The nature of art therapy: uniting human and planetary health

We are delighted to announce the publication of the 2025 special issue on nature-based art therapy, which includes six practice-based papers. With rapidly growing evidence showing that building a closer relationship with nature is necessary to achieve a sustainable future (United Nations, Citation2021), there is a timely need to understand the role of art therapy in promoting both human and planetary health.

For far too long we have considered ourselves as separate from, and superior to the more-than-human world (Heginworth & Nash, Citation2020; Stevens, Citation2024). The ecological emergency is a strong message that we need to move beyond this anthropocentric worldview, towards an eco-centric worldview whereby humans are part of nature with the same value as all living beings (Gagnon Thompson & Barton, Citation1994; Stokols, Citation1990).

Nature-based art therapy is theoretically underpinned by the principles of eco-psychology and eco-therapy, according to which personal healing is stemming from mindful immersion in nature; this in turn empowers people with an ‘invigorated capacity to conserve the Earth’ (Clinebell, Citation1996; de la Motte, Citation2015). Through this reciprocal process, healing in nature is also healing for nature (Harper et al., Citation2019; Rust, Citation2009).

Nature-based art therapy can be beneficial in de-stigmatising ‘therapy’, creating a more accessible space for people who may find it challenging to engage in traditional therapeutic environments, and (re-)connecting people with nature. With nature as ‘co-therapist’, we can approach existential themes of impermanence, life and death, loss and new beginnings. (Boon, Citation2020). We may also experience personal or spiritual growth and find meaning in life by witnessing the beauty and awe inspired by nature (Summers & Vivian, Citation2018).