Berger, R. (2008). Nature Therapy - Developing a Framework for Practice. A Ph.D. 1 School of Health and Social Sciences. University of Abertay, Dundee Nature Therapy Developing a Framework for Practice Thesis submitted for the degree: Doctor of Philosophy ^ By: Ronen Berger Supervisory team: Head of studies and main supervisor: Prof. John McLeod Supervisors: Dr. Andrew Samuel and Prof. Sue Cowan External advisors: Prof. Haim Hazan, Dr. Ian Rotherham and Colin Beard February 2009 Tayside Institute for Health Studies School of Health and Social Sciences University of Abertay, Dundee NATURE THERAPY DEVELOPING A FRAMEWORK FOR PRACTICE RONEN BERGER A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the University of Abertay Dundee for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy February 2009 I certify that this thesis is the true and accurate version of the thesis approved by the examiners Signed Date (Q (Director of Studies) This is to certify that all the work that appears in the doctoral dissertation Nature Therapy Developing a Framework for Practice, is my own authentic work. The work has been edited and corrected as per the comments given by the examiners. Ronen Berger Berger, R. (2008). Nature Therapy - Developing a Framework for Practice. A Ph.D. 2 School of Health and Social Sciences. University of Abertay, Dundee TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................8 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS............................................................................................. 9 VOLUME 1 ..................................................................................................................10 CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION................................................................................10 1.1 Placing the Research in Context...........................................................................10 1.2 The Contribution and Aims of the Current Study............................................... 11 1.3 The Development of Integrated Therapies...........................................................12 1.4 Structure of the Thesis..........................................................................................15 CHAPTER 2 - BEGINNING THE JOURNEY - PLACING THE WORK IN CONTEXT....................................................................................................................18 2.0 Introduction...........................................................................................................18 2.1 The Place I Come From - A Reflexive Perspective on the Journey................... 18 2.1.1 Prologue. 8th September 2006..........................................................................18 2.1.2 My Personal Journey - An Autobiographical Perspective............................. 19 2.1.3 The Impact of Culture..................................................................................... 29 2.1.4 Connection to the Land................................................................................... 30 2.1.5 The Meaning of Therapy for Me..................................................................... 31 2.1.6 The Meaning of Nature for Me....................................................................... 32 2.2 A Social-Psychological-Environmental Exploration into the Evolution of the Relationship between Humans Beings and Nature.................................................... 34 2.2.1 Prologue.......................................................................................................... 34 2.2.2 Human - Nature Relationships in Traditional Cultures.................................. 35 2.2.3 Deep Ecology.................................................................................................. 42 2.2.4 Ecopsychology................................................................................................ 48 2.2.5 Seeking Reconnection: Body and Mind, Person and Community, People and Nature........................................................................................................................50 2.2.6 Science's Limited Ability to Explain Complex Human Experiences............. 53 2.2.7 From Questions to Construction..................................................................... 57 2.3 Incorporating Nature into Therapy: Key Themes................................................ 58 CHAPTER 3 - A REVIEW OF THE RELEVANT RESEARCH LITERATURE....65 3.1 Adventure Therapy.............................................................................................. 66 3.2 Drama Therapy.................................................................................................... 73 Berger, R. (2008). Nature Therapy - Developing a Framework for Practice. A Ph.D. 3 School of Health and Social Sciences. University of Abertay, Dundee 3.3 Conclusions...........................................................................................................78 3.4 Aims of the Present Study.....................................................................................79 CHAPTER 4 - METHODOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS.................................... 81 4.1.1 Introduction......................................................................................................81 4.1.2 From Quantitative to Qualitative Methods..................................................... 83 4.1.3 Action Research...............................................................................................85 4.1.4 Action Research and the Context of this Study..............................................85 4.1.5 Reflexivity........................................................................................................87 4.1.6 Reflexivity and the Context of this Study...................................................... 88 4.1.7 Grounded Theory.............................................................................................89 4.1.8 Grounded Theory in the Context of this Study.............................................. 91 4.1.9 Quality Control in Qualitative Research........................................................ 92 4.2 The Cycle of Action Research: An Overview of the Process........................... 95 4.2.1 Cycle 1: From Primary Reflexivity to the Creation of a Pilot Programme....98 4.2.2 Cycle 2: Developing a Therapeutic Programme - 'Encounters in Nature' for the Ministry of Education in Israel.......................................................................... 99 4.2.3 Cycle 3: Developing Short Intensive Training Programmes....................... 101 4.2.4 Cycle 4: Developing Longer, Academic Trainings.......................................102 4.2.5 Cycle 5: Creating a Professional Community and Forming a Dialogue with other Professions.....................................................................................................103 4.2.6 Cycle 6: Elements from the Process that Took Place in Parallel to the Previous Cycles:.....................................................................................................................104 4.2.7 Cycle 7: Work Related to the Viva-Voce and the Examiner's Report:........ 105 4.2.8 Selection of Action Research Data for Presentation......................................105 4.3. Research Procedures........................................................................................105 4.3.1 Case Study 1: 'Encounters with Nature' - Nature Therapy in a School for Children with Special Needs...................................................................................106 4.3.2 Case Study 2: 'Between the Circle and the Cycle'....................................... 109 4.4 Research Procedure: Overview and Conclusions......................................... 112 CHAPTER 5 - 'BUILDING A HOME IN NATURE’ - NATURE THERAPY WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: A CASE STUDY.......................................113 CHAPTER 6 - 'BETWEEN THE CIRCLE AND THE CYCLE'............................. 133 6.1 Placing Things in Context:................................................................................ 134 Berger, R. (2008). Nature Therapy - Developing a Framework for Practice. A Ph.D. 4 School of Health and Social Sciences. University of Abertay, Dundee 6.2 Workshop 1 (7<h and 8<h July 2004).................................................................. 142 6.2.1 Aims of the Workshop...............................................................................142 6.2.2 Arriving..........................................................................................................143 6.2.3 First Circle - Place to Gather.........................................................................144 6.2.4 Second Circle - Bridging with Nature, Summoning Physicality and Creativity 145 6.2.5 Third Circle - Figures in the Sand............................................................... 146 6.2.6 Fourth Circle - Stepping into a Nature Therapist's Shoes........................... 147 6.2.7 Fifth Circle - Sunrise....................................................................................150 6.2.8 Processing and Conceptualization - Encounter 1 (22.7.04) - 'Between Spaces' 152 6.2.8.1 The place I came from............................................................................. 152 6.2.8.2 The actual encounter................................................................................153 6.2.8.3 Making the transition from workshop to everyday environment