Benchmarks’ Partnering for Excellence (PFE) joins forces with County Department of Social Services offices, LME/MCOs, and private providers to address the trauma related needs of children involved in the child welfare system. Knowing that children involved in child welfare are more likely to experience trauma than their non-involved peers, the partnerships work to screen these children for trauma and connect them to an assessment to address their needs. In response, Benchmarks designed the TiCCA, or Trauma-intensive Comprehensive Clinical Assessment, to holistically identify the trauma-related needs of youth and their families. To meet the unique needs often associated with trauma, Benchmarks encourages TiCCA clinicians to think outside of the box when formulating recommendations. Clinicians are encouraged to think beyond behavioral health concerns and consider incorporating alternative treatment modalities in their recommendations as they see fit.
While some recommendations may be considered “alternative” it does not mean they are less effective. In fact, there is a growing body of research that shows the efficacy of alternative recommendations when treating trauma-related mental health disorders. With spring in the air, it seems appropriate to spotlight a promising treatment modality known as nature-based interventions or NBIs. Research suggests that NBIs can be a powerful addition to evidence-based treatments to help individuals improve well-being and heal from a variety of mental health disorders that stem from the experience of trauma such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is a nature-based intervention?
According to a 2019 study published by Shanahan et al., NBIs are programs, activities or strategies that aim to engage people in nature–based experiences with the specific goal of achieving improved health and well-being. Nature based interventions can include a variety of activities including horticulture therapy, forest-bathing, animal assisted therapy, and wilderness adventure therapy.
What are the benefits of NBI?
Those who have experienced trauma are at higher risk of suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, difficulties with attention, and toxic stress. Studies have shown that involvement in nature-based interventions can elicit numerous benefits to health and well-being that can counter the effects of trauma on the brain and body. For example, youth involved in 10-week wilderness adventure therapy programs have shown statistically significant improvements in behavioral and emotional functioning as well as reduction in depressive symptoms that were maintained after a one year follow up from completion of the program. Horticulture therapy is another example of a nature-based intervention. Growing in popularity, horticulture therapy engages a person in plant-based activities like gardening to achieve specific treatment goals. Participating in horticulture therapy has been linked to reduction in bodily symptoms associated with PTSD such as sleep disturbance, high arousal, and flashbacks. Trauma can affect one’s perception of self, and involvement in NBIs has been shown to improve autonomy, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and promote a sense of purpose and belonging. Less structured NBIs such as forest bathing and simply walking or sitting in a natural green space have also been linked to lower cortisol levels (our body’s stress hormone) and improved mood.
Engagement in alternative treatment modalities, such as NBIs, can be just as beneficial as more widely accepted models of care and may be a lot of fun as well! Benchmarks appreciates our dedicated partners that are thinking outside of the box to promote healing and well-being for those who have experienced trauma.
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