What is nature-based art therapy?

In the era of the climate crisis, art therapy delivered in natural environments can promote the health and wellbeing of people across all ages. It has a vast potential to heal both people and nature through offering a space for reflection and (re-)connection to the natural world.

Nature-based art therapy can be beneficial in de-stigmatising ‘therapy’, creating a more accessible space for people who may find it challenging to engage in a traditional therapeutic room, and (re-)connecting people with nature.

What you will learn

On completion of the course, you will be able to:

• understand what environmental art therapy is and how it can be facilitated
• gather information regarding current evidence and theoretical underpinnings
• reflect on anti-oppressive practices and how to adopt cultural humility
• be mindful of the most common ethical and safeguarding issues

The course focuses on: 

• definition, role, and purpose of environmental art therapy
• existing evidence and theoretical underpinnings
• cultivating cultural humility and anti-oppressive practice, recognising the ideological, cultural and political identities of ‘land’, and facilitating equity of access to nature
• establishing and holding a frame in a natural environment
• ethical and safeguarding challenges
• experiential activities introducing concepts of environmental art therapy

How you will learn

There will be a balance between theoretical, taught sections and reflective practical exercises done individually, in pairs and as a group, to explore experientially the ideas that emerge.

Tutors

Dr Zoe Moula and Katarina Horrox