WILD WONDER
san diego Nature Therapy
San Diego nature therapy experiences
for healing, wholeness, and integration
“There can be occasions when we suddenly and involuntarily find ourselves loving the natural world with a startling intensity, in a burst of emotion which we may not fully understand, and the only word that seems… to be appropriate for this feeling is JOY”
— Michael McCarthy —
How many of us have been feeling STARVED for joy?
Relational Nature Therapy found me at a time when I was feeling deeply disconnected from joy.
Due to significant career changes for both my husband and I— shifting us into a difficult long-distance relationship, on top of a health scare and the onset of perimenopause, for many months I struggled to feel any sense of purpose.
I felt like a stranger to myself.
The depression and anxiety that runs in my family bloomed in my mind and heart. I felt resentful, stuck, and frustrated, especially given my background as a healer, coach, and wellness retreat leader.
I should be able to get myself through this.
But NONE of my old tools were adequate in shifting me into a different state.
Perhaps it was because I didn’t need another “tool”…
I needed a way to find myself at home in the world again.
Enter Relational Nature Therapy as taught and shared by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT).
I found such resonance and support from connecting to nature in this way that I decided to become a certified ANFT guide so I bring this form of Nature Therapy to you.
THE ANFT WAY
WHAT’S RELATIONAL
NATURE THERAPY?
It’s helpful to share what Nature Therapy isn’t:
It isn't EXERCISE
While there are many benefits to exercising (both indoors and out), Relational Nature Therapy is different than a typical walk or hike outdoors. The intention here is to experience an embodied relationship with the more-than-human world.
This also makes an ANFT experience accessible to those with mobility challenges.
It isn't traditional THERAPY or COACHING
Both coaching and traditional therapy have incredible value and an important place in someone’s healing journey. But, in a Nature Therapy experience, my job becomes to guide you into a state where you can receive the insight and wisdom that only nature itself can uniquely provide you.
ANFT likes to say, “Nature is the therapist, the guide opens the doors.”
It isn't MEDITATION
Most people find their Nature Therapy experiences to be deeply meditative, but we don’t intentionally cultivate mindfulness. Many of us are “living from the neck up” as it is and feel very disconnected from our bodies. (Did I eat today? When did I last get up and stretch? What did my kid just say? I was on my phone…)
Instead, in Nature Therapy, I help you find a state of bodyfulness… An embodied connection to life.
It isn't WILDLIFE BIOLOGY
Though myself and all other ANFT trained guides tend to know a lot about our wild friends, our purpose in guiding you is not to identify local wildlife or teach you the scientific names or medicinal properties of all the plants and trees we see.
Instead, I’m here to help you safely step into a liminal state of consciousness, where it becomes possible to embrace a new story of yourself and the world.
THE ETHOS OF NATURE THERAPY
Forest Bathing is not a discursive practice. Sensory, embodied, and emotive, it operates in the field of the most intimate contact we can have with nature: in our own evolved animal bodies.
This is the ecological vision of Shinrin-Yoku: the re-weaving of humanity into the living fabric of the world.
— J. Philip Grygny
While I’d love to tell you that Nature Therapy has been a magic bullet and all my problems are now resolved, that actually isn’t possible.
We are complex beings living in a complex time in a complex world.
There are no magic bullets.
But, if you, like me, have found that all your tried-and-true tools, tricks, and compensation patterns/coping mechanisms (even the healthy ones!) are no longer cutting the mustard, then perhaps you, too, may find a sense of solace, and renewed hope, belonging, and even JOY through one of my Relational Nature Therapy experiences.
What if the wild world not only desires your embodied presence, but sees, values, accepts, and loves you for exactly who you are in this moment?
What might that offer to your fractured heart and tired soul?
And what might you bring to our wild world, just by engaging with it in a new way?
Join me on an upcoming San Diego Nature Therapy experience. I can’t wait to share this practice with you!
READY TO EXPLORE?
UPCOMING NATURE THERAPY EXPERIENCES
Every 4th Sunday @ 11am-1:30pm
MONTHLY NATURE THERAPY WALK
Meet with me and a small group of like-hearted beings for a 2.5 hour Guided Nature Therapy Walk at the Santa Margarita River Preserve in Fallbrook, California. Start off your upcoming week with a soothed nervous system and renewed connection with intuition, motivation, and purposefulness.
Tea and snacks will be provided.
I had the most incredible, productive day EVER yesterday, and I believe it was due to our nature therapy walk. Thank you sooooo much! — Aimee S.
👇 Register BELOW for $44 / person
🌿 Add on a partner or friend for $77/total
FAQ
A’s to the Q’s you might not even know you want to ask…
What are the Health Benefits of Nature Therapy?
Everything from the aromas of the plants, to the green color story, to the soundscape of birdsong and breezes have been shown to have repeatable clinical health benefits to the human organism, going as far as to boost immune response to cancer and provide meaningful relief from anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
The web resource DoseofNature.org.uk notes:
“Hundreds of studies have been conducted amongst diverse groups, both clinical and non-clinical, and across cultures and age ranges (see ‘Research Studies’ for a selection of these with references), and have demonstrated that engaging with nature can:
The practice of Relational Nature Therapy as taught and certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) is designed to amplify the physical, mental, and emotional health benefits of spending intentional time engaged with nature without overly medicalizing the process.
On our walks, we will not be measuring vital signs or taking saliva tests to document changes in your stress hormones, but I think you’ll agree that, after a walk, your system feels noticeably more relaxed and at ease.
What Can I Expect on a Nature Therapy Walk?
A San Diego Nature Therapy walk is a peaceful, restorative experience that is suitable for a wide range of physical abilities. You don’t need to be able to do a vigorous hike to participate on a nature therapy walk, though please do inform me of any mobility challenges or injuries so I design a walk that’s appropriate to your abilities and kind to your body.
Each walk begins with a short introduction into Nature and Forest Therapy, and then I will begin guiding you (usually in a small group format) through a series of “invitations” designed to help you connect with the natural world.
Between invitations, we’ll gather, share, and listen to each other.
Witnessing and being witnessed is an essential and beautiful part of this process, and even though sharing might feel edgy or vulnerable, rest assured that I am highly experienced at holding and facilitating a safe space. Plus, you always have permission to share no words at all!
Silence, a gesture, or simply passing to the next person are all valid forms of sharing.
This practice is very much about learning to trust the validity of your own experience and honoring your curiosity and your needs.
At the end of the walk, we will circle up for some tea and snacks and share any closing thoughts with each other before we wrap up and gently make our way back.
A typical walk may only cover a mile or so of trail, as we often take a lot of time and space to connect with our surroundings.
What Do I Need to Bring?
You don’t need to bring much, but do plan for the day’s weather forecast, as we will be doing our walk rain or shine! We will only cancel our plans and reschedule our walk in the event of hazardous conditions.
I suggest you bring a water bottle, a sunhat, and a layer in case it cools down (or can be removed if it warms up). Wear comfortable outdoor-friendly shoes such as trail runners or light hikers with a decent amount of traction.
If you don’t feel comfortable sitting on the ground, you may also want to bring a light blanket or cushion to sit on. I usually bring a sand cloud beach towel, which works great and is light to carry!
Please let me know ahead of time if you have any food or plant allergies.
How Long is a Typical Nature Therapy Walk?
A typical San Diego Nature Therapy walk lasts approximately 2.5 hours. However, I can customize the experience to be complete in as little as 90 minutes, or create half- or full-day nature therapy programs.
To create a custom nature therapy experience, please contact me.
How Many People Usually Attend?
I have hosted walks as a one-on-one experience and with groups of between 2 and 8 people. An average walk will have 3-4 participants in addition to myself as your guide.
I am also available to curate Nature Therapy experiences for retreats, yoga studios, wellness practices, and corporate team-building.
Please contact me to set up a private or group Nature Therapy walk.
Where Will We Be Meeting?
Anywhere from a simple city park to a wildlands preserve can be a powerful setting for nature therapy; it does not have to occur only in pristine forests or deep wilderness.
I often host walks at the Santa Margarita River Preserve and Trail System in Fallbrook, California, but have many locations throughout San Diego in which to guide a walk.
Once you register for a San Diego Nature Therapy walk, I’ll let you know our specific meeting place.
What if it Rains?
We meet rain or shine! 🌧️ ☔️ 🌬️ If inclement weather is in the forecast, bring your rain or cold-weather gear. There is something really powerful about being out in the elements and connecting with the natural world at a time when you might otherwise choose to be inside.
If the forecast or onsite conditions become too hazardous, we will cancel and reschedule our walk.
Have additional questions, or want me to bring Relational Nature Therapy to your group, event, workshop, or retreat?
Fabulous! I love to collaborate.
Please reach out to me on the contact page and I will reply within 24 hours during the week.
See you on a walk, soon!
xo,