Welcome
Here I have outlined some useful information about my practice in Environmental Art Therapy. I hope you find it helpful and informative, especially if you are considering working therapeutically in this way.
“Look at a tree, a flower a plant. Let your awareness rest upon it. How still they are, how deeply rooted in being. Allow nature to teach you stillness.” – Eckhart Tolle
“Environmental arts therapy is the therapeutic use of natural materials, natural locations, natural themes and natural cycles. As in all arts therapy the therapeutic goals are the same however the context and references are drawn from the natural world, using myths and metaphors that relate to the time of year and the geographical and cultural location within which the therapy takes place.”
“Environmental arts therapy is practised outdoors and enjoys a profound and intimate relationship with the natural world, inspired and shaped by the locations it inhabits.”
https://www.environmentalartstherapyuk.co.uk/
– both of the above quotes are taken from ‘Environmental Arts Therapies UK’
Working in an immersive and attuned manner, in a natural environment allows me to offer a truly bespoke experience – that is always informed and underpinned by the intentions of my clients.
The seasonal rhythms and cycles that a woodland, it’s location and environment pass through on a yearly basis, offer such rich possibilities and opportunities that are often integral to the metaphors that may present when working therapeutically. This enables and supports a communication about the work, which is indirectly addressed through the shared experience of being outdoors together. It is both imbued and deeply held within the experience of creating pieces of environmental art either together, or under the gentle watchful eye of myself, as the therapist.
It has been well documented that an increased engagement with nature has a positive (and proven) impact of our sense of wellbeing leading to increased feelings of happiness, peace and comfort with a noticeable decrease in cortisol and stress markers. Improved immunity, concentration and attention have also been positively attributed to time spent accessing nature, however basic or infrequent those interactions. I truly believe that by being in nature; listening, observing and being present, offers us an authentic connection to the world that is both visceral and felt.
“Look deep into nature, then you will understand everything better” – Albert Einstein
Experiencing nature within a safe therapeutic relationship can help us to feel both externally connected to the earth, but also internally held in its ever-changing identity. I have observed how this can deeply support a person’s sense of feeling that they are an important part of the world and have their own unique role to play within it.
By working slowly and with an appreciative awareness, in such an environment, offers an opportunity to listen deeply to the true narrative being shared.
“Nature does not hurry but everything is accomplished” – Lao Tzu
Art Making using Natural Materials
Instead of working with traditional art materials, you will be welcome and invited to make use of the materials found within the environment of the woodland – fallen branches, delicate little twigs, curled leaves and miniature stones; all rich in opportunity to lay and arrange onto the natural canvas, of the woodland – which all help to support our sense of the here and of the now.
It will be your decision each week if you choose to leave your artwork in the woods (if made only of natural materials), or to make a photographic record of it. If you create a piece of artwork that you don’t wish to leave in the woods, I will invite you to decide if you would like a photographic record of your work, to be added to your folder. By keeping a record of your work, we can then reflect upon these pieces throughout the duration of our work together. This will be your choice, and I will always check with you first what your wishes are.
I will always bring your folder of artworks to each session, and will keep these safe for you, in between your sessions.
Clothing
Working in the woods is often a few degrees cooler than the general temperature making the woods colder in the winter months and cooler in the summer ones. I would always recommend having a warm waterproof coat with a hood, waterproof footwear and an extra layer in the spring, autumn and winter seasons. Having a warm hat and gloves, is also advisable for the colder winter months.
The weather will impact our work each session and this is one of the great joys of working in nature. I would only ever cancel a session if the weather forecast carried a significant weather warning. I would endeavour to communicate this with you, with as much notice as possible. All other sessions will be held, whatever the weather, so dressing appropriately is highly advisable.
Location
Aldenham Country Park is a beautiful place, full of a varied assortment of different types of natural spaces. There is a reservoir and four distinct walks to be taken within the estate. The full address is: Aldenham Country Park, Aldenham Road, Radlett, Hertfordshire, WD6 3BA
More information about the park, can be found here.
There are two food outlets and public toilets however I would ask that if you would like to make use of these, to do so outside of the session.
Safety
The intrinsic value of the woodlands lie in their fluid and ever-changing nature, but I am mindful that working in such a place does comes with some additional considerations when compared with working in a traditional studio setting. Please be reassured that I have conducted a thorough risk assessment for all work completed outdoors, you can read this document here. In essence, being aware of the space that we will share with each other, lays at the heart of staying safe; noticing protruding roots, low hanging branches and deep puddles are all part of the wonders and joys of working outdoors. In building our therapeutic relationship, I endeavour to take good care of you.
In the unlikely event of needing one, I do carry a small first aid kit at all times. I also have the contact details of the wardens at Aldenham Country Park in the event of an emergency.
Privacy within the Natural Space
As we will be meeting and working in a public space, it’s important to acknowledge there is chance that we may encounter others.
Curious members of the public may ask us, what we are doing. I will never disclose that we are working therapeutically, however I usually share something like “we are exploring the woodland together and we’re creating some art in response to our experiences here today.” Aldenham Country Park is a large place so if more privacy is needed, you may like to move to a more secluded area. I would like to reassure you that I am responsive to each situation that may present itself, and we can adjust our surroundings accordingly.
As we learn to locate and anchor ourselves within the environment it supports us in deeply noticing it, which in turn, offers us a greater capacity to reflect upon ourselves and how we meet ourselves in our day to day lives. By closely observing nature, we can witness all of the life cycles in their purest of forms.
Your Therapeutic Environmental Art Therapy Journey
If you are interested in working within Environmental Art Therapy, I have written and illustrated the following to support you. Please do read this in conjunction with ‘The Journey of Therapy’ here, which is in many ways very similar to working indoors, however with a few (obvious and some less so,) differences.
Initial inquiry
This often takes real bravery and is an important first step. This is where you can contact me, to let me know you are interested in working together in Environmental Art Therapy. You can email me: sarah@thesmallstudio.co.uk or call or text me on 07957 775 018
Discovery Call
I offer a ‘Discovery Call’ which is a thirty-minute free of charge Zoom call. It is an opportunity for you to meet with me, to learn a little more about environmental art therapy and for you to briefly outline the reasons that you are seeking support. It’s also a space to share your hopes for therapy. Although it will only be a short call, there will also be time for you to ask me any questions that you may have.
‘Therapeutic Assessment’ Session
The ‘Therapeutic Assessment’ session will serve as a space for me to learn more about you and the information needed, in order for our work to be set up both safely and ethically. The ‘Therapeutic Assessment’ can take place either in person or online and will last for up to ninety minutes. I prefer to hold the Assessment Session at The Small Studio, before beginning work in the woods.
Initial Environmental Art Therapy Session
Once we have completed the ‘Therapeutic Assessment’ session and you have decided that you would like to begin working in Environmental Art Therapy, we can then share our first session together. We will begin in our first session by spending some time going through the ‘Art Psychotherapy – Working Alliance and Informed Consent Contract’ and its addendum ‘Art Psychotherapy – Working Alliance and Informed Consent Contract for Environmental Art Therapy. We can then sign this document together. A copy of these, can be found here.
The meeting point at the woods is located next to the Old Oak Tree – she is located on the left-hand side of the car park, (as you drive in) about 2/3rds down between the entrance to the car park and the entrance to the farm. The What Three Words reference is: eager.dates.decay
When we meet, we will acknowledge together the entering of the natural space.
Your first session and subsequent sessions may follow the structure below:
Brief Discussion/Check In – this could include how you are currently feeling or any issues or thoughts that have arisen since your last session or since your ‘Therapeutic Assessment’. This may be verbally narrated or partly shared through the identification of something in your eyeline, or something you may pick up form the woodland.
Main Body of the Session – the movement towards an area of the woodland combined with some art making – at this stage of the session, you are invited to spend some time orienting to the place you would like to spend the session, and then to creating a piece of art. The focus at this stage, is more on the creative process rather than on the aesthetics of the finished piece. During this time, I may simply observe the creative activity without interference of judgment, or I may work alongside you, only if you have invited the me to do so.
Post-Art Making and Reflections – after the artwork is finished or a natural resting point arrives, comes the important part of being able to reflect together upon the artwork. My role here is to facilitate the wondering upon what the images may mean or hold for you today.
It is important to note that sometimes there is more talking and walking and less art making and sometimes the reverse can be true. Environmental Art Therapy offers us the opportunities to harness spontaneity and to adapt to changing needs within each session. Sometimes there is a resistance to making art in the beginning, which then often shifts the structure of the sessions, until the materials can be engaged with. Not everyone is ready to use the art materials straight away. Some people prefer to create art in silence and others prefer to reflect and narrate throughout the creative process.
Since artworks do not have fixed meanings, they offer us a chance to see what they may have brought in terms of thoughts or feelings in that moment. With my help and gentle support, I can assist you in noticing what might be relevant in the content of the work and therefore, useful for us to think about, explore and hold together.
At the end of each session, I will encourage you to check-out of the space, this may be a reflection on what we have been working on, an affirmation or a comment of hope as to what the following week may provide for you. The closing and goodbye from each session is a chance to offer a safe transition from the therapeutic space, back into everyday life.
Five Further Art Therapy Sessions
In my experience six weeks is a sufficient amount of time, to decide if we can form a trusted therapeutic relationship together. We can and will, review the work and your progress within this timeframe. It’s important to remember it can take time for an unguarded professional relationship to grow. In order to honour the therapeutic alliance that we will be working towards, it’s of value to acknowledge the time this may take. Allowing yourself adequate space to process the material that is being brought, is another beneficial part of the journey.
Giving yourself a proper opportunity to work with the natural materials, is also something else to consider and if at the end of our six weeks together, you don’t feel like working in environmental art therapy is best suited to you, I will endeavour to refer you to a colleague who may work within an alternative discipline of psychotherapy. If this is the case, we will spend some time reflecting on this together before we say goodbye.
Further Environmental Art Therapy Sessions
If at this stage of the journey you still feel comfortable in using the natural materials and natural environment and in what we are building together, the sessions and the work can continue on an ongoing basis, with regular reviews to ensure that the sessions and the space, continue to meet your needs.
Environmental Art Therapy Sessions – Working towards an Ending
We will regularly review and reflect upon your progress, at all stages in our work together. When you are beginning to feel better you can choose when your therapy ends, and I would encourage you to do so. However, I would ask that we think carefully about this together. Having a sudden ending is often inadvisable; planning and working on how we will say goodbye to each other, is so important.
Ending Art Therapy Session
This is our opportunity to put into practice, what we have planned together. As a moment to acknowledge all you have achieved, to say goodbye to our work, to your artworks (if necessary) and to say goodbye to each other.
“The Earth is what we all have in common” – Wendell Berry