Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy: Integrating the Expressive Arts and Ecotherapy

Description

Responding to the increased interest in the integration of expressive arts and ecotherapy, this book presents a nature based approach to expressive arts work. It provides an overview of the two fields, emphasizing how they can enrich and learn from each other, and highlights attitudes and practices in expressive arts that are particularly relevant to working with nature. This includes cultivating an aesthetic response to the earth, the relationship between beauty and sustainability, and lessons about art and nature from indigenous cultures. Four suggested structures for a nature based expressive arts activity - including writing, body, and ritual centered - are provided in the appendices. Review A rare kind of text, a work of beauty, and a testament to the interconnections among all forms of life. – From the foreword by Corrine Glesne, author of 'Becoming Qualitative Researchers' Sally and Melia encourage us to trust the materials of nature, wherever and whatever we find, to help shape the curves and movements of a mutually informed dance of expression. – Per Espen Stoknes, author of 'What We Think About When We Try Not to Think About Climate Change' A much needed and awaited book that will greatly contribute to expressive arts therapy. In a poetic way, it establishes the bases on a philosophical, theoretical and practical level for the integration of nature in the field of health, arts and transformation. Our world urgently needs us to start practicing and living the ideas of sustainability and care laid out by Sally and Melia. – Jose Miguel Calderon, PhD, Director of TAE Peru We have become postmodern slaves of an online world, obsessed with speed, in a manic push for economic growth. We try to fix the problems quickly in order to return to business as usual. Atkins and Snyder proclaim an expressive arts therapy, based on communion and ecological presence. Beauty is seen as a life force that awakens us, and inspires us to create hope. As we face new challenges we need new approaches of restoration and healing - Atkins and Snyder went a step ahead. – P.J. Knill, founding president of European Graduate School (EGS), and M. N. Fuchs Knill, Dean of the Arts, Health and Society Division of EGS About the Author Sally Atkins is Core Faculty of the European Graduate School, Switzerland and Professor Emerita and Founder of the Expressive Arts Therapy Program at Appalachian State University, NC. Melia Snyder is the coordinator of the Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate at Appalachian State University. Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy: Integrating the Expressive Arts and Ecotherapy by Sally Atkins and Melia Snyder Contents Foreword by Corrine Glesne Foreword by Per Espen Stoknes Acknowledgments Preface Part I: Beginning Introduction Purpose of the book Stories: The rootlets of our work The stories we are living Paradigm shifts: Recognizing our stories Organization of the book Part II: Moving In Chapter 1. Expressive Arts and Ecotherapy: Shifting Paradigms The field of expressive arts The field of ecotherapy Toward a nature-based expressive arts Summary Chapter 2. Stories from the Arts The long story of the arts Beauty Aesthetic response and responsibility Summary Part III: Insearch Chapter 3. Stories from Ecological Sciences The ecology of relationship Embracing process orientation Metaphors of wholeness: The story of Gaia Summary Chapter 4. Stories from Ecological Philosophy The universe story Ecoepistemologies Walking more gracefully in the world Summary Chapter 5. Stories from Indigenous Cultures Indigenous peoples Personal encounters with indigenous cultures Indigenous beliefs and practices and nature-based expressive arts Summary Part IV Finding Voice Chapter 6. Nature-Based Expressive Arts Cultivating an Aesthetic Response to the World [AQ] Theoretical integration Nature-based expressive arts: Basic concepts Stories of resilience Teaching stories Nature-based expressive arts in life Summary Part V: Bringing Art into Life Appendices Appendix A: The Nature of the Body by Lauren E. Atkins, MA, MFA Appendix B: The Pen and the Path by Melia Snyder, PhD, LPC, NCC, REAT Appendix C: Cherokee Drumstick Ritual: Helping Children to Find Their Beat on Mother Earth by Keith M. Davis, PhD, NCC Fire by Friction, Appendix D: Humility and Attunement by Justin S. Cantalini, MA, LPC, NCC and Erin Rice Cantalini, MA, LPC, NCC References Index