Session Description

The recognition that nature has inherent healing powers has blossomed exponentially over the past few years. In that, many play therapists desire to learn ways to utilize nature within play therapy sessions. Growing research evidence indicates that children who spend time playing in nature helps to increase focus, reduce stress, enhance creativity and problem-solving, improve self-discipline, exhibit more cooperativeness, and have decreased anxiety, depression and behavior problems. Applying the therapeutic powers of play as a foundational springboard, this highly experiential workshop will explore several ways that nature’s elements such as stones, flowers, feathers, clay and others can be utilized to address traumatic histories and enhance inner resilience within indoor, outdoor, and in individual child, family, and group sessions. Nature elements are rich in sensory experiences and this training will explore how the senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, vestibular, and proprioceptive are utilized to enhance nature connection, support regulation, and lower traumatic stress. Several nature-based interventions will be presented that practitioners can immediately put into practice including nature-based mindfulness practices, nature archetypal photography, family collaborative flower arranging, and engaging in a clay gestalt process. Case examples from a variety of theoretical orientations including Gestalt play therapy and Client Centered will be presented to illuminate nature-based play therapy in action. Practitioners will explore ethical considerations of nature in practice through a nature-based informed consent template. Dress comfortably for this training and come ready to engage in some healing Nature Play and to learn new modalities that can be used both indoors, outdoors, to grow your client toolkit. 

Primary Area: Play Therapy Skills and Methods

Play Therapy Competencies Addressed: Clinical Play Therapy Skills

Theoretical Basis: Humanistic