Exploring Natural Materials: Creative Stress-Reduction for Urban Working Adults

ABSTRACT

The authors explored the therapeutic potential of introducing creative expression with nature-sourced materials in an indoor setting to urban working adults who were in good physical and mental health but experienced moderate to high levels of stress and lacked opportunities to spend time in nature. This art-based, organic inquiry uncovered qualitative themes in the participants’ responses when asked to express an aspect of their work life in two artworks: one with conventional media and one with natural materials. Participants reported that they experienced relief in their work-related stress and enjoyed the sensory experience of creating with natural materials without prior skill or preconceptions. Furthermore, the participants were inspired to be more playful, imaginative, and reflect on their lives outside of work through symbolic expression of reconnecting with nature.

KEYWORDS:

• Nature-based therapy
• natural materials
• art-based research
• organic inquiry
• urban adults
• stress reduction
• creativity in counseling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Minyoung Chang

Minyoung Chang, MA, ATR has received her Masters of Arts in Creative Arts Therapy from Hofstra University. She is in a Ph.D. program, majoring in Literary Counseling at Korea Counseling Graduate University. Following her thesis on the use of natural materials in art therapy with urban adults, Ms. Chang has provided art therapy workshops using natural materials with the homeless in New York. She has worked with a variety of populations, including homeless clients in a shelter and at a drop-in center in Brooklyn, NY. She has also worked with children with developmental disabilities in a child development center and is currently working with children, adolescents and adults in a counseling center in Seoul, Korea.

Dorit Netzer

Dorit Netzer, PhD, ATR-BC, LCAT is an assistant adjunct professor at Hofstra University Creative Art Therapy graduate program, School of Health Sciences and Human Services, Hempstead, NY. In addition, Dr. Netzer works with youth and adults in an art therapy private practice, specializing in interpersonal, creative development. She has published on the role of creative expression in healing, research, and transformative education. In her approach to therapy, education, and research she incorporates art and imaginal modalities, such as mental imagery and dream work. You may contact her at www.doritnetzer.com or [email protected], and see her other publications on Hofstra.academia.edu/DoritNetzer.