Terapirommet er ikke et nøytralt rom. Om Friluftssykehuset og potensialet i de fysiske omgivelsene for barn og unge i behandling.

Abstract

Background and aim: The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how we can use nature cabins and their natural surroundings therapeutically. Method: Published research of relevance for this therapeutic practice is discussed in relation to and informed by experiences from practice, collected through conversations with therapists using the Outdoor care retreat at Rikshospitalet in Norway. Results: The literature review demonstrates how therapy in nature cabins can influence cognitive and emotional processes. All physical environments carry symbolic meanings; therefore, no therapy setting is neutral, and the setting will affect the client and therapist. Place attachment may contribute to create a safe foundation for exploration and self-development. The experiences from practice demonstrate how nature and natural objects are rich in potential for the creative application of symbols in therapy and opens for different stories on growth and development. Conclusions and implications: The evidence-based approach of this article supplies a therapeutic rationale to use cabins in natural surroundings more strategically for positive therapeutic outcomes. Keywords: nature, architecture, therapy settings, hospital environments

The Meaning of the Physical Environment in Child and Adolescent Therapy: A Qualitative Study of the Outdoor Care Retreat

“…This type of research is seldom related to a generic focus on the meaning of the place for therapy or linking findings to common factors in therapy. Thus, there is a gap in the literature with regards to explaining precisely how place/therapeutic settings influence therapeutic interventions (Harper et al, 2021;Johnsen et al, 2022).…”