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ERIC Number: ED439861
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1999
Pages: 21
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Nature Connected Psychology: Counseling, Environmental Education and Native American School Activities That Let Earth Teach.
Cohen, Michael J.
Contemporary society has trained us to prejudicially view and fear the sensual and nature as an enemy, villain, or child that must be developed, improved, or managed. By learning and teaching the Natural Systems Thinking Process, we may reverse destructive thinking by letting nature itself help us bring sensations and their integrity back into our consciousness, reasoning, and relationships. The Natural Systems Thinking Process is a nature-connected psychology that uses verbally shared sensory contacts with attractions in nature to improve personal, social, and environmental responsibility. It connects our psyche with 53 unique attractions found throughout nature. Attractions are things in nature that draw things together, as opposed to abstractions, which draw away from or disassociate. In 1996-98, a counselor applied the process to a group of students deemed "uneducable" due to abuse, poverty, addictions, poor self-esteem, suicidal tendencies, and behavioral disorders. The students showed improved psychological test scores; reduced stress, depression, sleeplessness, and drug use; and higher self-esteem. Every student's attendance and academic performance improved, and no indications of drug use were observed 60 days after the program ended. The students also bonded with a nearby trashed natural area and cleaned it up. The students sensed that the natural area, like their own nature, wanted to recover from the abuse it received from society. (Contains 25 references.) (TD)
Publication Type: Opinion Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A