Book Review: Nature and Therapy: understanding counselling and psychotherapy in outdoor spaces

Abstract

Reviews the book, Nature and Therapy: Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy in Outdoor Spaces by Martin Jordan (see record [rid]2014-44459-000[/rid]). This book is based on Jordan’s research around working as a psychotherapist in nature settings. It outlines the practical issues in setting up an outdoor therapy practice as well as the ethical concerns and underlying philosophies around this unconventional practice. It is described as a ‘how to’ book, the intention of which is to support therapists who desire to understand the relational and practical processes involved in working therapeutically in nature and how to make the shift to set up an effective therapy practice in nature. The book provides commentary on the suggested human disconnection with nature in the post-industrialised world and what this represents for mental health and well-being in postmodern society. This offers a way of conceiving psychopathology beyond the intrapsychic and human-to-human relationships, ident