Nature-based art therapy supports improved mental health and well-being for youth coping with trauma and other concernsNature-based art therapy (NBAT) is a therapeutic approach that integrates nature engagement and art therapy to promote well-being through creative expression, facilitated by a professional art therapist. Although this diverse field has grown in recent years, a comprehensive overview of NBAT is lacking from the literature. Therefore, this scoping review was conducted “to map the research landscape and identify the thematic scope within this emerging field.”
A search of academic databases was conducted to identify research on NBAT using key terms related to both art therapy and nature. Only peer-reviewed studies published in English were eligible for inclusion in the review. Further, only studies involving NBAT interventions facilitated by a professional art therapist and aligned with the concept of art therapy were considered for inclusion. No restrictions were placed on participants’ age or health status. A variety of study designs were considered, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, and theoretical studies. Based on the eligibility criteria, 11 studies were selected. The studies were conducted in multiple countries with both children and adults. Of the reviewed studies, three were conducted with children, one with adolescents, and one with young adult students. Participants in each of these studies were coping with specific concerns, such as trauma or grief, physical or emotional abuse, significant life changes, hyperactivity, or were the non-disabled siblings of children with disabilities. Findings across studies were analyzed thematically to identify emerging themes within NBAT.
Analysis identified four key themes: (1) <em>areas of focus</em>, (2) <em>nature engagement</em>, (3) <em>core elements</em>, and (4) <em>challenges</em>. The first theme, <em>areas of focus</em>, emerged from the identification of a range of benefits that were experienced by clients or that NBAT intended to provide. Findings here indicate that NBAT improved mental health, promoted psychological well-being, supported emotional regulation and stress management, and helped individuals experiencing trauma process and manage their emotions. NBAT was also reported to encourage cognitive development, including attention, memory, problem-solving, and creative thinking. Additional benefits included improved social connection, personal growth, awareness of environmental sustainability, and the development of an ecological identity or a sense of belonging in nature. Findings related to the second theme, <em>nature engagement</em>, highlighted how NBAT facilitated both direct and indirect engagement with nature through a variety of approaches. This finding reveals that through NBAT, “nature experiences can be made accessible to almost everyone through sensory, creative, interactive, or reflective activities that provide either direct or indirect engagement with nature.” The theme <em>core elements</em> identified the central components that formed the basis of NBAT sessions and “reveal a rich tapestry of methods that facilitate deep connections between participants and the natural world.” These included a range of flexible approaches to artworks (such as digital, environmental, literary, and visual art), art materials (conventional and natural), and therapy settings (indoor therapy rooms, forests, gardens, parks, etc.). The final theme, <em>challenges</em>, examined the complexities reported by clients and art therapists, including difficulties in client assistance, challenges in accessing nature, psychosocial and cultural barriers, and safety/risk management concerns.
The synthesis of the literature provided by this review offers an improved holistic understanding of NBAT. Although research on this therapeutic approach is sparse, the review found that “nature-based art therapy holds significant promise for enriching therapeutic practice within art therapy, especially as individuals seek to reconnect with nature, themselves, and others.” Overall, findings highlight the benefits of NBAT in supporting the mental health and well-being of youth coping with trauma and other concerns. Research should continue to examine the effectiveness of NBAT.
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