Header image by Youhana Nassif on Unsplash
Putting nature-based health and therapy into practice – An international online symposium
16 November 2024
One year after the first-ever Environmental Physiotherapy Festival, we are excited to announce the next instalment in our growing list of events: How to put nature-based health and therapy into practice – an international online symposium.
Taking place in four 90 minute sessions, this symposium will feature presentations and discussions with international experts in this emerging field. Building on the most up-to-date research in the field, the symposium will provide clinicians with insights for the implementation of nature-based health and therapy into their day-to-day practice.
The symposium sessions are spread throughout the day to enable physiotherapists and other health professionals to attend at least one session in their respective timezone. Additionally, all sessions will be recorded and made available through the EPA YouTube channel after the event, providing an invaluable resource to all those wishing to put nature-based health and therapy into practice.
The symposium recording
The symposium sessions
To convert session times to your respective timezone please check https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html. All times below are in Central European Time (CET), with two session during morning hours (am) and two sessions in the afternoon/evening (pm).
Program
Physiotherapy and the physical therapies
Glenn Ruscoe (PT, Chair of the International History of Physiotherapy Association)
Indigenous perspectives on nature-based health and therapy
Oka Sanerivi (PT, Executive Committee Member of Physiotherapy New Zealand and Environmental Physiotherapy Association)
The gardening prescription for chronic pain
David Butler (PT, DEd, noigroup)
Nature-based interventions for physical health conditions
Nicole Struthers (MPT/PhD Student, Western University of Ontario, Canada)
Program
Guiding principles for developing nature therapy interventions
Richard Doran-Sherlock (M. Osteo, BA Mod.)
Nature-based allied health: Current practice, challenges and solutions
Jess Stanhope (PT, PhD, EPA, University of Adelaide)
Gardens to connect: Experiences from working with vulnerable populations
Betina Ringby (PT, Mouvo)
Nature-based rehabilitation in practice: Navigating opportunities and challenges
Lousie Sofia Madsen (PhD, Anthropologist), Researcher, DEFACTUM and The Rehabilitation Marselisborg Centre, Denmark
Program
Nature-based allied health practice: Creative and evidence-based strategies
Amy Wagenfeld (OT, PhD)
Outdoor environments for health and wellbeing
Lotta Lundmark Alfredsson (PT, MSc)
PaRx Canada: Experiences from a nature prescriptions and nature health movement
Laura Hergott, PaRx Coordinator
Climate, health and disability
Marcalee Alexander (MD, President of SustainOurAbilities and Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Climate Change and Health)
Program
A nature-based naturalistic teaching intervention, the impact on joint attention skills of autistic children
Melati Hapsari (PhD Student), Flinders University, Australia
Physical and perceived barriers to nature experiences for people with mobility impairments
Christina Faartoft (PT, BSc, VIA University College Denmark)
Nikolai Slot Bach-Svendsen (PT, BSc, VIA University College Denmark)
Reflecting on the place of plants in the Caribbean physiotherapy clinic
Stacy de Gale (DPT, Executive Board Member of World Physiotherapy, Trinidad and Tobago)
Using Virtual Reality cycling in a nature environment to enhance exercise experiences and engagement in people with osteoarthritic pain
Tasha Stanton (PT, PhD, University of South Australia)
Session chair
Jess Stanhope (PT, PhD, EPA, University of Adelaide)
Session chair
Filip Maric (PT, PhD, EPA & UiT The Arctic University of Norway)
Session chair
Filip Maric (PT, PhD, EPA & UiT The Arctic University of Norway)
Session chair
Jess Stanhope (PT, PhD, EPA, University of Adelaide)
Click here to register for the symposium
Keen to learn more about nature-based health and therapy prior to the event? Check out some of our courses and read the latest research on our nature-based health and therapy practice page here.