The Role of Nature in Healing Trauma in Youth
The Role of Nature in Healing Trauma in Youth
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Issue Date
2025-08-30
Authors
Dion-Croteau, Joë
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Abstract
This capstone looks at how being in nature can help young people heal from trauma, especially in school settings. Many youth experience trauma that affects their emotions, behavior, and ability to learn. This project explores different nature-based activities—like walking in the forest, gardening, outdoor adventures, and land-based Indigenous practices—and how these can support students' mental and emotional health. These activities can help youth feel calmer, more connected, and safe in their bodies. The paper brings together ideas from different theories, including how the body responds to stress (polyvagal theory and somatics), how people grow within their environments (ecological systems theory), and how supportive relationships help healing (person-centered and CBT approaches). The research also looks at how schools can include nature-based healing in counseling, especially for students who face big challenges. Indigenous ways of healing, which center land and community, are also recognized as important and valuable. This capstone is based on academic research, personal experience, and real-life work with youth in an alternative high school. It ends with ideas for how schools can use nature to better support students' healing, while being aware of cultural needs and barriers to access.
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Keywords
nature , trauma , youth
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States , openAccess