Media and Interviews
I write and speak about ecopsychology and climate psychology including topics such as eco-anxiety, nature connection, emotional well-being, and how people respond psychologically to uncertainty and environmental change and nature. I am available for journalistic interviews, expert commentary, public talks, podcasts, and collaborations on topics related to ecopsychology and ecotherapy, climate psychology and mental health.
My work aims to translate psychological research into accessible, evidence-informed resources for the wider public. I have contributed commentary, interviews and written publications for diverse media including Psyche, La Repubblica, Radio Popolare, Climalteranti, and Italian Climate Network.
Contact me here.
Interviews and Podcasts
Intervista | Vanity Fair Italia | 21 July 2026
Controllare il meteo è un comportamento comprensibile: in un’epoca di eventi climatici estremi cerchiamo informazioni per proteggerci e prepararci. Il problema nasce quando il controllo diventa ripetitivo e non serve più a prendere decisioni, ma a cercare una rassicurazione momentanea che poi svanisce e rinforza un ciclo di allarme e ricerca di rassicurazioni.
“Dr. Lucia Tecuta: Does climate anxiety cause disordered eating?”
Podcast | Climate Magic | 13 July 2026
In this interview I discuss with Sarah Jacquette Ray, what happens when eating sustainably mixes with the toxic cocktail of body image, thin culture, personal trauma, and that ever-present message that we are never enough? Can climate anxiety cause eating disorders? How does your desire to reduce impact on the planet by eating locally, avoiding meat, or eating “clean” slip into disordered eating? What happens when the environmental action of eating sustainably mixes with the toxic cocktail of body image, thin culture, personal trauma, and that ever-present message that we are just never enough? How can environmentalist messages of restraint, deprivation, asceticism, guilt, moral superiority, purity, anti-consumerism, and the deep shame of being a human on this earth lead to rigid rules about avoiding certain foods, body dysmorphia, and even “orthorexia nervosa”?
“Climate Therapy in Italy with Camilla Gamba and Lucia Tecuta”
Podcast | Climate Change and Happiness | 6 giugno 2025
Together with Camilla Gamba, I joined Thomas Doherty and Panu Pihkala as guests on their podcast where they bring therapists and researchers into dialogue around climate psychology and eco-therapy. We shared our cosmopolitan journeys, our bicultural backgrounds between Italy and the United States, and the challenges and opportunities of translating concepts such as environmental identity and stewardship into the rich Italian cultural and historical context. The discussion moved between activism and il dolce far niente, offering an inspiring reflection on how care for the planet and care for the self can coexist.
Intervista per"Il Giusto Clima"con Marianna Usuelli di Radio Popolare
Radio | 26 marzo 2025
L’intervista radiofonica ha preso spunto dal Manuale di Psicologia Climatica della Climate Psychology Alliance, che ho tradotto insieme a Camilla Gamba e Paola Sabatini. Nel corso della conversazione abbiamo esplorato il legame tra salute mentale e cambiamento climatico, affrontando temi come la negazione della crisi climatica, il distanziamento psicologico e le diverse modalità con cui le persone elaborano informazioni e emozioni legate all’emergenza ambientale.
Podcast | Food and Policies ONFOODS Podcast | 1 ottobre 2024
In the fourth episode of Food and Policies, Maria Elide Vanutelli (University of Milano-Bicocca) interviewed Lucia Tecuta (University of Bologna), a researcher involved in the EATeam Laboratory project (Project "Psychology of food choices: challenges for healthy dietary behavior in general and clinical populations" - PSYFOOD) of OnFoods.
In this episode, Lucia shared insights into the specific project she is working on, which investigates the role of eco-anxiety and concerns about climate change in adopting healthy and sustainable food behaviors, as well as their potential role as risk factors for eating disorders.Studies on eco-anxiety and pro-environmental behaviors are an emerging area in psychology with important implications for promoting sustainability.
Selected Writings for Wider Public
on Climate Psychology and Ecopsychology
“How to Defuse Catastrophic Thoughts” — Psyche
A practical guide to understanding and interrupting catastrophic thinking. The article explores why our minds tend to jump to worst-case scenarios and offers evidence-based strategies for responding to these thoughts with greater perspective.
“How to Cope with Climate Anxiety” — Psyche
An exploration of climate anxiety and the psychological challenges of living with awareness of the climate crisis. The article discusses ways of relating to fear and uncertainty without becoming overwhelmed, while preserving the capacity to act.
“Non solo eco-ansia, c’è anche l’eco-rabbia” — La Repubblica
An exploration of eco-rage—the anger, frustration, and sense of injustice that can arise in response to the climate crisis. The article looks at how this often-overlooked emotional response can be understood and, when channelled constructively, become a source of motivation.
“Il manuale di psicologia climatica” — Climalteranti
An introduction to the emerging field of climate psychology and the emotional responses associated with environmental change. The article examines concepts including climate anxiety, grief, anger, and hope, and considers how psychology can help us navigate the climate crisis.
“Eco-ansia: una piccola guida per non farsi paralizzare dalla paura” — Italian Climate Network
A practical introduction to eco-anxiety and the ways climate-related fear can affect our thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. The article offers a psychological framework for understanding these responses and finding ways to remain engaged without becoming paralyzed.
“Eco-ansia: Il sottile confine tra motivazione e paralisi” — Climalteranti
An exploration of the fine line between climate anxiety as a motivating force and anxiety that becomes overwhelming. The article examines when concern about the climate can encourage meaningful action—and when it can instead lead to avoidance, helplessness, or paralysis.