Harnessing the Healing Power of Nature in Play and Expressive Therapy

Program Description:

Research has shown that there are emotional, physical, and mental health benefits of being outdoors and interacting with nature. Some benefits include regulating the nervous system, decreases in physical pain, and increasing positive emotions. This experiential workshop will explore ways to integrate nature into play therapy and the expressive arts through a variety of theoretical approaches.

Participants are asked to collect some nature items to have with them during the workshop. Suggestions of items include: leaves, feathers, shells, stones, rocks, acorns, pinecones, leaves, sticks, etc.

Objectives:

1. Examine the research regarding the positive effects of nature on mental and physical health.