Terrariums as a nature-based art therapy for psychoterratic syndrome and solastalgia in the age of climate change

Abstract

This article aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of closed-system plant terrariums as a nature-based art therapy intervention for addressing psychoterratic syndromes—particularly solastalgia—arising from climate change–related environmental distress. A narrative and conceptual review of the literature on nature-based therapies, nature-based art therapy, eco-art therapy, and psychoterratic syndromes was conducted. In addition, a structured group workshop model utilizing the closed-system plant terrarium technique was developed based on theoretical frameworks and existing empirical evidence. Findings suggest that nature-based art therapy interventions facilitate emotional expression, ecological identity development, emotional regulation, and group connectedness. The closed-system terrarium technique offers a symbolic and sensory-rich medium that supports therapeutic distance, emotional containment, ecological hope, and active engagement with environmental grief and eco-anxiety. Closed-system plant terrariums represent a feasible, low-cost, and innovative nature-based art therapy approach for both clinical and preventive mental health contexts. Although indirect evidence supports its therapeutic value, further qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research is needed to establish its effectiveness specifically for psychoterratic syndromes and solastalgia.