Biophilia and Social Work: Advancing Nature-based Health and Healing Perspectives in Social Work Practice and Education

Abstract

The human connection with Nature is rooted in a symbiotic relationship that fosters harmony and balance. Humans have an innate need to be in contact with Nature, relying on it for essential resources such as food, shelter, medicines, and overall well-being. In return, it is the responsibility of humans to become stewards and caretakers of Nature. This reciprocal relationship between living beings and the non-living environment is captured by the concept of biophilia. In social work, biophilia is emerging as a promising approach to mental health practice. This article aims to explore the significance of biophilic health and healing practices in mental and physical well-being. We established inclusion and exclusion criteria and systematically searched for articles in databases published between 2010–2022. Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria and were used for in-depth analysis. The findings highlight that nature-based health and healing practices effectively address a range of mental and physical health challenges. These approaches also promote equity and justice within healthcare systems, particularly benefiting Indigenous populations worldwide. Integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices—such as nature-based interventions, green therapy, and traditional healing methods—into social work education can better prepare students to collaborate with Indigenous communities and individuals from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds across all areas of social work practice.