The Power of Nature

Written by: Cintra Harbold

I met with nine-year-old “Tim” once in person with his father before COVID 19 shut things down in March 2020. Tim presented in my office as shy, but also talkative with quite a vocabulary. For two-plus years I saw him only through telehealth, once-a-week... Not the optimal scenario for a creative boy with ADHD! Dad informed me that he and mom’s main objective for Tim’s therapy was to provide him the opportunity to “talk to someone.” Tim had experienced some “tough things” in his life already and really needed a patient and understanding set of ears to listen to whatever he had to say. I knew I would face some challenges in engaging this energetic child on screen, but I was open to it.

In the Fall of 2022, I attended a training sponsored by the Center for Nature Informed Therapy to become certified as a Nature-Informed Therapist. The training empowers mental health professionals to integrate the healing aspects of nature into clinical practice using research-based knowledge and practice. Being a nature-lover myself, I knew I wanted to incorporate this into my practice.

Tim turned 11 and not being able to see him in person, I was stumped as to how I could incorporate nature-informed content into the session. I decided to share my screen with him and showed a video of a “virtual walk” in a wooded area along a stream. There are several on YouTube, including a series called “4K HD” filmed in various settings. I had created a “scavenger list” of things for him to look for in the video including things like “something that is blue” “Something that looks warm” “something that looks dead” etc. I also included a question about what sounds he was hearing. During the session, Tim was interested initially and curious about the novelty of it. He did identify a few items on the list and then eventually became distracted. I was hoping to introduce the concept of mindfulness and increase his curiosity about nature. He was extremely computer-focused, often posting on his YouTube channel and playing video games. It seems he did not spend a lot of time outside.

Another activity I implemented with Tim was identifying two things from nature that represented what he was feeling that day. He was given permission by his parents to go outside for this. He chose a pinecone and a twig, stating that he had been “bored” at school (twig). He stated that the pinecone represented feeling annoyed at a classmate who mocked him. This was a great lead-in to discussion about bullying and standing up for himself in helpful ways.

Nature comes in many forms. During the pandemic, many of us found solace and renewal in being outside by ourselves or with others, some of us retreated inside to escape and avoid what was happening around us. We can find nature inside and outside, and it is important to do so. As human beings we are preciously connected and part of the natural world. Without that connection, we are not whole.

“We forget that nature itself is one vast miracle transcending the reality of night and nothingness. We forget that each one of us in his personal life repeats that miracle.”

Loren Eisley, American anthropologist, educator, philosopher, and natural science writer