The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological growth and transformation involved in an individual's immersion in a natural environment. An exploration of mankind's psychological relationship with nature and alienation from it, as well as the ways in which exposure to nature is fundamental for well-being, provided a foundation for the present study. A review of related psychodynamic theories established a conceptual lens for understanding the processes of psychological growth and transformation in nature.

The method of the present study involved a qualitative analysis of an individual's subjective experiences of immersion in nature. The sample included eight participants, diverse in age, gender, profession, and nature-based activities. A semi-structured, face-to-face interview format allowed a detailed and rich exploration of respondents experiences in the natural environment.

The results of this exploratory study revealed two distinct modes of relating with nature (based either on comfort and soothing or being “up-against” challenges). Participants' intricate and diverse object relationships with nature were central to their experiences. Many important themes emerging from the present study were related to psychological growth and transformation and included processes associated with gaining perspective, authenticity and spontaneity, and continuity of relationship over the life-span.

In the discussion, the reviewed psychodynamic theories were applied to the thematic analysis of the results. Additional theoretical constructs were utilized to explain unanticipated empirical findings. Each process of psychodynamic growth was discussed in the context of the two modes of relating to nature. Transformation was seen to occur through psychodynamic processes related to containment, non-pathological regression, the holding environment and environment-mother, the transformational object and aesthetic moment, the idealizable selfobject, true self experiences, self-other differentiation, and healthy narcissism.