THE IMPACT OF A NATURE-BASED RETREAT ON THE SELF-CARE AND PEER SUPPORT INTENTIONS OF STUDENTS ENROLLED ON POST GRADUATE TRAINING IN EDUCATIONAL AND CHILD PSYCHOLOGY IN IRELAND: A PILOT STUDY

Time spent in nature is purported to impact positively on nature connection and psychological restoration. This paper reports on the impact of a nature-based retreat on the peer support and self-care intentions of a cohort of educational psychologists in training in Ireland. Opportunities for the group to meet in person were significantly curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The nature-based retreat facilitated re-engagement as a group in a socially -distanced manner. The retreat took place at a location in the Mid-West of Ireland in early Autumn. The habitat included flora and fauna, a river, a pond, a woodland area comprised of re-forested and re-wilded woodland and natural buildings. The retreat was comprised of individual, pair and group tasks, including nature connection activities. Following the retreat, participants (n=10) were invited to complete a survey to access their views on the impact of the retreat on their intentions with regard to self-care and peer support. Findings from the survey indicated that participants were positive about the experience of the group, nature-based retreat in terms of self-care and peer support prioritization and intentions. A conceptual framework for understanding nature-based self-care is proposed. Directions for future research are considered, particularly in the domains of professional training in educational psychology, self-care and peer support practices, and the potential of nature-based settings in other areas of EP practice.