| Nature-based interventions (NBIs), a multidisciplinary term referring to the intentional
integration of nature to target holistic wellbeing goals, have been shown to provide counseling
aligned benefits for people with disabilities, including stress reduction, improved focus,
enhanced social competence, and meaning-making opportunities. Despite this evidence, current
rehabilitation counseling literature and other professional counseling literature contains nearly no
guidance on integrating nature-based interventions for clients with disabilities. This gap leaves
counselors unprepared to address both the therapeutic potential of NBIs and the substantial
barriers people with disabilities face in accessing nature. Using Q Methodology, I explored
expert perspectives on what is important for rehabilitation counselors and other counseling
specialties to know about NBIs when working with clients with disabilities. Factor analysis
revealed two significant viewpoints. Factor 1, the Inclusive Universalism Paradigm emphasized
NBIs universal, multidimensional benefits across physical, emotional, cognitive, and existential
domains. Factor 2, the Social-Ecological Justice Paradigm prioritized individualized, culturally
responsive approaches that address relational transformation, systemic barriers, and disability
justice concerns. Findings from this study suggest that both foundational knowledge of NBIs’
benefits and critical best practices in disability-specific, culturally informed implementation are
needed when using NBIs in counseling people with disabilities. Implications for counselor
education, clinical practice, and future research are discussed.
Keywords: nature-based interventions, rehabilitation counseling, disability, Q methodology,
counselor education, EcoWellness. |