Healing in Nature: Integrating Trauma-Informed Care With Nature Therapy Programs for Children

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Stress and Coping (Table 13)

Abstract

It investigates the healing and resilience-building effects of nature on young children impacted by pandemic-related stress and anxiety. By analyzing nature therapy activities, particularly a trauma-informed, eco-friendly program from Korea, the research shows how intentional interactions with nature can reduce children’s stress, anxiety, and depression, helping them regulate emotions. The findings suggest that forest-based interventions can enhance resilience in children, with implications for developing nature-integrated strategies in early childhood education and therapy. This highlights the importance of nature-therapeutic approaches in supporting children’s psychological well-being and adaptive capacities.

Authors

• Kyoung Jin Kim, University of North Texas

• Min Kyung Han, Song-Mind Psychiatric Clinic

• Seoyun Lee, Research Institute of Dongyoung Sustainable Development