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In most cases, therapy is addressed as an indoor, verbal, and cognitive activity, with the relationship between therapist and client at its center (McLeod, 2003). This article presents an alternative approach to therapy, conducted in creative ways in nature, addressing the environment not merely as a setting but as a partner in the process. The article includes examples of work that took place with different clients, in varied settings. It aims at presenting basic concepts from this young framework that will inspire other practitioners to "open the doors" and explore these ideas with their clients in nature.
The concept of conducting transformative and healing work in nature is not new; it can be traced back to ancient times when people lived in communities in nature. In those days, shamans would incorporate nature's healing powers into the performance of rituals and into the overall framework of traditional medicine. These rituals, which can be viewed as an ancient form of therapy (Al-Krena, 1999; Grainer, 1995; Jennings, 1995; Jerome, 1993; Jones, 1996; Pendzik, 1994; West, 2004), were used to help people recover from illness, cope with the unknown, and make the transition from one status to another (Eliade, 1959; Evans, 1997; Hazan, 1992; Jennings, 1995; Meged, 1998; Turner, 1986).
After the scientific revolution and the development of modern therapy, Erickson, one of Freud's leading students and an important theoretician in his own right, used the experiential encounter with nature not only for his own healing but also for his clients; he would send them to the mountains as part of the process (Kinder, 2002). Years later, adventure therapy was developed by working outdoors with youth and adults having difficulties coping with boundaries and with authority (Garst, Scheider, & Baker, 2001; Kaly & Hessacker, 2003; Neill & Heubeck, 1998; Price & DeBever, 1998; Simpson & Gillis, 1998). It was also used in caring for children with special needs, families, anorexic women, and people suffering from psychiatric illness (Bandoroff, 2003; Burg, 2001; Crisp & O'Donnell, 1998; Richards, Peel, Smith, & Owen, 2001;Roberts, Horwood, Aunger, & Wong, 1998). Adventure therapy usually approaches nature as a setting (location) and as a provider of challenges in what constitutes a concrete and task-oriented process (Beringer & Martin, 2003; Itin, 1998; Richards & Smith,...