Mother Nature: nurturing new mums.

The article focuses on The Mother Nature Project, a forest therapy initiative designed to support mothers experiencing postnatal mental health difficulties through nature-based interventions. Forest therapy, which involves guided sensory experiences in natural environments, has demonstrated measurab...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Healthcare Counselling & Psychotherapy Journal pp. 14 - 19
Autor principal: Duggan, Lucy
Formato: pictorial Journal Article
Publicado: British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy Jul2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:The article focuses on The Mother Nature Project, a forest therapy initiative designed to support mothers experiencing postnatal mental health difficulties through nature-based interventions. Forest therapy, which involves guided sensory experiences in natural environments, has demonstrated measurable benefits for stress reduction and mental wellbeing. The project, led by psychiatrist and forest therapy practitioner Dr. Katherine Hall in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, emphasizes co-designed, flexible group sessions that accommodate diverse cultural, physical, and psychological needs. The intervention combines forest bathing and the five pathways to nature connectedness, aiming to create safe, accessible spaces for mother-baby dyads and is currently undergoing feasibility testing with plans for NHS integration. Additionally, the article highlights the Light Box forest therapy training programme, which provides evidence-based practitioner education blending scientific research with experiential learning.