In Santa Barbara, CA

Unceded Chumash Land

Nature Therapy

nATURE AS CO-THERAPIST

Two silhouettes of friends sitting on boulders under a pepper tree

We all have a relationship with the world around us, and unfortunately we are becoming more and more estranged from our natural environment. This offering allows us to get into nature and integrate nature into our sessions. Nature is a healing force that has a lot of wisdom it is waiting to show us. Nature therapy is for all who are interested, from children to adults. 

I will work with you before-hand over telehealth to discuss how we will integrate nature into your healing, as it will be unique for everyone. Typically it will look like finding a public space in nature to meet, and build your relationship and connection with the land by returning repeatedly. When we improve our relationship with nature, we improve our relationship with ourselves and with each other.

If this will be for your child, it will allow us to take our play and creative expression outside. Nature will be the co-therapist. Activities we do will vary and depend on what you’re needing, but you can expect various levels of using mindfulness, movement, exploration, curiosity, and artistic expression. 

Unceded chumash land

Santa Barbara is on Unceded Chumash Land that was once home to many great villages and a thriving balanced ecosystem. Nature therapy has its roots in indigenous wisdom of understanding our interdependent relationship to life around us and the many healing powers of nature. The stewards of the land formed important symbiotic relationships with the plants and animals, which we have a lot to learn from. Unfortunately, these relationships have been threatened for generations due to colonization and land theft. Currently, there are initiatives for returning the land back to the original stewards to heal and regenerate the land so life can be supported for generations to come.

To learn more about land back initiatives in CA:

https://sogoreate-landtrust.org

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/04/26/a-step-towards-healing-and-restoration-california-to-support-the-return-of-ancestral-tribal-lands-and-lands-management-projects/

To learn more about Chumash history:

SBCC West Campus signs

Chumash Indian Museum in Thousand Oaks, or go to their website for free educational videos:

https://www.chumashmuseum.org/educational-resources

Research & resources

Nature therapy is a growing field with exciting new research that reinforces what indigenous knowledge has shared for generations. Spending time and improving our relationship with nature has been shown to decrease anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as improve self-esteem and confidence. When we improve our relationship with nature, we improve our relationship with ourselves and with each other.

Two people hugging a sequoia

  • Nature therapy is a form of psychotherapy that acknowledges the vital role of nature and addresses the human-nature relationship. It takes into account the latest scientific understandings of our universe and the deepest indigenous wisdom. This perspective address the critical fact that people are intimately connected with, embedded in, and inseparable from the rest of nature.

  • Location will be discussed and decided together prior to first session.

  • Lack of privacy is an inherent risk of nature therapy in public settings. In my experience, privacy has not been an issue with our expansive nature spaces and our community’s respect for one another.

  • I’m available to work one on one or in small group settings. I currently have a nature group therapy for preteens running for the Winter 2025 season. Enrollment for Spring 2025 is open now, see groups tab for more information.