Leslie Davenport

Psychotherapist

Leslie Davenport is a licensed psychotherapist who brings innovative climate solutions to the halls of academia and to the streets. She is the author of three books, including Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change, and was a reviewer for APA’s “Mental Health and our Changing Climate.” Davenport is a founding member of the Institute for Health & Healing at California Pacific Medical Center, and her 25 years of developing an integrative, collaborative healing model has informed her approach to climate justice. She has served on Red Cross Disaster Mental Health teams, and the 350.org Marin Clean Energy Campaign. This year, Davenport is teaching a climate psychology module on faculty at the California Institute of Integral Studies and as a CE program for therapists at JFK University.

Resilience

psychology

Mindfulness

climate denial

Climate One Appearances

Past event

Mind Over Chatter: Exploring Climate Psychology

Human psychology is one of the biggest obstacles to greater understanding and action on climate. Perhaps the climate issue is too closely associated with the faces of polar bears rather than humans when climate is a profoundly human story. It touches on our deepest fears and desires whether we recognize it or suppress it. Research and practice in psychology is advancing guidance on how to understand and talk about climate change, and how not to talk about it. A hint – getting angry and trying to change people’s minds is not the answer. The keys are genuine listening and empathy.