1st Edition
Nature-Based Play Therapy A Prescriptive Approach to Integrating the Therapeutic Powers of Nature and Play
Nature-Based Play Therapy brings a theoretical basis to arguments for including nature in play therapy and provides tools for that inclusion with a prescriptive model. Throughout this book, play therapists are introduced to the histories of nature and play across cultures and cultural expectations and are then guided into an understanding of how nature and play intersect with current trends in society and psychotherapy. Readers will learn about how the therapeutic powers of play are activated and facilitated by the inclusion of nature in play therapy, and they will be taken step-by-step through a prescriptive case conceptualization model. They’ll also find case studies that link theoretical tenets, the therapeutic powers and play and nature, and intended treatment outcomes.
Nature-Based Play Therapy is an excellent introduction to a vital and growing area of the field, one that gives a well-rounded summary to a theoretically based model of treatment.
1. Introduction 2. The History of Children’s Experiences with Nature 3. The History of Children’s Play 4. The Intersection of Nature and Play 5. The Seminal and Historically Significant Play Therapy Theories: Nature Edition 6. The Therapeutic Powers of Play and Nature 7. A Prescriptive Model for Nature-based Play Therapy 8. Case Illustrations of Nature-based Play Therapy 9. Ethical and Other Considerations in Nature-based Play Therapy 10. Special Adaptations of Nature-based Play Therapy 11. Concluding Thoughts and Reflections
Biography
Julie Blundon Nash, PhD, RPT-S, is a clinical psychologist and registered play therapist-supervisor. She works with individual clients, supervises prospective play therapists, and provides continuing education trainings to share play therapy.
"Grounded in prescriptive play therapy, Dr. Nash’s clinical wisdom invites us to join her in the connective nexus between nature and play. Readers discover historical, cultural, and ethical insights mixed with relevant case examples that redefine the traditional ‘playroom space.’ What differentiates this text is Nash’s sequential model of case conceptualization, clinical reasoning, and decision making. The model challenges us to understand the client's needs, characteristics of play, and the matching of theoretical orientations to both the therapeutic powers of nature and play—all before ever considering the utilization of any technique. Integrative and inspiring!"
Mary Anne Peabody, EdD, LCSW, RPT-S, associate professor of social and behavioral sciences, University of Southern Maine
"Grounded in thorough research yet written for practical application, Nature-Based Play Therapy is a fusion of the core tenets of play therapy and nature. This text will complement play therapists' knowledge, perspective, further growth, and will benefit those they teach and/or serve."
Franc Hudspeth, PhD, LPC-S, NCC, ACS, RPT-S, RPh, chair of counselor education at Sacred Heart University
"This book is so needed in our field! Julie Nash grounds the growing interest in nature play therapy in theory and research. She sets the context with a brief review of the role of nature in history and religion. Then, very insightful and detailed chapters intersect nature with the seminal play therapy theories and the therapeutic powers of play. A very practical chapter of case studies reveals how to conceptualize and implement nature-based play therapy. Throughout, Julie interweaves her family’s experience in nature. This is an enjoyable, solid, must-read book for those who want to be well-grounded in nature-based play therapy!"
Linda E. Homeyer, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, Distinguished Professor Emerita, Texas State University, and director Emeritus, Association for Play Therapy
