Nature Based Therapy

Introduction record ground therapy is not a new concept, our well up up being and acquaintance with temperament is business office of the never-ending humane quest of who were ar and rewardable where is our place in this vast environs which surrounds us. In target to divulge grasp the topic of reputation ground therapy or ecotherapy, studies consulted were those pertaining to our connection with character and our wellbeing. Just how does nature connector affect our experiencing of a good disembodied spirit is the display case of the first idea reviewed, by Howell, J. A. , Dopko, R. L. , Passmore, H. , Buro, K. (2011).The second paper by Jordan & Marsh all told (2010) runs a the changes to the traditional therapy frame in a the uncertain environment of the go forthdoors. In taking therapy out of doors, we lay d take with nature as wizard of the variables in the alterative transactionhip. The integrative, often experiential approach of nature- based ther apy or ecotherapy, is gaining rapid ground in the field of view of centering and psychotherapy. My last(a) research paper aims at looking further into this growing field and how it can help those suffering from anxiety, burnout and depression. bind Review A Howell, J. A. , Dopko,R. L. Passmore, H. , Buro, K. (2011). spirit nexus Associations with well- being and mindfulness. Personality and Individual Differences, 51 (2), 166-171. Howell, Dopko, Passmore and Buro (2011) delve deeply into the question of our connexion with nature and how it can be measured as a reflection of our amiable well- being. The authors, all from the Grant MacEwen University in Edmonton Alberta conducted deuce empirical studies evidencing this association with data demonstrating that connection to nature may be more beneficial to our emotional and amicable well- being that previously realized.Drawing from the Biophilia conjecture argued by Harvard evolutionary biologist E. O Wilson in 1984, that hum an beings occupy an instinctive, emotional and genetic need to be in contact with nature, Howell et al. , thereof hypothesize that higher levels of nature connectedness would be associated with higher levels of eudaemonia and with greater mindfulness. Many studies have been conducted on the subject with discordant results. Howell et al. , describe a study conducted by Mayer and Franz in 2004 which showed a significant correlativity amid trait nature connectedness and life satisfaction (p. 66). They ar c arful to define the word trait and stand a seemingly through review of the qualitative variables in current literature, discussing the changes in commentary of well- being by various theorists (Nisbert, Zelenski and Murphy, 2011). The team from Alberta builds upon current research by probing further into the question of the whether trait nature connectedness was associated with look well and with functioning well as well as the relations among nature connectedness and a second index of positive mental health, mindfulness (p. 67). Howell et al. , review a large amount of research, define speech and uncover new holes in the theories, they then go on to frustrate the hypotheses are higher levels of nature connectedness associated both with higher levels of well being and with greater mindfulness? methodological analysis Howell et al. , conducted dickens studies exploitation decimal methods. In the first study, data was collected from 452 university students, primarily female, with 81. 1% identifying Canada as their country of birth (p. 167).Using a variety of questionnaires including Mayer and Franz (2004) 14- item Connectedness to spirit Scale, Keyes (2005) 40- item, measure of well being and Br let Ryans (2003) Mindful Attention sentiency Scale (MASS). In set up to ensure objectivity of results, Howell et al. , balanced these scales by using Paulhuss (1994) Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding which serves to filter out unintentiona lly inflated self-descriptions and impression management (p 168). In the second study 275 students participated, all students of similar age and demographic as thefirst study.Howell et al. , utilize a hardly a(prenominal) of the same questionnaires adding the Allo-Inclusive Identity Scale (Leary, Tipsord Tate, 2008) as well as the Philadelphia mindfulness Scale (PMS) (Cardaciotto, Herbert, Forman, Moitra, Farrow, 2008). In an attempt to provide consistency and validity to the results, Howell et al. , provide succinct definitions and examples for some of the questions on these scales in order that the reader purify understand the subtle differences in the descriptive statistics of the variables.Results Variables such as connectedness to nature, nature relatedness, allo inclusive identity, emotional well being, psychological well being, social well being, MAAS, PMS awareness and PMS acceptance showed correlations between nature connectedness and well being. Descriptive statistics were measured and then correlated among variables using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Howell et al. , also provided models with hypothesized correlations between nature connectedness, well -being and mindfulness.In the first study associations between nature connectedness and well- being and between well- being and mindfulness were significant however, the association between nature connectedness and mindfulness was not (p. 168). In the second study , correlations were significant with respect to psychological and social and emotional well being and with the added test tons added to the soup, nature connectedness was found to be significantly correlated to mindfulness. tidings Howell et al. are satisfied with their consistent findings and that most results of their two studies support their dead reckoning and suggest that nature connectedness is associated with the extent to which people are golden in their private, personal lives (p. 170). Howell et al. do admit that so me of the findings were inconsistent with their possibleness and that future research could examine moderators and mediators of the relationship between nature connectedness and mental health (p. 170).They go onto discuss future research possibilities and challenges, including how nature could be incorporated into other activities to produce maximum healing(predicate) results. Howell et al. , produced win over research into the relationship between connectedness to nature and well being. They took into sum up multiple scales of affect in order to collect their results and carefully depict their differences and their impact on the closing results. I tone of voice their downfall is in their sample size and demographic and suspect results may be incompatible depending on age and culture.Perhaps new rating scales would need to be positive in order to reflect these differences. Essentially, nature can benefit us all and regardless of the outcome being present at heart a vivid environment will help you learn to have sex the flake and perhaps even a renewed vitality in life. Article Review B Jordan, M. , marshal, H. , (2010). Taking counselling and psychotherapy outside expiry or enrichment of the healthful frame? European Journal of Psychotherapy and Counselling, 12 (4), 345-359We all know that nature can help us feel better, but just how can we take a traditional remedy frame outdoors? What would be the challenges and what is the potential of this upcoming field of ecotherapy? Ecotherapy represents a new form of psychotherapy that acknowledges the vital role of nature and addresses the human nature relationship (p. 354) Martin Jordan and Hayley marshal use relational therapy concepts in order to investigate interdependency and unbalance and how they may be experienced other than in the great outdoors.Both Jordan marshal are practicing registered psychotherapists and by using their own experiences, they explore both the successes and challenges to the traditional framework of a healing(p) session. Jordan Marshall address many fundamental questions including how confidentiality would be addressed in macrocosm settings and how timing or the curative session is affected by practicing counselling and psychotherapy outside. They see that the challenges to the traditional framework could be sorted out between client and therapist and in fact become part of the process .A flexible contract could be drawn up, one unresolved to change. Jordan Marshall are careful to provide several definitions of a therapeutic frame, from eh uber- conservative Psychotherapy should be carried out in a soundproof consulting room, in a private office in a skipper building (Langs 1982), to being seen as a transgression or a dual relationship for the therapist (Zur 2001). But there are others who believe that the therapeutic boundary should be a dynamic process (Hermansson, 1997) or that the flexibility in the frame is an opportunity for deepening the therapeutic work and relationship (Bridges, 1999).Jordan Marshall seem to be covering all bases with their own summary of a therapeutic boundaries, Working outdoors can honk new light on these traditionally more fixed ideas concerning boundaries and take an increasingly flexible perspective on issues concerning power and mutuality within the therapeutic relationship (p. 347). They examine the changes in client therapist relationships and how mutuality must not be equated with equality in impairment of the therapeutic relationship. Jordan Marshall are not prescribing a recipe for therapy outdoors nor are they saying therapy is better outdoors.Their goal with this paper is to present their experiential findings and observations regarding the challenges various forms of outdoor therapy impart on the traditional therapeutic frame as well as on the relationship between therapist and client. Methodology The qualitative method devised to learn more about the impacts of taking the therapeutic frame outdoors was simple. Jordan Marshall began to hold sessions outdoors with their existing clients. They used two types of interactions outdoors 1. taking the traditional therapeutic frame of one hour into nearby nature and 2. aking clients on excursions where the frame is extended to over a weekend or more. Relational theory concepts were used in order to better understand how the traditional frame of psychotherapy elements such as confidentiality and timing of therapeutic work, weather, containment and power dynamics (p. 347), would be challenged by uncertain natural environment. The variables of mutuality and asymmetry were also studied in terms of the expanding boundaries in the client therapist relationship. One matter study (in two parts) is presented in order to better grasp the challenges and potential of nature based therapy.Results Jordan Marshall found many potential challenges in taking the therapeutic frame outdoors. In particular, they found tha t the boundaries between client and therapist, could become challenged. The outdoors provided a neutral environment which fostered mutuality but maintaining some asymmetry in the relationship could be difficult. In taking this frame outdoors, Jordan Marshall also found that the structure of the frame itself may need to be reshaped and become more flexible perhaps the frame becomes an open process, rather than an ultimate set of rules.They also found that sometimes the unpredictability of the environment created more anxiety, both in the client and the therapist and that the establishment of a therapeutic container or the building of a home in nature (Berger, 2006) was booming in overcoming some of these obstacles. Discussion The purpose of Jordan Marshalls paper was to provide discipline on the potential and challenges of taking traditional therapy practice outdoors. Jordan & Marshall consulted a vast reference list including one of the founders of nature- based therapy, Ron en Berger and this provided provoke insight into this emerging field.At times the paper felt disorganized and the case presentation split in two halves was confusing. Results were scattered throughout the paper and the methodology was vague and seemingly structureless. Nevertheless, Jordan & Marshall got to the gist of the subject and were honest with their results, reporting their own struggles with mutuality and asymmetry when taking clients outside of the traditional hour long frame both clients and therapists can experience a blurring of the boundaries between what is therapy and what is social space (p357).Jordan & Marshall did not however, provide much data as to how many clients they had seen and under what circumstances. Their observations are keen and easily related to when thinking about the traditional therapeutic frame, nevertheless a concrete chart or model, using the relational as well as other theories or approaches, would have been experience and interesting. ConclusionOverall I found both these articles fascinating and extremely pertinent to my final research paper. Simply being present within a natural environment can help us feel better. Perhaps when taking therapy outdoors and as nature becomes a dynamic third in the therapeutic relationship, the traditional frame will come alive with an emergent creativity and mindfulness nudging us all towards our own true nature.