Therapy in Nature
How to find treatment for OIDV
1. Why Nature Therapy Fits CPTSD (Clinical Rationale)
There is strong international evidence (2020–2025) that nature exposure supports:
- ↓ cortisol (stress hormone)
- ↓ hyperarousal
- ↓ rumination
- ↑ emotional regulation
- ↑ attention and working memory
- ↑ sense of safety and grounding
This aligns directly with core CPTSD symptoms:
- hypervigilance
- dissociation
- emotional dysregulation
- cognitive impairment
Mechanism:
Nature helps shift the nervous system from threat (sympathetic) → regulation (parasympathetic)
Outside
Why OIDV Survivors Need a Different Model
Standard therapy assumes:
- safety
- trust in systems
- stable environment
OIDV survivors often have:
- ongoing perceived threat
- institutional mistrust (especially police)
- difficulty engaging in formal services
👉 Therefore:
Nature therapy works because it is:
- non-institutional
- non-threatening
- self-paced
- embodied (not purely cognitive)
Nature Therapy Model of Care
Safety & Stabilisation
Focus: nervous system regulation
Activities:
- quiet walking (no pressure, no talking required)
- sensory grounding (touch, sound, breath)
- “green prescriptions” (structured exposure to nature)
Clinical aim:
Reduce hyperarousal and create felt sense of safety
Cognitive Restoration
Focus: memory and attention recovery
Activities:
- guided observation (mindful noticing)
- low-demand tasks (walking trails, simple routines)
- repetition and predictability
Evidence base:
- Attention Restoration Theory (ART)
- linked to improved working memory + concentration
Reconnection & Identity
Focus: rebuilding self after trauma
Activities:
- nature journaling
- symbolic work (e.g., resilience metaphors)
- individual or group walks (optional, carefully facilitated)
Clinical aim:
Restore sense of self, agency, and connection
Social & Community Integration
Focus: safe relational engagement
Activities:
- individual or small, safe peer groups
- private community-based programs (non-police linked)
- culturally informed practices (e.g., connection to Country)
Strong supporting literature includes:
- Attention Restoration Theory
- Biophilia Hypothesis
- Ecotherapy
Key findings across studies:
- Nature reduces PTSD symptoms
- Forest bathing reduces cortisol
- Green exposure improves mood and cognition
- Nature-based interventions support trauma recovery