This narrative study aimed to explore the experiences of four professional helpers in engaging in outdoor activities. These activities involved multimodal natural education, horticultural therapy, adventure therapy, and forest care. The physical and psychological experiences derived from natural engagement were of interests, as well as the impacts of natural experiences on the helpers personally and professionally. The purpose of the current study was to understand the experiences and process of helpers while experiencing and experimenting the nature, the application and implication of these natural experiences on their professional practices, and the potential therapeutic functions that nature might have brought to individuals and their works. Purposeful sampling was adopted to include participants with related experiences. Semi-structural in depth interviews were conducted to collect qualitative verbal data. The interview contents were later written into life stories, which served for the following analysis and interpretation.
This research found:
I.Personal experiences in nature and professional practices
the helpers’ experiences can be divided into the following phases: positive experiences with nature during the initial stage, nature became part of daily life, incorporating nature into helping professions, acquiring nature-related professional training, and professional practices and promotion in natural/outdoor activities.
II. incorporative application of nature on helping profession
a.the wide diversity and profound richness within Mother nature played a part in advancing and expanding helping profession.
b.Nature inspired helpers to clarify their values and believes as a professional helper, so as to live out the spirit of humanity.
III. therapeutic functions of nature in human
a.positive impression on nature from early life had an impact on current and future life.
b.Mother nature is a holistic healer, who brought healing to the whole persons — body, mind, and spirit. This naturalistic way of care delivery could be utilized to help selves and others.
Based on the research findings, suggestions were made in terms of natural experimentation and helping profession, for future reference in practices and research.
