The Healing Forest in Post-Crisis Work with Children: A Nature Therapy and Expressive Arts Program for Groups

Nature Therapy is an innovative approach based on the direct and creative dialogues humans have with nature. For the first time in the English language, this book presents the theory behind the approach along with detailed guidelines for using it with children who have experienced stress or trauma. The authors explain how nature-based activities ranging from tree planting to making feeding stations for birds can be used therapeutically in conjunction with storytelling and other expressive arts therapies with children who have experienced large-scale crises such as wars, terrorism and natural or man-made disasters, as well as more common causes of stress such as the divorce of parents, moving home, the illness of a loved one and bullying. A 12-session programme designed to strengthen coping and resilience is then described, and the authors explain how it can be used in the prevention and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. The book also includes an evocative colour storybook for use within this programme. The original, evidence-based approach described in this book will be of interest to all those working therapeutically or creatively with children who have experienced stress or trauma, including arts therapists, teachers, psychologists and counsellors.