Abstract

Nature Therapy is an innovative approach for working with children who have experienced stress or trauma. For the first time in the English language, this book presents the theory behind the approach along with detailed guidelines for introducing it to the classroom and other group settings

The flexible 12-session programme pairs nature-based activities with storytelling and other expressive arts approaches. It is designed to strengthen coping and resilience in children who have been through common causes of stress such as the divorce of parents, moving home, the illness of a loved one or bullying. It can also be used in the aftermath of large-scale crises such as war, terrorism and natural disasters to prevent and treat post-traumatic stress disorder. An evocative colour storybook, 'The Guardians of the Forest', is also included for use within the 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 teachers, arts therapists, psychologists and counsellors.

Nature therapy is an innovative approach that has been shown to help children who have experience a variety of difficulties including violence, death, parental divorce and natural disaster... It is intended for children between 5 and 10 years old, however it could be adapted for younger children, adolescents and adults... The text is presented in a clear and accessible manner and offers a very detailed nature therapy program. The program may be of interest to therapists, counsellors and teachers who are interested in the theory behind nature therapy and integrating the program within their setting.
Play for Life
As someone who views art-making as a force of Nature and the arts therapies as a contemporary manifestation of ancient shamanic practices, I welcome The Healing Forest in Post-Crisis Work with Children with enthusiasm. It will help heal people and the world too.
Shaun McNiff, University Professor, Lesley University, and author of Art Heals and Art as Medicine
The Healing Forest in Post-Crisis Work with Children is an important book in the development of educational and therapeutic work with children and nature. Clearly written with a strong rationale and plenty of practical ideas, is accessible and attractive. I would like it to be sent to Ministers of Education in as many countries as possible!
Professor Sue Jennings, 'The Healing Tree', Stratford-upon-Avon
This book is an invaluable resource for educators and clinicians who work with children under duress. It provides an artful synthesis of trauma theory and nature therapy applications for use with children in classroom and natural environments. Hands-on tools and exercises offer a practical guide for facilitators to create "safe spaces" for children.
Vivien Marcow Speiser PhD, BC-DMT, LMHC, NCC, REAT, Professor and Director, The Institute for Arts and Health and National, International and Collaborative Programs, The Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences, Lesley University
The Healing Forest in Post-Crisis Work with Children combines theory, practice and research in an accessible and highly readable manner. It is essential reading for anyone looking for new ideas about how to work in a creative, gentle way with children who have experienced trauma. I also warmly recommend this book to any counsellor or psychotherapist who is interested in the potential of using the outdoor environment as part of the therapeutic process.
John McLeod, Emeritus Professor of Counselling, University of Abertay, Scotland and Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
Dr Ronen Berger is the founder of Nature Therapy, Head of the Nature Therapy program at Tel Aviv University, Israel, and Head of the MA Drama Therapy program at the College for Arts and Social, Israel. Professor Mooli Lahad is a senior medical psychologist and a renowned expert on trauma recovery and resilience for the individual, group and community. He is Founder and President of the Community Stress Prevention Center in North Israel, Professor of Psychology and Drama Therapy and the head of the MA in Dramatherapy at Tel Hai College, Israel. He is the author or co-author of 32 books, including The "BASIC PH" Model of Coping and Resiliency and Creative Supervision, both published by JKP.