https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/P_MCLENVPSThis course provides an advanced overview of clinical environmental psychology, a newly emerging and rapidly expanding field that focuses on how people’s mental health and well-being is influenced by their physical surroundings. Students will acquire knowledge of and insight into theories in the field and they will learn about the main research methods in this domain. Students will also learn how to apply insights from clinical environmental psychology to address clinical-psychological problems and they will develop a research proposal to study this relationship. During the course, students will further practice their oral and written presentation skills to communicate effectively with both the scientific community and practicing clinical psychologists.The physical environment continually shapes how people think, feel, and act. Consequently, the quality of people’s environment (or lack thereof) contributes to the onset of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and mental fatigue. Moreover, there is a growing awareness among mental health professionals that improving the quality of the environment can play a key role in treating mental disorders and improving mental health. For instance, so-called restorative environments are increasingly being used as an important and integral component of many psychotherapies, such as mental coaching during nature walks. In this course, we will start by introducing the main theories and recent empirical findings in the emerging field of clinical environmental psychology. Next, we will relate these insights to both the development and treatment of mental health problems. We will conclude by exploring clinical applications of environmental psychology research, covering topics such as healthcare design, restorative environments, and nature-based therapeutic interventions.lectures, workshopsMethods of assessment Assignment 1 (group assignment: Vlog: 40%); Assignment 2 (group assignment: Discussion about Vlog: 10%): Assignment 3 (individual assignment: Research proposal: 40%); Assignment 4: (individual assignment: Presentation research proposal: 10%).To be announced.Research master studentsThis course is taught every two years. It is taught in 2025-2026, but will not be taught in 2026-2027. Students who followed the course last year and did not successfully completed the course, can contact the course coordinator if they still want to do so.