Evaluation of a Nature-based Psychological Intervention: Dose of Nature Young People’s Programme
Costanza Barbieri, Lucy Oldfield, Hilary Norman, and Georgina Gould
Citation: Barbieri, C., Oldfield, L., Norman, H., & Gould, G. (2026). Evaluation of a Nature-based Psychological Intervention: Dose of Nature Young People’s Programme. Journal of
Ecopsychology, 6, 1, 1-13. https://joe.nationalwellbeingservice.com/volumes/volume-6-2026/volume-6-article-1/
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Copyright: © Costanza Barbieri, Lucy Oldfield, Hilary Norman, and Georgina Gould, 2026. Published in the Journal of Ecopsychology by the National Wellbeing Services Ltd. This article is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license. Full terms of licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Processing dates: Submitted: 23rd December 2024; Re-submitted: 26th June 2025; Accepted: 17th September 2025; Published: 14th January 2026
Abstract
Background: With growing mental health and environmental concerns, the interest in the wellbeing and pro-environmental benefits that connection to nature brings is increasing, making mental health interventions that engage individuals with nature on the rise. This study examines a nature-based mental health intervention, DoN’s young people’s programme (15 to 25 years old), aiming to understand what it is about the intervention that benefits mental wellbeing. Evidence is needed to understand the underlying mechanism of the benefits brought about by these interventions.
Methodology: In this qualitative study, 1-to-1 interviews were conducted with 10 DoN clients and analysed with Thematic Analysis.
Results: Three themes underpin successful nature prescriptions: Connecting with Oneself (sub-themes: Self-Restoration and Self-Expression), Connecting with Others (sub-themes: Meaningful Relationship with Guide and Meaningful Relationship with Community), and Connecting with the Environment (sub-themes: Engaging the Senses and Emotional Bond to the Environment). The most present elements are Self-Expression and Emotional Bond to the Environment.
Discussion: Findings highlight the clinical value of a relationship to the natural world. There are a couple of limitations to the study: participants’ arguments could have been influenced by a social desirability response bias; and the present study cannot draw long-term conclusions on the benefits of the intervention. A randomized control trial with long term follow-up should be conducted for this purpose.
Conclusion: As most nature-based interventions focus on nature contact and knowledge-based activities, the current study provides valuable insight into an alternative approach, focused on fostering a relationship with the community and the natural world.
Keywords: Mental Health Crisis, Environmental Crisis, Young People’s Health, Service Evaluation, Nature-Based Interventions, Nature Prescriptions
Biographies
Costanza Barbieri is with the Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK
Email: cbarb005@gold.ac.uk
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2835-1250
Dr Lucy Oldfield is with the Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8570-0345
Dr Hilary Norman is with the Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0740-9592
Dr Georgina Gould is with Dose of Nature, London, UK. (Charity number: 1181216) https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1264-5304
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