Preferred Name
Laurel E. Brubaker
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2328-0936
Date of Graduation
5-7-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Educational Specialist (EdS)
Department
Department of Graduate Psychology
Advisor(s)
Debbie Sturm
A. Renee Staton
Kelly Atwood
Abstract
Abstract
The human-nature connection is one that has been undeniably relevant since the earliest conception of the Anthropocene. Early on, this connection was unceasingly tangible and pervasive, confirmed through every aspect of life, but as time has progressed through the process of globalization, technological advancement and urban growth, we have undoubtedly distanced and fragmented this relationship. Numerous studies, across multiple populations and settings, have demonstrated a strong relationship between well-being of individuals and their exposure to nature and nature connectedness/relatedness, with impressive consensus displayed across findings. Connection with nature has been associated with improved holistic wellness, including cognitive, emotional, psychological and physical advantages, and some researchers have gone as far as to argue that the human-nature connection is a basic psychological need. This paper discusses the ways in which connection to nature may contribute to human wellness, explores potential avenues for clinicians to incorporate nature connection into their therapeutic work, and acknowledges some of the unique concerns and ethical considerations accompanying nature-based practice.
Recommended Citation
Brubaker, Laurel E., "Returning to my trees: Connection to nature, wellness and clinical practice" (2020). Educational Specialist, 2020-current. 14.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/edspec202029/14
