Nature as Nurturer: Outdoor Therapy for Youth
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Authors
Thompson, Brittany
Issue Date
2025-07-01
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
narrative therapy , nature-based therapy , slow pedagogy , school counselling
Alternative Title
Abstract
This capstone paper investigates the potential of nature-based therapies to support youth mental health, addressing the growing disconnection in human-nature relationships alongside rising adolescent well-being concerns. While existing nature-based programs often emphasize wilderness and adventure, this study proposes an alternative model: brief, frequent nature-based sessions within a school counselling context. Integrating the principles of slow pedagogy and narrative therapy, this approach aims to foster nature attachment, awaken youth awareness, and support youth in exploring alternative narratives. Inspired by observations of profound student growth in immersive outdoor experiences, this research seeks to bridge a critical gap in the literature regarding the efficacy and accessibility of regular, short-duration nature interactions for youth wellness. By focusing on local engagement with natural settings, this paper outlines resources for school counsellors to support the integration of nature-based therapeutic practices into a school setting.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
openAccess
openAccess