credentialed school counselor. Most of her adult life has been dedicated to helping children and adults evolve into the healthy and whole beings they are born to be. She has worked in public schools, agencies, and private practice settings integrating a diversity of therapies including depth psychotherapy, family systems, and expressive art therapy. She is currently a candidate in the analytic training program at the C.G. Jung Institute of Colorado.

Betsy’s love for wild nature, combined with an interest in philosophy and a fascination for the inner life of dreams, led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her dissertation, “Landscape Archetypes” (2004), reveals that natural landscapes are the bedrock of the archetypal motifs that enter our dreams and inform our lives, that there is no separation between psyche and nature, and that healing is simultaneously a personal and planetary endeavor.

Since 2008, Betsy has been teaching ecopsychology courses at Pacifica Graduate Institute, currently  in the Somatics Studies Specialization and Integrative Therapy and Healing Practices Specialization. In 1998, her quest led her to the School of Lost Borders, first as a participant, and eventually as staff, guide, and trainer. Betsy’s involvement with Lost Borders is the centerpiece of her life’s work, allowing her to immerse herself in the wild realm of psyche and nature where she is continually impressed by the healing potential of this unpretentious nature-centered model.