The Healing Forest in Post-Crisis Work with Children

Nature Therapy is an innovative approach for working with children who have experienced stress or trauma. For the first time in the English language, this book presents the theory behind the approach along with detailed guidelines for introducing it to the classroom and other group settings

The flexible 12-session programme pairs nature-based activities with storytelling and other expressive arts approaches. It is designed to strengthen coping and resilience in children who have been through common causes of stress such as the divorce of parents, moving home, the illness of a loved one or bullying. It can also be used in the aftermath of large-scale crises such as war, terrorism and natural disasters to prevent and treat post-traumatic stress disorder. An evocative colour storybook, 'The Guardians of the Forest', is also included for use within the programme.

The original, evidence-based approach described in this book will be of interest to all those working therapeutically or creatively with children who have experienced stress or trauma, including teachers, arts therapists, psychologists and counsellors.

Dr Ronen Berger is the founder of Nature Therapy, Head of the Nature Therapy program at Tel Aviv University, Israel, and Head of the MA Drama Therapy program at the College for Arts and Social, Israel. Professor Mooli Lahad is a senior medical psychologist and a renowned expert on trauma recovery and resilience for the individual, group and community. He is Founder and President of the Community Stress Prevention Center in North Israel, Professor of Psychology and Drama Therapy and the head of the MA in Dramatherapy at Tel Hai College, Israel. He is the author or co-author of 32 books, including The "BASIC PH" Model of Coping and Resiliency and Creative Supervision, both published by JKP.

Acknowledgements. Part I: Background and Theory. 1. "A Safe Place". Introduction. "A Safe Place" - Historical Background. The Research Proves: Widely Acclaimed Success. 2. Post-Trauma and the Traumatic Experience: Definitions, Differences and Methods of Coping. Post-trauma and the Traumatic Experience. The Diagnostic Criteria of Post-Trauma. Expected Reactions After Trauma and Extended Pressure States. The Severity and Uniqueness of the Traumatic Reaction. Trauma as a Social-Communal Phenomenon. Psychological Treatment of PTSD. 3. Resilience and Coping Resources. What is Resilience? Do Modern Life and Educational Systems Limit Resilience? The Development of Resilience in Children. Fantastic Reality. The Healing Metaphor. The Importance of Play in Children's Recovery. 4. Nature Therapy: Theoretical and Practical Framework. The Historical Context of Nature Therapy: Why Now? Nature Therapy: An Applied Theoretical Framework. Selected Theoretical Terms. Nature as a Therapeutic Environment. The Therapeutic Triangle: Client-Therapist-Nature. Choosing the Space. Rituals, Rituals and More Rituals. Four Applied Models. Challenge in Nature. Art in Nature. A Home in Nature. Nature Conservation Therapy. 5. The Protocol - A Practical Guide. Before Starting: Introducing and Launching the Journey. General Information. Suggested Contract. 6. The Sessions. Session 1: Trees Also Have a Safe Place. Session 2: Finding a Safe Place and Becoming Guardians of the Forest. Session 3: Choosing a Safe Place in Nature. Session 4: Building a Safe Place (A Home in Nature). Session 6: The "Big Bash" - Campsite Cooking. Session 7: Treasure Hunt. Session 8: Making Flags and Preparing to March. Session 9: Hosting Another Class in the "Safe Space". Session 10: Helping Nature - Preparing for "Graduation". Session 11: Closure (Planting, Feeding Stations, Nature Corner). Session 12: Farewell to the Space in Nature and to the Group Leader. 7. Adaptations and Further Activities. Recommendations for Continuing Activities after the Program. More Tree Activities. Activities (Exercises in the Spirit of Far Eastern Martial Arts). Rainy Day Activities. Adapting the Programme to Kindergartens. Appendices. Appendix 1: Guidelines for Preparing Feeding Stations (Sessions 10-11). Appendix 2: Preparing a Peanut Role. Appendix 3: Other Types of Feeding Stations. Bibliography. References. Index.