PATHWAYS PROFILE
Reclaiming Our Deepest Roots: An Introduction to Nature Informed Therapy
EHQH¿WVIRUIRVWHULQJFRQ¿GHQFHWHDPZRUNDQGH[SHULHQWLDOJURZWK 1DWXUH ,QIRUPHG 7KHUDS\ KRZHYHU IRFXVHV SULPDULO\ RQ UHVWRU - LQJDUHODWLRQDOERQGZLWKQDWXUH,WFDQLQFRUSRUDWHFHUWDLQHOHPHQWV from adventure or wilderness therapy—indeed, our programs some- times use rock climbing to help clients work through fear or hold backpacking retreats that tap into the somatic power of movement for SURFHVVLQJWUDXPDDQGJULHI%XWRQHGRHVQRWQHHGWRVFDOHDFOL̆ RU WUHNLQWRWKHEDFNFRXQWU\WRH[SHULHQFH1,7:HWHDFKSUDFWLWLRQHUV and participants to draw nature into the counseling process in myriad ZD\V IURPEULQJLQJSODQWVQDWXUDOVRXQGVRUVPDOORXWGRRUULWXDOV
BY HEIDI SCHREIBER-PAN, PHD, LCPC
,¶OOQHYHUIRUJHWWUHNNLQJWKURXJKWKH'RORPLWHVLQWKH,WDOLDQ$OSV RQH$XJXVW0\IDPLO\DQG,VWDUWHGHDUO\LQWKHPRUQLQJWKHYDOOH\ EHORZEDVNHGLQZDUPVXQVKLQHDQGDJHQWOHEUHH]H:HZHUHFRQ - ¿GHQW LQYLJRUDWHG E\ WKH EULJKW GD\ <HW DV VRRQ DV ZH EHJDQ RXU ascent, the weather shifted rapidly — clouds gathered, rain turned to hail, and eventually it started snowing heavily. By the time we reached the mountain hut near the top, we could barely see the person walk- ing right in front of us, let alone the breathtaking vista we knew was out there somewhere, lost in the swirling mist.
LQWRDWUDGLWLRQDOṘ FHVHWWLQJWRJHQWOH “walk-and-talk” sessions along a local trail. The key is fostering a deep, authen- tic relationship with the earth, so clients not only heal but also rediscover their own resilience within the greater ecosys- tem we all share. Moving Beyond Talk and Into the Body One of the core principles of Nature ,QIRUPHG 7KHUDS\ LV HPERGLHG H[SH - rience— healing that transcends intel- lectual analysis and roots itself in the wisdom of the body. Conventional talk therapy can, at times, remain in the realm of the mind, focusing on cogni- tive reframing or verbal exploration of emotions. While these approaches have HQRUPRXV YDOXH PDQ\ LQGLYLGXDOV ¿QG themselves still feeling stuck or discon- nected. ,Q D 1,7 VHVVLRQ WKH HQYLURQPHQW becomes an active co-therapist. For in- stance, you might sit with a client in a quiet clearing, encouraging them to no- tice the rustle of leaves overhead or the
The next day, the skies cleared. After a short hike further up the trail, the pan- orama exploded into view — peak after jagged peak, shimmering in the early VXQ 6WDQGLQJ WKHUH , IHOW WKH PRVW LQ - tense sense of awe and transcendence, a moment of deep interconnectedness. This was more than just a pretty sight; LWZDVDSURIRXQGUHDOL]DWLRQRIQDWXUH¶V capacity to move us — body, mind and spirit — through challenge into renew- al. That journey, braving the storm to be met by the mountain’s unwavering beauty, is became the seed that blos- somed into the work we now call Nature ,QIRUPHG7KHUDS\ 1,7 1DWXUH,QIRUPHG7KHUDS\LVJURXQGHG in the idea that we humans and the natu- ral environment are deeply interwoven. When we experience disconnection from nature, we also experience distress, anx- LHW\ RU D JHQHUDOL]HG VHQVH RI XQHDVH What Is Nature Informed Therapy?
Conversely, as we mend our bond with the living world, we often see psychological and emotional healing unfold in a way that feels au- WKHQWLFDQGOLIHḊ UPLQJ 8QOLNH SXUHO\ LQGRRU WKHUDS\ PRGHOV 1DWXUH ,QIRUPHG 7KHUDS\ LQWHJUDWHVWKHWKHUDSHXWLFEHQH¿WVRIQDWXUDOVHWWLQJV²IRUHVWVJDU - dens, mountains, even simple urban green spaces — into the healing SURFHVV5DWKHUWKDQFRQ¿QLQJRXUVHOYHVWRDQṘ FHFKDLUZHPLJKW walk side by side with clients along a wooded trail, encourage mind- ful observation of a tree’s bark, or guide gentle movement in a calm- ing meadow. Nature itself becomes a partner in therapy, providing grounding sensory cues and a tangible sense of belonging. Beyond Adventure and Wilderness Therapy 3HRSOHRIWHQDVNLI1DWXUH,QIRUPHG7KHUDS\LVWKHVDPHDVDGYHQ - ture therapy or wilderness therapy. Although these modalities share similarities, they are not interchangeable. Adventure therapy tends to HPSKDVL]HSK\VLFDOFKDOOHQJHDQGDGUHQDOLQHIXHOHGDFWLYLWLHV²OLNH rock climbing, white-water rafting or high-ropes courses — whereas wilderness therapy might involve extensive backcountry expeditions ZLWKDQLPPHUVLRQLQUHPRWHRXWGRRUVHWWLQJV%RWKR̆ HUZRQGHUIXO
softness of moss underfoot. This multisensory engagement helps re- duce stress hormones such as cortisol and supports a calmer nervous system. By inviting the body’s sensory awareness into the healing pro- cess, we open the door to new insights and more profound emotional release. Reciprocity: Healing Ourselves, Healing Our Planet When we talk about the power of nature to heal, we also underscore RXUUHVSRQVLELOLW\WRFDUHIRUWKHHQYLURQPHQWWKDWVXVWDLQVXV,Q1D - WXUH,QIRUPHG7KHUDS\ZHHPSKDVL]H reciprocity — the mutual ex- change of support between humans and the more-than-human world. As nature helps us heal, we in turn commit to nurturing and protect- ing the planet that provides these transformative moments. This sense of mutual care often emerges spontaneously. When some- RQH H[SHULHQFHV VRODFH XQGHU D FHQWXULHVROG RDN RU ¿QGV UHQHZHG KRSH ZKLOH JD]LQJ DW D PRXQWDLQ VXQULVH WKH\ IUHTXHQWO\ GHYHORS D deeper respect for the natural world. We see this in clients who come to us grappling with eco-anxiety, overwhelmed by the realities of cli-
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PATHWAYS—Spring 25—9
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