The Healing Forest in Post-Crisis Work with Children

Acknowledgements. Part I: Background and Theory. 1. ""A Safe Place"". Introduction. ""A Safe Place"" – Historical Background. The Research Proves: Widely Acclaimed Success. 2. Post-Trauma and the Traumatic Experience: Definitions, Differences and Methods of Coping. Post-trauma and the Traumatic Experience. The Diagnostic Criteria of Post-Trauma. Expected Reactions After Trauma and Extended Pressure States. The Severity and Uniqueness of the Traumatic Reaction. Trauma as a Social-Communal Phenomenon. Psychological Treatment of PTSD. 3. Resilience and Coping Resources. What is Resilience? Do Modern Life and Educational Systems Limit Resilience? The Development of Resilience in Children. Fantastic Reality. The Healing Metaphor. The Importance of Play in Children's Recovery. 4. Nature Therapy: Theoretical and Practical Framework. The Historical Context of Nature Therapy: Why Now? Nature Therapy: An Applied Theoretical Framework. Selected Theoretical Terms. Nature as a Therapeutic Environment. The Therapeutic Triangle: Client-Therapist-Nature. Choosing the Space. Rituals, Rituals and More Rituals. Four Applied Models. Challenge in Nature. Art in Nature. A Home in Nature. Nature Conservation Therapy. 5. The Protocol - A Practical Guide. Before Starting: Introducing and Launching the Journey. General Information. Suggested Contract. 6. The Sessions. Session 1: Trees Also Have a Safe Place. Session 2: Finding a Safe Place and Becoming Guardians of the Forest. Session 3: Choosing a Safe Place in Nature. Session 4: Building a Safe Place (A Home in Nature). Session 6: The ''Big Bash'' - Campsite Cooking. Session 7: Treasure Hunt. Session 8: Making Flags and Preparing to March. Session 9: Hosting Another Class in the ''Safe Space''. Session 10: Helping Nature - Preparing for ''Graduation''. Session 11: Closure (Planting, Feeding Stations, Nature Corner). Session 12: Farewell to the Space in Nature and to the Group Leader. 7. Adaptations and Further Activities. Recommendations for Continuing Activities after the Program. More Tree Activities. Activities (Exercises in the Spirit of Far Eastern Martial Arts). Rainy Day Activities. Adapting the Programme to Kindergartens. Appendices. Appendix 1: Guidelines for Preparing Feeding Stations (Sessions 10-11). Appendix 2: Preparing a Peanut Role. Appendix 3: Other Types of Feeding Stations. Bibliography. References. Index.

This is a practical guide book aimed at (as it states) 'therapists, counsellors, teachers and parents; in fact anyone working with children, at any stage of difficulty'... It is a concise easy to read publication, written in a very clean practical style. The author guides the reader through a rich journey from trauma to enlightenment, while offering step by step strategies for the facilitator to prepare and present this creative and expressive intervention... This book is an invaluable resource providing a comprehensive tool kit. In my opinion it would adequately hold and guide any professional wanting to develop creative group interventions, to nurture and support children feeling disempowered, vulnerable and frightened by traumatic life experience.