Oak and grass sundial: Reciprocity in nature

The image in this post was made with oak leaves and grass: it points to the North, South, East, and West, marking time through shadow (the picture was taken around 4-5pm in early November). This environmental artwork was made when attending a three-day certificate program with the Center for Nature Informed Therapy (CNIT/Towson, MD). The certificate program provides a clear theoretical perspective with emerging science-based research around benefits of nature informed therapy. The program is culturally sensitive to a wide range of views of nature, and provides practical resources and training for preliminary client assessment with insurance-related issues for outdoor therapy. CNIT's goal is to train as many therapists as possible to be nature informed.

As an art therapist, I am excited to deepen a nature-informed practice of care because connection with a wider range of life forms supports somatic (direct body) connections with our evolved senses in present moments. Reciprocity and connection to the natural living world (either indoors or outside) promotes calm and reflection. The generative space that nature informed therapy opens up allows for more places of personal meaning & growth.