Addiction constitutes a persistent public health issue in the Philippines, with therapeutic communities (TCs) functioning as the principal approach to rehabilitation. Although TCs prioritize structure, discipline, and peer support, they frequently do not incorporate interventions targeting psychological well-being and ecological connectedness. Nature-based therapy (NBT), informed by restorative environment theory and ecological psychology, may improve recovery outcomes by facilitating stress reduction, emotional regulation, and resilience.
The objective of this study is to develop a culturally relevant framework for integrating nature-based therapy into therapeutic communities in the Philippines, thereby broadening the scope of holistic addiction rehabilitation.
A mixed-methods research design will be used. A mixed-methods research design will be used, which primarily includes qualitative interviews with staff and residents. This is to explore perceptions, needs, and cultural factors for the adaptation of the nature-based therapy in the TC program. This would be followed by a participatory action research, which should guide the co-development and pilot administration of structured activities, including mindfulness exercises and guided walks in natural settings, horticultural therapy, and eco-art practices. Acceptability and feasibility would then be assessed through participant feedback, preliminary outcomes, and systematic observations. The preliminary findings then would affirm that nature-based therapy can therefore complement the therapeutic community structures by supporting adaptive coping, strengthening social connections, and reducing perceived stress.
Incorporating NBT into the TC programming would offer a promising approach for the addiction recovery efforts in the Philippines. This framework, therefore, envisions supporting culturally responsive rehabilitation programs, informing clinical practice and policy, and also promoting sustainable, holistic recovery.