Reorganisation in a traumatised relational field: the well-grounded therapist

"Abstract: Being in the natural world is widely understood as having a beneficial effect, and experience of place resonates deeply (Jordan and Hinds, 2016). This effect and the potential of nature as an integral element of therapists’ self-care warrant attention and exploration through a Gestalt lens. The authors’ curiosity about this relationship and its application to trauma work led them to experiment with direct and creative contact with the natural world. Here, we set out to do three things: to provide a theoretical context and rationale; to articulate the ways in which Gestalt thinking informs our approach; and to illustrate the transformative potential of this area of work. We make links between the literature and practices of ecopsychology/psychotherapy and Gestalt theory, principles and practice. We incorporate storytelling and conversation to illuminate embodied enquiry, intentionally situating the presence of our ‘selves’ as participant observers and co-authors. We draw reflexively on aspects of practice to illustrate the core thesis and the concept of ‘the well- grounded therapist’ noting that there are implications for therapists’ practices of self-care. Whilst placing a clear emphasis on trauma work in this article, the central argument is about the ethics and value of self-care as a dialogic relationship inclusive of nature, therapist and client, and is applicable to a wide range of therapeutic work and settings. Keywords: contact, dialogue, embodiment, ethic, field, natural world, self-care, regeneration, senses, trauma."