At the 2013 UKCP Research Conference, held at Regents University, Regents Park, London, Nigel Magowan, a psychotherapist from Manchester, presented his research paper titled 'The Effectiveness of Nature Awareness Exercises as a Therapeutic Intervention for Anxiety', a study into the potential effectiveness of Nature Awareness exercises when used as a treatment for anxiety disorders. Nigel, uses Nature Awareness exercises as a part of his Ecotherapy workshops and one-to-one Ecotherapy sessions.
There is growing research that shows that nature has many beneficial effects on us both psychologically and physically. Many studies have shown that people feel more relaxed, less stressed, have better self-esteem, feel less depressed, heal faster after surgery, and just feel healthier in general when in a natural environment, or even just when able to look at a natural view.
Ecotherapy is a collective term for any therapy that utilises a connection with nature as part of the therapeutic process. Ecotherapies combine the many benefits of being in a natural environment with modern psychotherapy and counselling practices. Some better known Ecotherapies are Wilderness Therapy, Equine Assisted Therapy, and Pet Assisted Therapy. A recent study showed that CBT therapy carried out in a woodland environment was much more effective at relieving depression than the same therapy carried out in a hospital environment.
Nature awareness exercises and games have become very popular with many bushcraft and tracking schools across the UK as a fun way for trainees to expand their awareness of nature, and develop their sensory skills. The Nature Awareness exercises are presented as a series of nature-based games, sensory and awareness exercises, primitive skills, mindfulness, meditations, solo reflective time, and group sharing. They are intended to be fun, and to inspire a playful child-like sense of wonder towards nature, whilst at the same time gently challenging the participants to explore beyond their existing preconceptions and limitations. Natural Awareness Therapy (created by Geoffrey McMullan) is a camp-based Wilderness Therapy which adds a therapeutic intent to the existing nature-awareness exercises and games.
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterised by chronic feelings of excessive worry about a variety of topics. Individuals can often feel tense and on edge. The worrying feelings are often accompanied by physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, tension, shaking, and elevated blood pressure. Generalised Anxiety Disorder affects approximately 1 in 20 adults in the United Kingdom. The participant in Nigel’s research study had suffered from generalised anxiety disorder for well over 10 years.
The research study aimed to examine the potential effectiveness of Nature Awareness exercises when used as a treatment for anxiety disorders.
The research study took place over 3 days during an Ecotherapy workshop held in private woodland in North Wales. Participants spent the entire time in the woodland, camping, living, and taking part in the nature-based workshop exercises and games.
Six weeks after the workshop the research participant’s score on the HAM-A and GAD-7 anxiety measures had reduced to the clinical case cut off level, and one point above the cut off level respectively. These scores indicated that the anxiety had reduced to a point where it was no longer considered a serious clinical problem. These results seem all the more remarkable given the relatively short duration of the treatment.
The participant also reported improvements in self-compassion, self-worth, positive thinking, improved ability to relax, and a positive change in focus onto goals rather than obstacles.
“…my compassion for the damaged tree helped me recognise and acknowledge areas of my own life and personality which have previously been buried or are in need of repair” - Quote from the research participant.
Whilst it is difficult to generalise the results of a single case study to the wider population, the pilot study does indicate that Nature Awareness exercises when used therapeutically could have the potential to be an effective treatment for sufferers of generalised anxiety disorder, as well as a useful addition to the field of Ecotherapy.
About NIGEL MAGOWAN
Nigel Magowan provides counselling and psychotherapy in Manchester. He has been in full-time private practice since 2002 and frequently works with the various anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia, stress and confidence issues. As well as offering traditional consulting room based therapy sessions, he also offers Ecotherapy in the form of outdoor workshops, retreats and one-to-one sessions, to individuals, organisations and corporate groups. Visit his website at http://www.manchester-psychotherapy.co.uk/
Company Name: Inner Changes Psychotherapy and CounsellingContact Person: Nigel Magowan
Email:Send Email
Phone: 0161 881 4333
City: Manchester
State: England
Country: United Kingdom
Website: www.manchester-psychotherapy.co.uk
Source: www.abnewswire.com
