What the participants say. . .

Well grounded ecotherapy training that transformed my way of working with clients…

“Historically, my work in the Natural World and my clinical work were separate, compartmentalized.  On one hand, there were my outdoor workshops and on the other, my indoor psychotherapy practice. This course furnished me with the training I needed to seamlessly integrate my work in the natural world into my private practice.  I was provided scholarly and well grounded ecotherapy training that transformed my way of working with clients. It is relevant, sustaining and life giving. My practice is forever changed.”

~ Sherylyn Pitt, MSW LCSW LCAS

The course gave me the theoretical foundation and guided me along the journey…

“This course not only gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone to do something that I have been contemplating for some time, it gave me the theoretical foundation and guided me along the journey with the readings, webinars and homework assignments. This was my first time doing a class online (other than watching a pre-recorded webinar), and it was a very positive experience. Ariana’s wisdom and experience showed throughout the course.”

~ Shannon Waliser, LISCW, MPA

I appreciated Adrián’s facilitation, his expertise in the WTR, rituals, and in his ability to navigate difficult conversations around cultural appropriation, land acknowledgment, etc…

“He modeled the work perfectly and is passion-driven, which is always inspiring.”

~ Dr. Shannon Sloan-Spice

“Adrián was a lovely leader – he is calm and compassionate, quiet yet commanding. He clearly has deep knowledge but at the same time is very good at allowing the participants to speak, have input, feel respected, basically to coach, to lead.”

~ Taryn Jollimore

Lili was a great teacher! I found her consultation very helpful…

“…her way of facilitating both gently supportive and inspiring, and her experience great to learn from.”
~ Participant in Level 1 Online Ecotherapy

“Lili is a gem, very affirming with an ability to listen deeply and affirm student’s strengths. Her feedback was helpful and thoughtful. I enjoyed many of my group dyad interactions. -Teresa Reinhardt

~ Sarita Jessica Benn-Towle, AMFT

A safe, supportive space…

“Kellum did a wonderful job facilitating the course. It’s evident that Kellum is passionate about this work. He created a safe, supportive space that allowed for honesty and disagreement…”

~ Melissa Renzi, MSW, LSW

Integration of queerness…

“I really appreciated Kellum’s experience and skill as a clinician… I liked the integration of queerness into the work and exploring this more deeply.

~ Lexi Sevario, LMSW

The knowledge, education, friendships, and love that you will feel during this experience, is incredible…

“Ariana and Kai are two incredible women who have passion and drive for what they do. From calming your soul with connection to the natural world, moving without judgement, or simply reflecting and pondering on experiences, this training is an incredible opportunity to personally experience how to be successful in Ecotherapy…It gave me a better understanding and tools to help support not only my own nature practices, but also those I work with. The knowledge, education, friendships, and love that you will feel during this experience, is incredible AND it is a judgement free space…This training is an A+! I can not wait for more opportunities to work with these outstanding woman.”

~ Jamie Carrier, Certified Health Coach

Ariana reflects the strengths of the participants back to them so that they come to know their own abilities…

“Ariana holds space by offering such a perfect balance of acceptance and guidance. She does a beautiful job of reflecting the strengths of the participants back to them so that they come to know their own abilities. This training was a full and satisfying experience for both the heart and the head. Ariana has an impeccable sense of timing when it comes to program planning, and helping trainees plan their own workshop agendas. She is adaptable and strong in all the best ways and was extremely helpful in holding a vision of excellence for me that encouraged me to take action to build my own Ecotherapy practice. She showed me some key ways to make little changes to my own programs that have made a big difference.”

~ Katie Baptist, LCSW

Ariana covered the legal, ethical, and clinical issues thoroughly, and she contextualized it all with political, philosophical, and spiritual perspectives…

“I’d been dreaming for years about doing therapy in nature, but I felt nervous about the issues involved in taking clients outdoors safely. Ariana’s class was very holistic – she covered the legal, ethical, and clinical issues thoroughly, and she contextualized it all with political, philosophical, and spiritual perspectives. The weekly discussion forums and video conferences made me feel part of a learning community that was spread around the globe. I even got outdoors for my first ecotherapy session with a client! This course truly helped me expand my practice, and I did some personal and spiritual growth along the way.”

~ Kip Williams, MFT and Doctoral Student in Psychology

The training is open, yet gently ushers the learner to growing…

“This course was beneficial and welcoming of anybody who has any level of interest in the field of Ecotherapy. The training is open, yet gently ushers the learner to growing through academic, theoretical, practical, shared learning and thus creates a holistic learning experience. The course also offers an approach that is conducive to both clinical and less clinical participants – enabling learning to happen without superficial boundaries.”

~ Memona Hossain, Service Resolution Coordinator – working with children and youth, Ontario, Canada

A fabulous balance of practical and sacred approaches to ecotherapy…

“This program has true holistic integrity. The teachings, the teachers, the venue and even the food were all in alignment with healthy eco-consciousness. There was a fabulous balance of practical and sacred approaches to ecotherapy both from a personal and clinical perspective. The curriculum was applicable to those who are newly acquainted to the natural world and also to those who have an abiding devotion to ecotherapy. I highly recommend this program for individual and collective evolution as a practitioner and as a human on this planet, at this time.”

~ Sarita Jessica Benn-Towle, AMFT

Ariana’s Immersion course awakened my deep love … and joyful inner relationship with Nature…

“Ariana’s Immersion course was one of the most precious experiences of my life. It awakened my deep love …and joyful inner relationship with Nature. It strengthened my commitment to advocate for the Earth and healed much of my pain, guilt and shame for the harm being done. It inspired me to keep feeling and make choices to protect and heal the Earth.”

~ D. C., LMFT

Having several decades of experience being a student in professional trainings has shaped and honed my discernment for recognizing superlative teaching and facilitating, Ariana and Ryan, both individually and collaboratively, land fully in this field….

“The qualities that I value in this arena are all generously offered through presentations, invitations, inquiries for exploration, comments on posts, opportunities for and encouragement of active engagement in sessions, willingness to explore, availability and responsiveness, support, authenticity, vulnerability, humor, wisdom, kindness and compassion.

~ Marianne Rowe, LMFT, Founder of Monterey Bay Meditation Studio

“Ryan was fantastic. He was knowledgeable and most importantly, a great listener and guide….

“I greatly admired his mirroring skills, which have clearly been learned from Mother Nature herself. I have learned so much from Ryan and look forward to incorporating his techniques into my practice as well.”

~ Participant in Spring 2021 Ecotherapy Certificate Course

Ariana’s trainings have been monumental to my evolution as an ecotherapy educator, facilitator, and practitioner…

“Ariana’s trainings have been monumental to my evolution as an ecotherapy educator, facilitator, and practitioner. They helped me go beyond my comfort zone to explore powerful new ways of connecting with and learning from the natural world. I have since incorporated these new understandings into my existing course “The Science & Experience of Ecotherapy” at William & Mary, and it has taken the course to another level. I am eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such an inspirational and accomplished leader in the field!”

~ Dorothy C. Ibes, PhD Senior Lecturer, Environmental Science & Policy and Center for Geospatial Analysis