Ariana Candell, LMFT, R-DMT, Ecotherapist, is a licensed psychotherapist with 20-plus years experience and a pioneer in the emerging field of Somatic Ecotherapy. For the last decade, she has been an active leader in transforming the field of psychotherapy to include connecting to the natural world as an essential part of healing.

Ariana is founder of The Earthbody Institute, a professional, educational, and transformational forum dedicated to the cultivation of dynamic mutual relationships with the natural world. She is creator of the groundbreaking Professional Ecotherapy Training and Certification Program, now entering its fourth year. She facilitates workshops locally and internationally, including Online Ecotherapy Certificate Programs, Ecotherapy Immersion Programs and consultation groups. She also teaches Ecotherapy seminars as an adjunct professor at John F. Kennedy University.

Ariana believes that developing a consistent nature connection practice with elements of somatic awareness and openness to the sacred can foster a more holistic and balanced way of life. She is devoted to her own daily spiritual practice in nature, and encourages her private clients and students to develop their own practice. In all of her programs, she facilitates creation of a strong Earth-honored community, fulfilling an ancient human need of experiencing a profound connection to the sacredness of all beings.

Ariana is thrilled to be practicing Ecotherapy outdoors in the East Bay hills with more than half of her individual clients, and also brings the power of nature indoors to her private practice in Berkeley. Her main therapeutic influences include Hakomi Mindfulness-Centered Somatic Psychotherapy, Somatic Ecotherapy, Dance Movement Therapy and Earth-based trainings from The School of Lost Borders.

Ryan Van Lenning, M.A., is an inner and outer wilderness guide and Founder of Wild Nature Heart. Certified as an Ecotherapist through The Earthbody Institute, he is passionate about facilitating re-connections with wild nature and our most authentic selves to assist in the work of repairing broken belonging.

Ryan is also an earth poet, author of Re-Membering: Poems of Earth & Soul, and High-Cooing Through the Seasons: Haiku From the Forest. He has published work in Earth Island Journal, Deep Time: The Journal of the Work That Reconnects, Terrain Magazine, Elephant Journal, various poetry journals, and in A Walk with Nature: Poetic Encounters that Nourish the Soul.

"I know what it is like to abandon oneself. And I also know what it looks like to listen to your authentic inner voice and deepest longings to create the life you desire. If you are wanting to feel a sense of deeper belonging to yourself, your calling, and to wild nature, let's talk. When I listen, I listen with all my ears—opening my pores up to absorb the information I am receiving, not just from words, but the body, symbols, and energies. My intention is to listen deeply with my mind, heart, soul, & body to honor the psyche's journey towards wholeness. Contact me for a FREE 30 minute discovery call to see if it is a good fit."