ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book. The book focuses on issues related to the phenomenon of environmental and ecological expressive therapies, building and deepening the case for recognition of the natural world in concepts of mental health and further enriching the application of expressive therapies to a nature-based understanding of wellness and health. It includes highlights of the work that expressive therapists from different parts of the globe have accomplished over the last several years to establish a new platform and instruments for environmentally sensitive therapeutic practices. The book also focuses on the variability of expressive and instrumental forms that can be applied in the context of the nature-based therapies: expressive music, dramatic performances and rituals, dance and movement, visual arts, narratives and creative writing, play therapy techniques and multimedia events. It presents a variety of practical approaches and tools used with different populations.
