The Draw of the Wild: How to Easily Integrate Nature into Clinical Practice

Authors

Jason T. Duffy, SUNY OswegoFollow

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Nature, Creative Counseling Approaches, Human Development, Eco-therapy, Eco-counseling

Subject Area

Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling

Abstract

For thousands of years many societies and people have intuitively recognized the wellness-enhancing power of the natural world as well as its ability to assist people in the construction of a sense of purpose and meaning. More recently, research emanating from the field of ecotherapy as well as other fields has begun to build empirical support for the efficacy of the natural world in promoting mental and physical health. This conceptual manuscript provides the rationale for integrating nature into clinical practice and describes flexible, concise, and easy ways for counselors to utilize ecotherapy in their work with clients, including, ironically, with the use of technology. A case example is provided to illustrate the utility of this approach.

Recommended Citation

Duffy, J. T. (2022). The Draw of the Wild: How to Easily Integrate Nature into Clinical Practice. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 15(2). Retrieved from https://research.library.kutztown.edu/jcps/vol15/iss2/27