Empirical evidence on the curative and preventive effects of nature on mental health and well-being is growing. Nature, nature connectedness, and climate change are topics of increasing interest among psychotherapy associations and in psychotherapy and counseling research, theory, and practice. However, up to now, studies in this field have often focused on one psychotherapy/counseling modality or on one client group only – or they consist of small sample sizes. We conducted an explorative, cross-sectional online survey with a sample size of N = 1,190 that included psychotherapists being trained in different modalities (humanistic, behavioral, psychodynamic, systemic) to receive a wide range of perspectives referring to nature and nature-connecting methods in psychotherapy. Results reveal that psychotherapists perceive nature-connecting methods as highly relevant for psychotherapeutic practice enhancing, for example, the client-therapist relationship, and opening up new experiential spaces. Outcomes also point at possible potentials and aspects referring to the support of clients’ personal development and therapeutic progress (e.g., walking side by side in outdoor therapy, nature connectedness, silence in nature). Nature-connecting methods were judged to foster ecological awareness, sustainable attitudes, and to relate to emotional responses to the climate crisis in clients. Study participants also detected a lack of structured training opportunities and a range of challenges and risks (e.g., contraindications, loss of therapy room as safe space, legal issues). The empirical findings of our study contribute to the growing evidence in the field of nature-based psychotherapy and counseling and underline the necessity for further research in this context.

Background: A growing body of research supports the hypothesis that, by themselves, psychotherapy, nature exposure, and mild exercise have positive effects on mental health, in particular for depressed clients. In this pilot study, we investigate whether a study combining all three of these factors in walk and talk psychotherapy in a natural setting is feasible in an outpatient context. Methods: In this paper, we examine the experiences of participating psychotherapists. For this purpose, we performed a qualitative content analysis on seven semi-structured qualitative interviews comparing psychotherapy in an outdoor setting to psychotherapy performed in a traditional indoor setting. Findings: Our findings show that the psychotherapists encountered challenges in the outdoor setting, but that, overall, various advantages outweighed these challenges. The main challenges related to the outside setting that psychotherapists voiced in the interviews were a lack of a calm, controlled environment, as well as privacy concerns. On the other hand, the advantages of the natural setting were an experience of a deeper connection, as well as physical movement. Despite the challenges, the interviewed therapists felt positively about future outdoor psychotherapy sessions and saw this setting as an enrichment to their therapy. Conclusion: Their experiences also offer insight into how best to overcome common challenges, advantages to be expected, and what to consider when integrating an outdoor setting into therapy. Further research is needed to investigate both the experiences of clients and quantitative effects of psychotherapy while walking in nature.

This systematic review identifies and analyzes research on the application and effects of silence in music therapy to derive implications for future investigations and practical applications. A database search was carried out via PsycINFO, PubMed, Psyndex, and Google Scholar using specific keywords for the period between January 1, 2002 and May 1, 2024. Only original peer-reviewed empirical studies in English and German were considered. Five out of 89 studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. The results suggest that silence is a complex phenomenon that occurs in various forms in music therapy affecting relaxation, mood, rumination, and the perception of self, time, and space. Some authors define silence as a music-therapy method in its own right; others apply specific silence-related models. The presence of a music therapist and the therapeutic relationship influence the positive effects of silence in music therapy. The included studies must be discussed critically due to their heterogeneity in study design, research questions, and methodology. Future research on silence in music therapy is indicated.

Purpose: This study explores individual experiences during Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Technique), focusing on the perception of silence, darkness, and gravity. In Floatation-REST, an individual lies on the surface of highly saline water in a dark and silent environment, which typically leads to profound physical and mental relaxation. Prior research on Floatation-REST highlighted its benefits for both physical and mental health in otherwise healthy individuals as well as anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in people with a spectrum of anxiety and stress-related disorders. Methods: To delineate the float experience, a qualitative-empirical approach was employed engaging ten healthy participants, each of whom completed a 60-minute float session followed by a focused interview on the perception of silence, darkness, and gravity. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and MAXQDA software. Results: Silence was largely perceived as pleasant, evoking feelings of security, relaxation, and trust. Silence heightened sensitivity to auditory stimuli and deepened awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. Darkness, although generally experienced as less pleasant than silence, similarly facilitated enhanced introspection and mental-process awareness. Regarding gravity, sensations of weightlessness and the dissolution of body boundaries were associated with mental relaxation, security, and a feeling of lightness. Conclusions: Floatation-REST is being employed in studies to induce altered states of consciousness (ASC), as well as in therapeutic contexts to treat mental disorders. Similar to our study, future work could selectively focus on exploring the impact of the three major aspects of the floatation experience we assessed on ASC and therapeutic success.

Nature- and ecology-related topics are currently gaining increasing attention in healthcare and among healthcare professions. In music therapy, nature, nature-assisted approaches, and ecology have not yet been frequently discussed issues. Only few concepts and approaches have been developed and implemented so far. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey to gain more knowledge about music therapists’ perspectives concerning the implementation of nature and nature-connecting methods in music therapy. A total of N = 84 music therapists from Austria and Germany took part in our investigation. The survey included quantitative and qualitative items. For data analysis, we applied SPSS Statistics and qualitative content analysis. Results show that 75% of the participating music therapists have never or rarely conducted music therapy in nature so far. However, almost 67% of them estimated the potentials of integrating nature in music-therapy work to be (very) high. The more pronounced the nature connectedness and openness to experience, the higher the music therapists’ assessments of the potentials of nature in music therapy. Music therapists judged music therapy in nature to enhance the therapists’ diagnostic insights and listening to nature sounds to positively affect clients’ well-being. As for potential risks, heightened distraction and confidentiality breaks were ranked highest. These findings offer preliminary insights into music therapists’ attitudes and experiences concerning the integration of nature and nature-assisted methods in music therapy. Further studies are indicated to expand and deepen limited evidence.

Natur und Naturerfahrung sind wichtige Bausteine einer gesunden menschlichen Entwicklung und bedingen in positiver Weise psychische und physische Gesundheit. Globale Krisen, wie z. B. Klimawandel, Umweltzerstörung, wirken sich auch auf die menschliche Gesundheit aus. Psychotherapiekammern und -verbände appellieren deshalb an die Psychotherapeut*innenschaft, sich mit dem Thema Klimawandel auseinanderzusetzen und effektive Beiträge zu leisten. Naturverbundenheit und Eco-Anxiety sind zwei psychologische Konstrukte, die in diesem Zusammenhang mitbedacht werden sollten. Naturgestützte (psycho-)therapeutische Verfahren können z. B. Naturverbundenheit, pro-ökologisches und umweltbewusstes Verhalten befördern und Klimaangst reduzieren. Der vorliegende Beitrag bietet zudem Einblicke zu Natur und Psychotherapie aus Sicht dreier psychotherapeutischer Cluster (Psychodynamische Psychotherapie, Logotherapie und Existenzanalyse, Systemische Therapie), eine entsprechende Fallvignette aus der psychotherapeutischen Praxis sowie eine Kurzdarstellung der klinischen Studie «Psychotherapie im Gehen in der Natur für an Depression erkrankte Patient*innen». Psychotherapie verfügt über die Potenziale, um sich als wirksamer «Agent of Change» innerhalb des Diskurses «Klima – Natur – psychische Gesundheit» einbringen zu können.

Abstract Meaning in life and nature connectedness are indicators of a healthy life and correlate with health and well-being. We conducted a validation study of German versions of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (Steger et al. 2006) and Nature Connection Index (Richardson et al. 2019) and assessed mindfulness as a trait and personality (big five personality traits) among participating students (n = 353). Results indicated a significant positive correlation between nature connectedness and presence of meaning in life. Presence of meaning correlated significantly with less neuroticism, more openness to new experiences, greater conscientiousness, and moderately with the two mindfulness subscales, ‘acceptance’ and ‘presence’. Search for meaning was associated with more neuroticism and less acceptance. A higher nature-connectedness score correlated with more presence and acceptance (mindfulness), greater openness, and less neuroticism (personality traits). Furthermore, we introduce a nature-assisted model of meaning fulfilment that can be applied in healthcare practices, counselling, and (psycho-) therapeutic treatment. Our results contribute to growing evidence on the preventive and curative effects of nature connectedness and meaning in life and their role as health-related resources. Nature connectedness and meaning in life are effective resources considering various aspects related to (global) crises such as climate change and the corona pandemic.

BackgroundIntegrating natural environments into therapeutic practices is increasingly recognised for its positive effects on mental health recovery. However, there is limited research on how nature is utilised in psychotherapeutic treatments. This study aimed to fill this gap by providing initial data on the frequency and application of nature-integrating psychotherapy. Additionally, it explores psychotherapists' attitudes towards the potential and limitations of integrating nature into psychotherapy under practical conditions.MethodsA total of N = 1190 Austrian psychotherapists (mean age: 53.75 +/- 10.84 years; 74.9% female; 19.9% psychodynamic, 47.9% humanistic, 23.0% systemic, 9.2% behavioural) participated in a cross-sectional online survey assessing personality traits (Big Five Inventory), connectedness to nature (NCI), professional experiences in integrating aspects of nature in psychotherapy and estimated potentials and risks of nature-integrating interventions.ResultsThe majority of participating psychotherapists reported experience with conducting psychotherapy in nature (65.9%) and with integrating nature materials into their treatments (79.1%). Differences in some personality traits among psychotherapeutic orientations were observed, whereas the NCI did not differ. Overall, systemic therapists had the most positive attitude towards integrating nature into psychotherapy, whereas the opposite was observed for psychodynamic psychotherapists. Several aspects were found to also be affected by an interaction between orientation and gender.ConclusionsResults indicate that nature-integrating psychotherapy is both common and valued among Austrian psychotherapists, with differences observed across therapeutic orientations and genders. These differences highlight the need for further research to better understand the factors influencing psychotherapists' approaches to nature integration in clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION:There is growing evidence of the beneficial effects of exposure to nature on health and well-being. Time spent in nature can decrease stress, anxiety, depression, and improve mood. In the present study, we compared the experience of a short period of silence in the natural environment of a forest with the same amount of silence in a seminar room.METHODS:We applied an intra-subject design with two 6:30-min sessions of silence in two different environments (forest, seminar room). The participants (n=41) were assigned to four groups. Two groups started with the indoor condition and two groups with the outdoor condition. After 1 week, the two groups were exposed to the other condition. Participants filled out personality-trait scales on meaning in life and belief in oneness with the world, as well as state scales assessing emotional reactions, relaxation, boredom, and the subjective sense of self, time, and space.RESULTS:Participants felt significantly more relaxed and less bored in the forest compared to indoors. They experienced time less intensely, judging it to pass faster and to last shorter in the forest. Regarding trait variables, the higher the search for meaning, the higher oneness beliefs in participants. The higher oneness beliefs, the more positive participants felt during silence in the forest.DISCUSSION:Interest in nature-assisted therapy is increasing in the healthcare sector. Exposure to silence in the natural setting of a forest could prove to be an effective complement to interventions applied in nature-assisted therapy, such as forest therapy.

BACKGROUND:Long-COVID affects over 144 million people globally. In the absence of treatments, there is a need to establish the efficacy of therapies that improve patient outcomes. Forest bathing has been demonstrated to improve physical and mental outcomes but there is no evidence in Long-COVID patients. Accordingly, this pilot study sought to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of online forest bathing in adults with Long-COVID.METHODS:Feasibility was assessed by monitoring retention rates and participant feedback. In a waitlist controlled, repeated measures design, 22 Long-COVID patients completed weekly online surveys during a four-week waitlist control period, before engaging in four weekly online forest bathing sessions, completing post-intervention surveys following each session.RESULTS:In terms of retention, 27% did not provide post-intervention data, reasons for non-adherence were: feeling too ill, having medical appointments, or having career responsibilities. Compared with the waitlist control period, there were statistically significant improvements in Anxiety (49% decrease), Rumination (48% decrease), Social Connection (78% increase), and Long-COVID symptoms (22% decrease). Written qualitative comments indicated that participants experienced feelings of calm and joy, felt more connected socially and with nature, and experienced a break from the pain and rumination surrounding their illness.CONCLUSIONS:Online Forest bathing resulted in significant improvements in well-being and symptom severity and could be considered an accessible and inexpensive adjunct therapy for Long-COVID patients. Where people have limited access to in-person nature, virtual nature may offer an alternative to improve health and well-being outcomes.

Previous approaches regarding the topic of silence in music therapy can be characterized as versatile and heterogenous. Explanations and statements are commonly heuristic- based and derived from personal experience. Empirical research on this topic is lacking. The authors conducted a series of five non-clinical studies with healthy students (study 1: n = 60, study 2: n = 64, study 3: n = 84, study 4: n = 46, study 5: n = 12). Each study condition included silence in duration of 6:30 minutes. In some cases, silence was preceded by Depth Relaxation Music Therapy (DRMT)/Hypnomusictherapy (HMT). The studies vary according to setting (outdoors in a natural setting, indoors in university rooms/group or individual setting). Four studies (studies 1 to 4) include a quantitative research design (studies 1, 2, and 4: non-randomized, repeated measure design; study 3: variation of an American study published in the journal Science) and one study (study 5), a qualitative research design (group discussion, qualitative content analysis). Results clearly indicate the effectiveness of silence at different levels, including relaxation, self-awareness, mood, emotion, rumination, perception of space, perception, and sense of time. Considering these findings, further research activities on the effects of silence in the field of music therapy are indicated. Moreover, the status of silence as a topic in music therapy research, practice, and theory needs to be re-evaluated.

While various psychotherapeutic approaches have been considered among music therapy’s development and reflections, existential analysis and logotherapy (EALT) – the Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy – have hardly been taken into account. Founded by Viktor Frankl, his psychotherapeutic assumptions focus on the importance of meaning in life. The following contribution provides a brief overview on EALT in light of other psychotherapy approaches as well as in relation to music and music therapy. The subsequent discussion is then presented from a music-therapy perspective and includes logotherapy’s methods, value categories, anthropology, spiritual dimensions of human being, and other theoretical aspects. The debate finally evolves into the idea of a meaning-oriented music therapy. This may serve as an incentive to understand and establish music therapy from a meaning-centred perspective. Such music therapy is indicated when the search for meaning becomes a theme in therapeutic processes and crises of meaning take center stage.

Meaning is a distinct resource and indicator of human health and well-being. Meaning in life and the search for it predict subjective well-being. In logotherapy and existential analysis, the human will to meaning is considered the prime motivation in human life. Founded by Viktor Emil Frankl, this meaning-centered approach in psychotherapy is often called the Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy. Although there is evidence that meaning can be actualized through music, music therapy has hitherto hardly focused on the concepts and theory of logotherapy and existential analysis. This contribution closes this gap by introducing a meaning-oriented approach to music therapy and an adaption of Frankl's model of meaning fulfillment to music therapy. A case example demonstrates the practical application in the clinical context of palliative care. Meaning-oriented music therapy is not a separate form of music therapy, but complements existing concepts and theories in modern music therapy. It is indicated when meaning-related topics take center stage in music-therapy sessions.

Research on the perception of silence has led to insights regarding its positive effects on individuals. We conducted a series of studies during which individuals were exposed to several minutes of silence in different contexts. Participants were introduced to different social and environmental settings, either in a seminar room at a university or in a city garden, alone or in a group. Instructions across studies varied, as participants were exposed to real waiting situations, were asked to just think and to explicitly experience the time interval without further instructions or following a session of Depth Relaxation Music Therapy (DRMT)/Hypnomusictherapy (HMT). Silence was judged to significantly increase relaxation, improve mood states, and alter the perception of time and the orientation toward the present moment. We controlled for influences of trait variables, such as impulsivity, mindfulness, daydreaming, and time perspective. Findings empirically demonstrate that exposure to silence can be effective in therapeutic and educational contexts to promote relaxation and well-being.

Research on the perception of silence has led to insights regarding its positive effects on individuals. We conducted a series of studies during which individuals were exposed to several minutes of silence in different contexts. Participants were introduced to different social and environmental settings, either in a seminar room at a university or in a city garden, alone or in a group. Instructions across studies varied, as participants were exposed to real waiting situations, were asked to just think and to explicitly experience the time interval without further instructions or following a session of Depth Relaxation Music Therapy (DRMT)/Hypnomusictherapy (HMT). Silence was judged to significantly increase relaxation, improve mood states, and alter the perception of time and the orientation toward the present moment. We controlled for influences of trait variables, such as impulsivity, mindfulness, daydreaming, and time perspective. Findings empirically demonstrate that exposure to silence can be effective in therapeutic and educational contexts to promote relaxation and well-being.

Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich mit dem Themenfeld Musik – Gesundheit – Wohlbefinden. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf den Potenzialen von Musik im Kontext psychischer Gesundheit. Die Annäherung erfolgt auf dem Fundament ausgewählter Modelle psychischer Gesundheit (Regulationskompetenzmodelle, Sinnfindungsmodell, Selbstaktualisierungsmodell) sowie unter Einbindung einer Fallvignette. Musik ist ein wirksamer Beitrag im Rahmen der Pflege, Förderung und Behandlung psychischer Gesundheit.

This article presents the results of a study which focused on the application of combined Hypnomusictherapy (HMT)/Depth Relaxation Music Therapy (DRMT) and silence in preventing music performance anxiety (MPA) in music students. Participants (n=12) were divided into two groups. Each group received either 16 minutes of HMT/DRMT followed by 6:30 minutes of silence or a 16-minute seminar consisting of a moderated group discussion on silence followed by 6:30 minutes of silence. Each of the two groups experienced the alternative condition (within-subject design) with one week in between. Focus groups were held for data gathering after each session. Qualitative content analysis according to Mayring [1,2] was applied to analyze the data. Silence following DRMT/HMT was perceived as more relaxing and longer lasting than silence following the seminar. Participants reported that their distracting or depressing thoughts decreased and their auditive perception of silence changed during the combined silence and DRMT/HMT. The results indicate that the procedure can help prevent MPA.