S2 #08 What can nature teach us about coping with anxiety with Play and LandPlay Therapist Kate Macairt

The world is in crisis, from climate change, the Pandemic and now the Russian war in Ukraine. We are feeling the impact of this collective trauma in our bodies, and seeing anxiety levels rise higher than ever. Our sense of belonging is being questioned at all personal and public levels, and our feeling of being disconnected from ourselves and the Earth continues as technology and algorithms seem to be taking over our life choices.

It's time to put our wellies on and step outside into the mud as an antidote to the high tech indoor environment, and as a nurturing guide to express and calm our turbulent feelings. Of course, playing outside not only creates a close attunement with Nature, but it also allows children to transition and progress through what Sue Jennings calls the three play stages:

1/ Sensory - roll around in the grass, make mud pies.
2/ Constructive - 'I can take these sticks and make a magic wand'.
3/ Narrative - My wand gives me power to create a new world!

Kate Macairt has supported the forest school and outdoor education movement through her work as a teacher of Art and Play and Creative Arts Psychotherapist. She shares her 18 years experience with us and argues that it's time for us to reconnect back to ourselves through playing and creating in Nature because it's not enough for children to learn about war in the classroom, we have to help them feel, learn and express their feelings about war and other tumultuous change.

Kate has generously created an ebook - How nature can help us manage difficult times - for listeners of my podcast to download.

About Kate

Kate has been working with children and young adults for over 15 years as a Therapist and previously 18 years as a Teacher. The discovery of Play Therapy persuaded her to re-train and she moved from Creative Teacher to Creative Play Therapist. Kate’s passion and love of Mother Nature and spending time outside has infiltrated into her role as Teacher of Art and Play Therapist.

Kate supports the Forest School and Outdoor Education movement and she has worked for Circle of Life Rediscovery for several years. She helps facilitate at North Devon Forest School, and together with Ali Chown is a founder of the Collaboration of Outdoor Play Therapists. (COOPT). She founded Creative Spark in 2009 which provides Creative Play Therapy, SandPlay Therapy, Training and Clinical Supervision.

Instagram @katemacairt
For more information about Landplay outdoor play therapy training which is happening - April 2nd and 3rd 2022 visit www.creativesparktraining.co.uk or email creativespark.kate@outlook.com

Connect with Amanda Seyderhelm

Visit my website to download my free eBook 10 Simple Play Therapy Techniques You Can Use To Help Your Child With Grief, Loss and Change

If you are supporting a bereaved child, or know someone who is, you can purchase my books - Isaac and the Red Jumper (for 4-10 yr olds) and Helping Children Cope with Loss and Change

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