Curiosity and belief in the future
The therapist's ability to awaken interest and belief in the therapeutic project is a crucial factor in therapy. Children often react with surprise and wonder when they are told about the chance to visit a cabin near the hospital. This can help the child to come into a state of focused attention, which gives them easier access to their own resources and makes them more open to suggested solutions. Additionally, the therapists find that the environment in and around the cabin helps the child to be more accepting of supportive suggestions such as 'this will go just fine' and 'we will get through this together'.
Children often react with surprise and wonder when they are told about the chance to visit a cabin near the hospital
When out in nature, people are more open to fantasy, wonder and play compared to being indoors. This gives therapists the opportunity to actively incorporate nature into their therapeutic work. Therapists feel that they have access to a wider range of perspectives and creative approaches in the cabin than in the hospital. Let us look at some typical examples: A therapist and her patient saw a grey heron land outside the Outdoor Care Retreat, and the therapist used this to say that herons only come when someone says something important. Another therapist observed that the child was not afraid of handling spiders, and used this as a conversation starter by asking for advice. Through the use of metaphors from nature, children and adolescents have the chance to experience wonder and externalise their problems (18).
Children who are anxious in hospital and find it difficult to trust healthcare professionals often require a long time to feel safe. The therapists meet with patients and family members who have a need to talk about their fears, process difficult experiences or understand their own or someone else's illness. Many children are tired of 'talking about it' and mistrust the hospital staff. Some are in hospital for only a short period of time, so it is important to establish a safe relationship quickly. The therapists find that the children feel safe with the healthcare professionals much more quickly when they are at the Outdoor Care Retreat than inside the hospital. The physical change in the children can be observed immediately when they leave the hospital and walk towards the cabin. They relax, look around freely and begin to talk. The natural surroundings allow for a different, often closer, therapeutic relationship.