Nature Is Nurture: Counseling and the Natural World

by Megan E Delaney

"From foraging and hunting for food to (more recently) finding solace and peace in a beautiful vista, humans have long interacted with the natural world. Though a connection to nature runs deep in our DNA, however, people of the modern age are indoors almost 93% of the day. With that said, there is a growing evidence suggests that the natural world promotes mental and physical well-being, including stress relief, improved mood, and neurological benefits. Ecotherapy, a steadily developing but lesser-known construct in mental health, explores the reciprocal relationship humans have with nature and its capacity to build strength and provide healing.

Nature Is Nurture provides an overview of the theoretical concepts and empirical bases of ecotherapy via historical considerations and recent research within the discipline. Chapters share practical ways to incorporate ecotherapy with children, adults, and veteran populations; within schools; and in group work. Descriptions of modalities such as animal-assisted, equine-assisted, horticultural, forest-bathing, green-exercise, and adventure-based therapy are also included alongside case examples, techniques, and practical and ethical considerations. In examining the impact of improved physical and mental wellness for all clients, this book provides counselors, therapists, social workers, and psychologists with the knowledge and techniques to infuse ecotherapy into everyday practice."

Genres: Nature

280 pages, Paperback

Published January 2, 2020

Reviews

[Rashmi Kamath]

Although I am a professor, I am not a fan of lecturing. I find that, with creativity, students are often more engaged, are more connected with me and with each other, and better absorb the content of the course. The benefit of teaching unconventionally is that it takes the students outside of their comfort zone. The second benefit is more obvious: We are learning in nature.
- Dr. Megan Delaney

Nature is Nurture is a one-of-a-kind, avant garde if you will, collection of chapters bringing together the modality of counseling and psychotherapy with the magnetic pull of nature's healing resources. The author, Dr. Megan Delaney, is not only one of my favorite professors, but also a much-loved mentor. It was she who dialed up my enthusiasm for nature from "oh, that's a nice breeze" to "I feel crabby, I think I need to spend some time alone in the outdoors." Most of her classes, regardless of the subject, were spent outdoors - sometimes it was the backdrop of an expansive sky over the rhythmic ocean waves and some of other times it was a grassy landscape of an arboretum. This passion of hers is strikingly evident between the pages of her narration. She brought together people of diverse expertise falling within the vast spectrum of nature lovers, all of whom contributed unparalleled wealth of nature-assisted wisdom related to restoration of the psyche.

Nature is Nurture offers a large scope of topics concerning therapy in the arms of nature including, but not limited to, ecospirituality, equine-assisted, animal-assisted, horticulture, arts, adventure-based, etc. The techniques discussed in the book caters to diverse population - family, couples, veterans, children, teens, individuals, in addition to ensuring the flexibility required to encompass multicultural perspectives. There is also a chapter dedicated to teaching Ecotherapy as well as benefits of teaching just about anything in an outdoor setting. The author refers to it being "a labor of love," a hue that's quite tangible throughout. Dr
Delaney makes it point to touch upon foundations of safe and ethical practice as well. In my opinion, this book is an interesting and fun equivalent of Ecotherapy 101 inclusive of anecdotal vignettes. My favorite thing about this book is, it teaches and encourages you to build a signature practice of your own, something that reflects YOU and the part of your soul that comes alive in Nature.

This book houses a piece of my heart in the form of an essay I was given an opportunity to contribute. However, there is no bias in this review despite the emotional investment. I PROMISE! If you are a healer and nature is your thing, this book is for you. If you are not a healer and nature is your thing, I would still insist this book is for you. You see, we are all Mother Nature's beautiful creations and she does not play favorites - there is something for everyone. 5 stars.

#bibliophilesbookreview
#counseling
#psychotherapy
#ecotherapy
#natureisnurture
#drdelaney

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[Kei]

A must-read for anyone learning or interested in Environmental Psychology.

[Amber Launstein]

Really great info but geared towards counselors. I guess I didn’t read the description thoroughly. Still a great reminder that nature is therapy!

[Karen]

I'm not a counselor, but I loved this book. I found and learned a number of practices I can incorporate into my life as a mother and a teacher.