Articles and book chapters written by Dr. Ronen Berger
NATURE THERAPY:
A FRAMEWORK THAT INCORPORATES NATURE, THE ARTS AND RITUAL IN THERAPY
This chapter presents Nature Therapy, a creative therapeutic discipline, which takes place in nature and relates to it as a partner in the therapeutic process. Relating to concepts from eco-psychology, ritual and drama therapy the chapter presents the fundamental concepts of the framework and demonstrates its possible applications to various populations. It highlights how the integration of nature can broaden, deepen and advance the therapeutic process. The chapter affirms that Nature Therapy is an autonomous and independent framework, as well as serving as a model that can be utilized in arts therapies in general and in drama therapy in particular.
Going on a Journey:
A Case Study of Nature Therapy with Children with a Learning Difficulty
Therapy is usually described as an indoor activity, centring on verbal dialogue between therapist and client/s. Based on a qualitative study conducted with a group of children with learning difficulties, this article presents a way in which therapy can take place creatively in nature, which serves not only as a therapeutic setting, but also as a non-verbal medium and partner in the process. Using participants' voices to highlight the programme's protocol and impacts, the article presents elements from the innovative framework of Nature Therapy, offering practitioners concepts and methods that can be incorporated into their practice.
A Safe Place
Ways in which nature, play and creativity can help
children cope with stress and crisis
This article presents a way in which the innovative Nature Therapy conceptual
framework coupled with creative therapeutic methods can help children develop
resilience and support their coping with uncertainty and stress. It refers to the Safe Place
programme that took place in 110 Israeli kindergartens, helping over 6000 children after
the Second Lebanese War. It is based Ayalon and Lahad’s 2000 BASIC PH integrative
model of ‘resiliency’ highlighting the importance of the kindergarten in such
development and challenging the tendency to use the kindergarten as a deductive,
preparatory course for school and schooling only. The article integrates theory with
examples from practice which can help readers to incorporate them into their own work.
The enchanting forest and the healing sand
Nature therapy with people coping with psychiatric difficulties
This article will introduce ways in which the connection with nature, and non-verbal and creative work
in nature, can empower adults coping with emotional and psychiatric difficulties. Relating to two sessions
from a short-term Nature Therapy intervention group program in Israel, it will present Nature
Therapy’s key elements and highlight possible connections with Drama and Art Therapy. The article will
focus on creative and non-verbal processes and highlight their potential to support therapeutic processes
originating in the right hemisphere – imagination, emotions and body.
NATURE THERAPY
HIGHLIGHTING STEPS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This chapter presents three facets of the rapidly expanding field of environmental expressive therapies, nature therapy, in particular. The chapter starts by presenting the basic nature therapy theory, concepts and methods; specifically, touching nature, the triangular relationship (therapist-client-nature), choosing the right space and back to ritual, followed by tow intervention methods; art within nature and building a home in nature. It continues with an example that illustrates its implementation in practice.
BACK TO RITUALS
The creation and performance of rituals as a central axis in arts therapy
This chapter presents the concept of ritual and explores the possibility of creating spontaneous rituals as a central axis in art therapy, in drama therapy and in nature therapy in particular. With reference to the ritualistic framework, it highlights ways in which various art mediums such as Drama, Movement, Voice and Visual Arts can be incorporated into the process to expand its scope. Three examples that correlate with relevant theory and with the reflexive thoughts of the therapist will demonstrate ways in which such work can take place, while remaining within a creative, embodied experience, without verbal interpretation or cognitive processing.
Doing Less Is Doing
More: Living Statues
as a Medium in Drama
Therapy
This article presents the living statues method as a prime medium inexpressive art therapy and particularly in drama therapy. It describes the method, its specific characteristics and their meaning, and show a public performance can be a space for a creative, art-based, therapeutic process. Two vignettes from practice illustrate how the living
statues method can be applied to work with teenagers with behavioral problems and the elderly. It also highlights the relationships between this
nonverbal, creative, “body–mind–spirit” performance-oriented method and humanistic psychology.
Nature Therapy with Children with Learning Difficulties
Therapy with children with learning difficulty is usually described as an indoor activity, centring on verbal and cognitive dialogue. Relating to tow case studies conducted in tow schools for children with learning difficulties, with behavioural and mental-emotional difficulties this article presents ways in which therapy can take place creatively in nature. It highlights ways in which nature can provide not only a “setting”, but also a non-verbal medium and partner in such a creative process. Relating to concepts from Nature Therapy the article offers practitioners concepts and methods that can be incorporated into their practice.
Nature therapy – Theoretical framework
This chapter presents the theory and methods of Nature Therapy, a creative therapeutic discipline that takes place in nature and relates to it as a partner in the therapeutic process. Drawing on concepts from eco-psychology, ritual and drama therapy, this chapter presents the fundamental concepts, methods and ethics of the framework.
Nature Therapy - Thoughts about the Limitations of a Practice
This article will present several issues that relate to the limitations of the innovative practice of Nature Therapy. Drawing upon examples from practice, it will separate between physical and psychological limitations, and suggest ways in which the limitations of a framework can be bypassed, turning weakness into strength.
Nature Therapy:
Incorporating Nature
Into Arts Therapy
This article presents Nature Therapy, a creative method that takes place in nature, and which regard nature as a partner in the therapeutic process. It
introduces the basic concepts of Nature Therapy and provides illustrations of their implementation in practice. the article treats Nature Therapy as
an independent framework as well as a model that can be utilized in Arts Therapy in general and in Drama Therapy in particular.
Shifting roles: A new art based creative supervision model
This article presents a new creative supervision model that integrates Landy’s theory of roles into artsbased supervision. It defines the arts therapist in terms of theatrical roles, and suggests how best to choose the therapist’s role and stance accordingly. This new approach provides the arts therapist and supervisor with another perspective to explore complexities and resistance in therapy, as well as ways to work through them. The model can underpin arts therapy supervision processes in general and the work of drama therapists in particular, and contribute to therapists who combine different art forms.
Talking in a variety of creative languages ‒ a fresh approach to art-based supervision
This article presents a new approach to creative supervision based on Jennings’ EPR and Lahad’s BASICPh model, while focusing on the issues of artistic medium and artistic form. It suggests an original way
to explore complexities and resistance in arts-based therapy. This approach can be integrated into arts therapy supervision in general, and the work of therapists who combine different arts media. Detailed examples are provided to illustrate the implementation of the approach. The article highlights ways in which creative supervision can expand
therapists’ awareness, provide them with creative tools, as well as
cultivate belief and inspiration.
Beyond words:
Nature Therapy in Action
Therapy in most cases is addressed as an indoor verbal and cognitive activity in which the relationship between the therapist and the client stands at its center (McLeod 2003). This article proposes another approach to therapy, conducting it in creative ways in nature with this environment used not only as a therapeutic setting but also as a non-verbal medium and partner in the process. The article is based on a case study which was carried out with children with learning disabilities within a school setting. The article illustrates how the integration of basic concepts from Nature-Therapy can add to conventional indoor modes of working expending the dialogue in ways which are beyond words.
Choosing the ‘right’ space to work in:
Reflections prior to a nature therapy session
This paper explores ways in which a nature therapist considers the issue of space when choosing “the right setting” for a
session with a new client. Drawing upon the therapist’s thoughts prior to the encounter, the paper illustrates ways in which
nature’s influence is incorporated into the choice, using this reflection to highlight new concepts. The article begins with a
review of relevant theory, to place the issue within the larger context, continues with a reflexive description, and concludes
with questions and themes that emerge from the case.
Incorporating Nature into Therapy: a Framework for Practice
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 ninja therapist: Theater improvisation tools for the (daring) clinician
This article presents a new typology of improvisational concepts that can be used to widen the therapists’
perspective and interventions. Utilizing the metaphor of the therapist as a "ninja" and the importance of a spontaneous co-created encounter, this paper offers a taxonomy of improvisational tendencies (initiator/reactor, fast/slow), together with a classification of two possible relational moves: horizontal or vertical offers. This
terminology can help therapists increase cooperation, creativity, flexibility and vitality in the therapeutic process.
It can also aid clinicians and supervisors better understand and work through impasses and resistance. Clinical examples illustrate the taxonomy and its uses in therapy. Recommendations for practice and training are
presented
Using contact with nature, creativity
and rituals as a therapeutic medium
with children with learning difficulties:
a case study
In most cases therapy is addressed as an indoor verbal activity in which the relationship between
therapist and client stands at its centre. This article proposes a different approach to therapy:
conducting it creatively in nature, with the environment being used not only as a therapeutic
setting but also as a medium and a partner in the process. The article is based on a case study
carried out with a group of children with special needs within a school setting. It explores the
therapeutic and educational impact that this approach had on the participants and on nature’s role in it. The article also aims to initiate a dialogue around the option of working with this population in non-verbal and experiential ways, illustrating the potential that the use of group work, creativity and contact with nature may offer.