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

About the Book

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.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements. Part I: Background and Theory. 1. "A Safe Place". Introduction. "A Safe Place" - Historical Background. The Research Proves: Widely Acclaimed Success. 2. Post-Trauma and the Traumatic Experience: Definitions, Differences and Methods of Coping. Post-trauma and the Traumatic Experience. The Diagnostic Criteria of Post-Trauma. Expected Reactions After Trauma and Extended Pressure States. The Severity and Uniqueness of the Traumatic Reaction. Trauma as a Social-Communal Phenomenon. Psychological Treatment of PTSD. 3. Resilience and Coping Resources. What is Resilience? Do Modern Life and Educational Systems Limit Resilience? The Development of Resilience in Children. Fantastic Reality. The Healing Metaphor. The Importance of Play in Children's Recovery. 4. Nature Therapy: Theoretical and Practical Framework. The Historical Context of Nature Therapy: Why Now? Nature Therapy: An Applied Theoretical Framework. Selected Theoretical Terms. Nature as a Therapeutic Environment. The Therapeutic Triangle: Client-Therapist-Nature. Choosing the Space. Rituals, Rituals and More Rituals. Four Applied Models. Challenge in Nature. Art in Nature. A Home in Nature. Nature Conservation Therapy. 5. The Protocol - A Practical Guide. Before Starting: Introducing and Launching the Journey. General Information. Suggested Contract. 6. The Sessions. Session 1: Trees Also Have a Safe Place. Session 2: Finding a Safe Place and Becoming Guardians of the Forest. Session 3: Choosing a Safe Place in Nature. Session 4: Building a Safe Place (A Home in Nature). Session 6: The "Big Bash" - Campsite Cooking. Session 7: Treasure Hunt. Session 8: Making Flags and Preparing to March. Session 9: Hosting Another Class in the "Safe Space". Session 10: Helping Nature - Preparing for "Graduation". Session 11: Closure (Planting, Feeding Stations, Nature Corner). Session 12: Farewell to the Space in Nature and to the Group Leader. 7. Adaptations and Further Activities. Recommendations for Continuing Activities after the Program. More Tree Activities. Activities (Exercises in the Spirit of Far Eastern Martial Arts). Rainy Day Activities. Adapting the Programme to Kindergartens. Appendices. Appendix 1: Guidelines for Preparing Feeding Stations (Sessions 10-11). Appendix 2: Preparing a Peanut Role. Appendix 3: Other Types of Feeding Stations. Bibliography. References. Index.

About the Author :
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.

Review :
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. 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. 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. 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! 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.