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Accepting clients
Is Nature-Informed Therapy For You?
Do you live in the city? Does your environment causes a disconnect with nature?
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Research suggests connecting with nature may:
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Improve memory
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Improve stress
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Improve problem solving and creative abilities
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Appreciation and urge to protect the natural world
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Improve attention disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety
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Create feelings of calm and relaxation
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Less negative thinking
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Increased attention and concentration
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Social connection and interaction
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increased sense of accomplishment and purpose
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Nature-Informed Therapy
What is it?
Nature-Informed Therapy is a experiential therapeutic approach that integrates the healing elements of nature into established, evidence-based treatment modalities. It seeks to improve awareness of the impact the disconnect from nature has on the mental health of human beings and improves mental health and well-being by restoring the healthy relationship with nature, self, and others.
Nature Informed Therapy looks for ways to integrate multiple healing properties of Nature into existing evidence-based modalities like CBT, DBT, and others. It tries to restore the healthy relationship between individuals and the natural world through multiple ways of interaction with nature which may include, however is not limited to hiking, walking, nature-based mindfulness, and Nature arts and crafts.
Nature-informed therapy may be beneficial to those who are seeking or experiencing anxiety management, PTSD, stress reduction, focus, burn-out, grief, individual well-being, life satisfaction, sense of purpose, social interaction and connectedness. Individuals of all ages and all physical capabilities can participate in Nature-Informed Therapy.
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You may have heard of terms such as Wilderness therapy, Ecotherapy, Forest Therapy. Nature-Informed Therapy is distinct from those.
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Nature-Informed Therapy
What does the process look like?
Your therapist will guide you through both a talk-based process in session as well as experiential practices with nature (real and artificial) in session in the office space. PLEASE NOTE SESSIONS DO NOT OCCUR OUTSIDE. Aspects of Nature-Informed Therapy can be integrated into a traditional office visit.
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Nature- Informed Therapy can occur virtually, for instance, if you have access to a safe and confidential space for sessions that can be near some nature, such as by a window with trees, or can have access to go outside. This can be further discussed in a free consultation.
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Your therapist will make recommendations for nature work for between sessions to improve your mental health. It is important to inform your therapist of any concerns regarding any limitations and suggested activities.
Your sessions and in between session recommendations will look different depending upon your needs and goals.
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Parks, green spaces (near plants, trees), blue spaces (by water), gardens, farms, or indoor settings with nature elements are considered practice locations, which may be recommended between sessions, for Nature-Informed Therapy.
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If applicable, your therapist may use a prescription to nature (PaRx) to support your recommended activities between sessions.
Nature-Informed Therapy
Offered by Stephanie Fuller, MA, RP
Stephanie Fuller, Registered Psychotherapist, with a Bachelors of Science Honors in Psychology, and a Masters in Counselling Psychology has always held a fascination in learning about and passion for nature involvement. Having been surrounded by nature, including animals growing up to volunteering with the local humane society and more recently on a nearby farm, she can appreciate and understand the reciprocal benefits of working with nature. She spends her time connecting with nature through caring for animals, plants, and gardens, going on walks and hikes in local conservation areas and visiting sanctuaries. Stephanie's involvement in nature and the community has her aware and in on-going update with conservation parks, zoos, volunteering opportunities for sanctuaries and farms, and local gardens.
Through her work as a Registered Psychotherapist, Stephanie has witnessed Nature Therapy including animal-assisted therapy and benefits through visiting and collaborating with Novas Ark and Windreach Farm. Through the Covid-19 Pandemic, Stephanie facilitated walk and talk sessions in nature spaces, and in nature sessions including parks and witnessed the benefits.
Stephanie's fascination and passion for nature has resulted in the creation of the book: The Nature Of Us. Stephanie has further completed readings and training on nature-informed therapy.
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The Nature of Us is a self-help workbook used to create meaning from the world around us to consider what is happening within us. The world outside of us undeniably involves nature. What is within us, undeniably involves our mental health. This book ties two aspects of life that every human is forced to interact with together: nature, as it is all around us and mental health, as everyone has it. Stephanie and Kate take readers on a journey of self-reflection through each chapter resembling a theme of nature as it relates to mental health topics. The self-reflection exercises are derived from various therapeutic techniques with an unaccustomed component of using nature and evidence-based approaches to guide them.
Nature-Informed Therapy
Respecting Indigenous Ways
When working with nature on First Peoples' lands, it is important to respect and honor the history and culture of the Indigenous people who have lived on those lands for centuries. It is important to respect any sacred sites or areas that may be present on the land, and to avoid disturbing them in any way.
Stephanie Fuller Psychotherapy and Counselling may seek out and consult with local Indigenous communities and organizations when making recommendations for nature-informed tasks/activities between sessions being done on the land. This can help to ensure that any potential impacts on the land and its cultural significance are considered and mitigated.