Integrating Art and Nature in Therapy

1. A title page;
2. Well-developed introductory paragraph explaining the purpose of the short essay and briefly referencing some of the main points/contentions offered in the essay;
3. A concise concluding paragraph that briefly restates both the purpose of the essay as well as some of the primary arguments offered by you, the essay?s author. Be sure the concluding paragraph does not introduce new information;

1. Provide an example of a client whose trouble might lend itself to a combined art therapy and outdoor therapy approach (i.e., you choose the client, or take an example from any chapter of the textbook material).=

2. Explain in detail why this particular client might be a candidate for a combined approach. Please cite your knowledge of the modules? materials concerning both approaches in your response.=

Many arts techniques, such as painting, sculpting and dance, are carried out in the absence of talk, and provide opportunities for the emergence of pre- verbal, unconscious, implicit or hidden material ? thoughts, feelings and fantasies that might otherwise be hard to articulate (McLeod, 2013).
k. The art created during therapy is an excellent gauge of a patient?s progress in therapy. Generally, in the beginning stages of therapy, patients? imagery is much angrier, due to their changing behavior and inability to healthily communicate their emotions. As therapy progresses and the clients begin to recover, there is a notable difference in the mood of their art. It will be evident that they are becoming happier and more comfortable with their new, improved selves.
If the therapist does not see progress in the mood of the art (not the quality) it will be very easy to identify. At this time the therapist can reevaluate the patient?s therapy plan and will adjust the therapy to achieve the desired results. For example, success in abseiling down a cliff, climbing a rock face, or traversing a high rope ladder may have a highly positive impact on a person who suffers from low self- esteem, and the memories of his or her achievement may help to maintain that gain in everyday life situations.
3.Provide a breakdown of at least three specific techniques that you would use with this combined approach. Justify the use of such techniques.=

Automatic drawing: Automatic drawing provides an excellent way for the patient/client to let down their guards and thus is a good starting point for therapy. Free Drawing: This technique is useful because the images that the patient/client creates are often mirrors into the person?s present problems, strengths and weaknesses. Often at the end of free drawing, the patient/client is asked to share and explain what they drew about. Three wishes: Responses to this exercise reflect maturity level, degree of egocentricity and so on. Discussion that follows this exercise focuses on the strength of the wish and whether or not these goals/wishes are attainable. Adventure therapy: is typically an outdoors-based experience that pulls you out of your comfort zone and challenges you to grow and mature. People undergoing adventure therapy often feel trapped in their addiction and as if they can find no way out. Adding a little adventure to their lives helps expand their horizons and expectations. Typical adventure therapy activities include: hiking, fishing, camping, group survival activities, zip lining. Exploring the world in this way is designed to activate your sense of adventure and the joy of life. Being immersed in nature and breathing in fresh air will clear your mind and challenge your body and give you the focus and strength of character you need to beat your addiction for good.
Adventure therapy particularly emphasizes the use of physical and psychological challenge (Ray 2005; Richards and Smith 2003).
In the field of outdoor education, an alternative perspective has been
developed and is exemplified by the assertion that people change for positive
reasons, within the context of supportive communities (Mitten, 1999;
Warren, 1999). This approach discusses the importance of creating a
healthy, supportive community in which people can act on their positive
strivings. Communities are created when there is an emergence of conditions
such as: working with nature, experiencing the outdoors because of
an appreciation of the environment, and safety and sharing with a focus on
group members? strengths (Berman, 2005).

4. Given the client you are profiling, what challenges do you anticipate in treating this person? Explain how these challenges might be overcome.=

Drug and alcohol addiction can be a painful process. It?s not easy for everyone to discuss or even articulate what they are feeling. This is what makes art therapy so effective during addiction treatment. There is no need to verbalize painful thoughts or struggle to find the right words to describe feelings. Rather, art therapy eliminates these obstacles and allows recovering addicts to express their inner issues and emotions in a visual manner.