“Nature-Based Therapy: Bridging Mental Health and Environmental Well-Being for Holistic Healing"

As the global mental health crisis deepens, innovative approaches are needed to address the complex interplay between individual well-being and environmental health. Nature-Based Therapy (NBT) is a holistic, evidence-based model that positions nature as an active co-therapist, offering profound benefits for clients and the planet.

This presentation will introduce Nature-Based Therapy as a transformative approach rooted in trauma-informed care, polyvagal theory, and environmental psychology. By fostering a direct connection to nature, NBT helps individuals regulate emotions, reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and burnout, and enhance their sense of belonging. Simultaneously, it cultivates environmental stewardship, recognizing the therapeutic reciprocity between human well-being and the natural world.

Attendees will explore three key strategies to implement NBT effectively. These include engaging the senses with nature to support emotional regulation, integrating nature-based practices with existing therapeutic models, and fostering cultural and ecological sensitivity to ensure the relevance and sustainability of interventions. Real-world examples and case studies will demonstrate the versatility of NBT across diverse populations and settings, from urban environments to wilderness retreats.

Through case studies and actionable strategies, this session will empower mental health professionals to incorporate nature-based interventions into their practice, promoting sustainable, holistic care. Attendees will leave with practical tools to incorporate NBT into their practice, whether through simple mindfulness exercises in green spaces or comprehensive programs that blend psychotherapy with ecological restoration.

This presentation invites mental health professionals to reimagine therapy as a partnership with nature, offering clients not only relief from psychological distress but also an opportunity to rediscover their place in the natural world. Together, we can create a sustainable model of care that benefits individuals, communities, and the planet.

Three Key Learnings:
1. Understand the Foundations of Nature-Based Therapy
Participants will gain an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of Nature-Based Therapy, including its alignment with trauma-informed care, polyvagal theory, and environmental psychology.

2. Learn Practical Nature-Based Therapeutic Strategies
Attendees will learn actionable strategies to integrate nature-based interventions into their practice, including sensory engagement, metaphorical tools, and culturally sensitive approaches tailored to diverse populations.

3. Recognise the Dual Benefits of NBT
Participants will develop an appreciation for how Nature-Based Therapy simultaneously supports individual mental health and fosters broader social and environmental well-being, creating a sustainable approach to holistic healing.