Joe Harkness

A new edition of Joe Harkness' inspiring memoir about birds, mental health and finding meaning in nature. When Joe Harkness suffered a breakdown in 2013, he followed his doctor’s advice: medication helped, counselling reframed his thinking and mindfulness softened the noise inside his head. But it was birds – and the simple, absorbing act of watching them – that grounded him most deeply and helped him begin to accept who he was. As birdwatching became a daily practice, Joe found calm, focus and meaning in the rhythms of the natural world. What began as a quiet form of personal therapy soon grew into something larger: a way of understanding himself, his anxieties and his place in the world. First published in 2018, Bird Therapy struck a chord with readers navigating their own mental health journeys. In this revised edition, Joe revisits the book several years on, reflecting on fatherhood, identity and an ADHD diagnosis that has reshaped how he understands his mind. With fresh insight, he explores how birdwatching has remained not a cure, but a vital companion – a way of regulating, reconnecting and going back to basics in an increasingly noisy world. Combining memoir, nature writing and practical reflection, this new edition of Bird Therapy invites readers to slow down, look up and rediscover the quiet, restorative power of noticing the life around them.

A BBC WILDLIFE BEST BOOK OF 2025 Exploring the connections between nature, neurodiversity and the conservation world Why are so many neurodivergent people drawn to the natural world – and what does that tell us about how we live and work? After receiving an ADHD diagnosis in his thirties, Joe Harkness set out to better understand his lifelong bond with nature. In doing so, he began a wider investigation, speaking to neurodivergent people across conservation, ecology and other nature-based roles. Threading these conversations with his own experience, Joe explores the skills, perspectives and passions that neurodivergent people bring to the sector, alongside the barriers they still face. From fieldwork to policy, from grassroots projects to major organisations, their stories reveal how different ways of thinking shape our relationship with the natural world. At once personal and wide-ranging, Neurodivergent, by Nature offers a fresh perspective on biodiversity, inclusion and what more supportive environments – in nature and beyond – might look like.

Joe Harkness, author of the acclaimed Bird Therapy, investigates the connections between nature and neurodiversityTime in nature supports our wellbeing. For people who are neurodivergent, it can also stimulate our senses, feed our curiosity and help us find others with the same deep interests. But why do natural environments have such profound effects? If children with autism, ADHD and other neurodivergences spend more time outdoors, could it improve their educational experiences and outcomes? And if they nurture nature connections into adulthood, could this form the roots of their identities? After receiving an ADHD diagnosis in his thirties, Joe began to question whether his bond with nature was intrinsic to his neurodivergence or something developed through his life choices. Keen to know more, he connected with other neurodivergent people who share his passion for nature. Threading their stories with his own, Joe explores why they chose to seek diagnosis, the ways they find solace and understanding through nature, and what led many of them into nature-related careers. He describes the barriers they face in education and employment and the adjustments that can ensure they thrive in a world designed for neurotypical brains. With honesty and humour, Joe highlights the creativity, skills and passion that can benefit communities, schools and workplaces when neurodiversity is welcomed and supported in all its forms.

Inside/Outside is a unique educational resource for those working with young people of secondary school age, providing a variety of tried-and-tested indoor and outdoor lessons and activities to promote and embed emotional literacy. The book is divided into three accessible sections: emotions and feelings; self and situation; and mental health and wellbeing; which each cover a variety of themes, from anxiety and depression, to happiness, communication, and confidence. For each theme, ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ activities are offered, with inside activities inspiring students to self-reflect and develop empathy for others, and those outside drawing heavily on nature and learning outside the classroom. The ‘outside’ activities are adaptable and have been designed to work in any available outdoor space, and all activities can be used either in standalone lessons or sequentially, with introductory tasks, group activities, and circle time discussions. With a focus on equipping students with meaningful and tangible skills to support them in the recognition, identification, and expression of their emotions, Inside/Outside will be a valuable resource for teachers, youth workers, home-educators and anyone else looking to facilitate nature connection and introspection in children aged eleven to sixteen.

Inside/Outside is a unique educational resource for those working with young people of secondary school age, providing a variety of tried-and-tested indoor and outdoor lessons and activities to promote and embed emotional literacy. The book is divided into three accessible sections: emotions and feelings; self and situation; and mental health and wellbeing; which each cover a variety of themes, from anxiety and depression, to happiness, communication, and confidence. For each theme, ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ activities are offered, with inside activities inspiring students to self-reflect and develop empathy for others, and those outside drawing heavily on nature and learning outside the classroom. The ‘outside’ activities are adaptable and have been designed to work in any available outdoor space, and all activities can be used either in standalone lessons or sequentially, with introductory tasks, group activities, and circle time discussions. With a focus on equipping students with meaningful and tangible skills to support them in the recognition, identification, and expression of their emotions, Inside/Outside will be a valuable resource for teachers, youth workers, home-educators and anyone else looking to facilitate nature connection and introspection in children aged eleven to sixteen.

Longlisted for the 2020 Wainwright Prize'I can't remember the last book I read that I could say with absolute assurance would save lives. But this one will' Chris Packham'Fabulously direct and truthful, filled with energy but devoid of self-pity . . . I was impressed and enchanted. Highly recommended' Stephen Fry'Succeeds – triumphantly – in articulating with great honesty what it is like to suffer with a mental illness, and in providing strategies for coping' Mail on SundayWhen Joe Harkness suffered a breakdown in 2013, he tried all the things his doctor recommended: medication helped, counselling was enlightening, and mindfulness grounded him. But nothing came close to nature, particularly birds. How had he never noticed such beauty before? Soon, every avian encounter took him one step closer to accepting who he is. The positive change in Joe's wellbeing was so profound that he started a blog to record his experience. Three years later he has become a spokesperson for the benefits of birdwatching, spreading the word everywhere from Radio 4 to Downing Street. In this groundbreaking book filled with practical advice, Joe explains the impact that birdwatching had on his life, and invites the reader to discover these extraordinary effects for themselves.