The enchanting forest and the healing sand—Nature therapy with people coping with psychiatric difficulties

This article will introduce ways in which the connection with nature, and non-verbal and creative work in nature, can empower adults coping with emotional and psychiatric difficulties. Relating to two sessions from a short-term Nature Therapy intervention group program in Israel, it will present Nature Therapy's key elements and highlight possible connections with Drama and Art Therapy. The article will focus on creative and non-verbal processes and highlight their potential to support therapeutic processes originating in the right hemisphere – imagination, emotions and body.

► The article presents Nature Therapy's core concepts and highlights possible connections with Drama and Art Therapy. ► The article introduces ways in which the connection with nature, coupled with verbal and creative work in nature empowers adults coping with emotional and psychiatric difficulties. ► The article highlights the potential of creative and non-verbal work and of therapeutic processes that relate to the right hemisphere of the brain.