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Nature Informed Practice for
Professional Growth:

Enhancing Skills for Non-Mental Health Professionals 

Expand Your Professional Tool Kit with Nature Informed Therapy (NIT) Training for Non-Mental Health Professionals

About the course

Introduction:

Welcome to our specialized training for non-mental health professionals*, a dynamic and innovative approach transcending the traditional boundaries of mental health practices. While our training is deeply rooted in enhancing therapeutic skills, it designed to incorporate the transformative principles of Nature Informed Therapy (NIT) into a wide range of professional practices. This unique program extends the benefits of NIT beyond traditional therapeutic settings, offering valuable skills for educators, landscape architects, healthcare providers, corporate wellness coordinators, community leaders, and more. Our training empowers participants with effective tools for promoting well-being, enhancing personal growth, and fostering a deeper connection with nature. As part of our commitment to comprehensive education, we require completion of Mental Health First Aid training, ensuring participants are well-equipped to support mental wellness in their respective fields.

*The NIT training for non-mental health professionals is conducted alongside mental health professionals, but you will be able to tailor the content to apply a Nature Informed approach in your workplace or area of specialty. Additionally, you will be grouped with other non-mental health professionals in separate breakout sessions, allowing for collaboration and idea-sharing specific to your field.

Who Should Attend

NIT training is beneficial not just for mental health professionals but also for individuals across various other fields, including:

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  • Educators and School Staff: Teachers, School Counselors, Special Education Professionals, and Administrators.  Enhances the ability to incorporate nature in educational settings, offering new ways to engage and support student learning and well-being.

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  • Healthcare Providers: Nurses, Physicians, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists.   Provides tools for integrating nature into patient care, enhancing therapeutic environments, and promoting holistic healing approaches.

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  • Outdoor Professionals: Park Rangers, Environmental Educators, Wildlife Guides, Adventure Guides, Camp Directors.  Deepens understanding of nature's psychological benefits, enriching guided experiences and educational programs for clients.

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  • Corporate Professionals: Human Resources Personnel, Wellness Coordinators, Employee Assistance Program Managers.  Offers strategies for implementing nature-based wellness initiatives, boosting employee well-being and productivity.

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  • Non-Profit Sector Professionals: Community Outreach Coordinators, Program Directors, Volunteer Managers.  Equips with innovative approaches for community engagement and program development centered around nature.

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  • Landscape Architects and Urban Planners: Professionals involved in designing parks, green spaces, and community gardens.  Insights into creating spaces that promote mental well-being, enhancing community health through design

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  • Public Service and Community Workers: Police Officers, Firefighters, and Community Service Officers.  Provides stress reduction techniques and promotes a deeper connection with nature, enhancing community interactions and personal well-being.

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  • Wellness Coaches and Life Coaches: Professionals guiding individuals in personal development and wellness.  Incorporates nature into coaching practices, offering clients new pathways for personal growth and stress management.

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  • Fitness Trainers and Yoga Instructors: Professionals incorporating nature into physical wellness programs.  Integrates nature into fitness and yoga practices, enhancing the holistic well-being of clients.

 

  • Spiritual and Religious Leaders: Incorporating nature into spiritual guidance and community leadership.  Explores ways to incorporate nature into spiritual practices and community leadership for deeper connection and mindfulness.

 

  • Volunteers in Community and Environmental Programs: Individuals involved in nature conservation, community gardening, and other environmental initiatives.  Enhances effectiveness in environmental initiatives and community programs through nature-informed strategies.

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  • Parenting Experts and Childcare Providers: Learning nature-based strategies for child development and parenting.  Offers nature-based methods for child development and parenting, fostering healthy growth and connection with nature.

Training Highlights

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: From biophilia to practical nature-based exercises, our training covers theoretical foundations and hands-on skills.

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  • Community and Support: Join a network of like-minded professionals dedicated to leveraging nature for healing and growth.

  • Practical Skills: Hands-on experiences with nature-based activities that can be integrated into various professional settings.

  • Theoretical Insights: An overview of the science behind nature's impact on human psychology and group dynamics.

  • Interdisciplinary Approach: Techniques from nature-informed therapy adapted for non-clinical settings to foster well-being and motivation.

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals and build a community focused on innovative approaches to well-being.
     

Prerequisite for Participation

To ensure all participants, especially non-mental health professionals, are well-prepared and informed about basic mental health concepts, our training requires completion of a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course prior to attending. This prerequisite enriches the training experience, grounding you in essential mental health knowledge. If you've already completed MHFA training, please provide your certification. If not, we recommend exploring local or online options, including our 60-minute course available on our website. Assistance in finding a MHFA course is available upon request.

Tailored Experience

Discover the transformative power of nature with our tailored experiences designed for individuals and organizations outside the mental health profession. Whether you're a corporate team seeking innovative wellness strategies, an educator looking to incorporate nature-based learning, or simply someone passionate about personal growth, our programs offer unique, hands-on experiences that harness the healing benefits of nature. Engage in interactive workshops, enjoy expert guidance, and explore holistic approaches that integrate mind, body, and spirit with the natural environment, all tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Program Schedule

Semester
Course Start Date
Course End Date
Availability
Early Bird Deadline
Early Bird Code
Location
Training Setting
2025 Spring
03/11/2025
03/13/2025
Limited
01/10/2025
EBSP25
Monkton, MD
Nature Camp
2025 Summer
06/20/2025
06/22/2025
Good
04/01/2025
EBSU25
Towson, MD
Urban Campus
2025 Fall
09/09/2025
09/11/2025
Good
07/08/2025
EBFA25
Monkton, MD
Nature Camp

Register Early to Get
15% Early Bird Discount!
"EBFA24" for Fall 2024
 

and, ask about our
Interest-Free Payment Plan

Lodging & Logistic Options for Out-of-Towners

Book the course

Program Instructors

Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan

Ph.D., LCPC, ACS

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Heidi Schreiber-Pan, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC is a successful psychotherapist, author, clinical director and sought-after nationwide speaker on topics of resilience, anxiety, neuroscience, and occupational burnout. As an affiliate and former faculty member of Loyola University, Maryland, her past research has focused on resiliency, psychological well-being, and nature-based mental health.  Dr. Schreiber-Pan has developed unique continuing education courses that combine established clinical methods such as CBT with innovative treatment approaches including nature-based psychotherapy and neuro-counseling.  Her largest research project investigated the role of nature on mental health and spirituality. She is the author of Taming the Anxious Mind: A guidebook to relieve stress and anxiety.  ​ In 2021 Dr. Heidi became a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School

Gina Strauss

LCPC

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For over 25 years, I have worked as an advisor, counselor and teacher in a variety of educational settings with children, adolescents, and adults. In addition to my M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology from Towson University, I have an M.A.degree in Applied Healing Arts from Maryland University of Integrative Health (formerly Tai Sophia Institute) which adds a unique perspective to my clinical approach. In my personal and professional experience, I have developed a deep reverence for the internal wisdom that we each possess. My desire is to support you in accessing that inner knowing while also sharing powerful and practical tools for transformation. I enjoy working with a variety of clients and bring an awareness of cultural sensitivity to my practice.

Phillip McKnight

Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher

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Phillip has experience teaching a wide variety of ages, backgrounds, and abilities and uses his MA in Instructional Systems Design to determine the needs of the participant and help them develop skills in mindfulness meditation with tools for body, heart, mind, and community. Trained in the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, Phillip will help design and facilitate course implementation. In addition, Phillip brings with him fifteen years of environmental leadership where he has acted as a naturalist, educator, community advocate, and guide for groups such as The Audubon Society and Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Zoe Jack

LCSW-C

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Zoe Jack is the Director of Operations at the Center for Nature Informed Therapy and is a licensed psychotherapist at Chesapeake Mental Health Collaborative. She specializes in nature informed and client centered work with children, adolescents, and adults. As a former wilderness therapy field guide in Utah and a behavior interventionist at a trauma informed school in Vermont, Zoe incorporates the teachings of the natural world into her treatment approach with individuals and groups. Zoe holds her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland.

Rachel Oppenheimer

LCPC

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Renee Vanderstelt

LGPC, LGPAT

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Renee is a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) and Licensed Graduate Professional Art Therapist (LGPAT) at the Center for Nature Informed Therapy (CNIT). She specializes in addressing a variety of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, grief/loss, trauma, and adjustment difficulties. With a focus on solution-focused, strength-based, and person-centered holistic approaches, Renee works with clients individually and in small groups. Her genuine warmth and curiosity about personal experiences foster deeper reflection and processing. Through art therapy, Renee helps clients understand themselves in ways that words alone cannot express. Renee is known for her patient and empathic support, particularly when helping clients navigate trauma, always prioritizing safety. She believes that art-making with diverse materials is a vital part of long-term self-care and health. In her therapy sessions, Renee incorporates various forms of expression, including sound and music, journaling/poetry, mindfulness practices, and somatic-sensory movements. Although primarily trained in art therapy, her versatile approach enriches the therapeutic experience. Renee is one of the most beloved instructors at CNIT, cherished for her holistic and trauma-informed methods that resonate deeply with her clients.

Testimonials:

"The NIT training was a great experience and very rewarding and informative.  It has been instrumental in refocusing my professional practice and approach to design." 

Jack Lenord

Landscape Architect 

"I initially had reservations as a non-mental health professional about the training's relevance to my role in the non-profit outdoor world. While some presentations seemed geared toward therapists, the content proved universally applicable, especially for those interested in volunteering with nature-based programs. The inclusive environment, coupled with small group interactions, enriched my experience. The training resonated with my leadership background in for-profit companies and aligned with my volunteer work in youth mountain biking. The blend of scholarly insights and immersive activities struck a balance, making the training valuable for various professions or programs focused on well-being. I appreciate the emphasis on therapeutic approaches beyond formal therapy, fostering connections with nature for positive mental health impacts." 

Cathy Bucheri

Nonprofit Excecutive

Harness the Power of Nature in Your Career

Explore how Nature-Informed Therapy Training can revolutionize your professional and personal journey, no matter your field. Join us to unlock a world of transformative skills and insights.

Interest Free Payment Plan

We offer an interest-free payment plan.  You have an option to request to pay the tuition in 3 separate payments without any fee or interest.  Just email us your request with the course date that you intend to attend.  We will register you manually and send you 3 separate invoices with the due dates one month apart. 

Paymn Plan

Training Gallery

Mental Health First Aid Traning

The Center for Nature Informed Therapy's Mental Health First Aid Training is a comprehensive online program designed to equip individuals with essential skills for supporting mental well-being. Comprising 11 modules followed by an assessment, the training covers a range of topics, including understanding mental health first aid, recognizing and managing high-stress responses, the impact of trauma, and the role of attachment theory and nature in co-regulation. Participants will also learn crucial techniques such as passive and active listening, consent-seeking, facilitating down-regulation, and de-escalating conflict, empowering them to effectively support others in times of need. This training is a prerequisite for non-mental health professionals to enroll in the Nature Informed Therapy training course.

Training Modules:

  1. What is Mental Health First Aid?

  2. High Stress Responses

  3. The Role of Trauma in Stress Responses

  4. Attachment Theory, Co-regulation, and Nature

  5. Down-regulation for the Helper

  6. Consent-seeking (part 1)

  7. Passive Listening

  8. Active Listening

  9. Consent-seeking (part 2)

  10. Facilitating Down-regulation Techniques for Others

  11. De-escalating Conflict

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid

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$
Rent $29.99
MHFA

Questions about the training?

Grievances related to any our training courses, please email: training@NatureInformedTherapy.com

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Cancellation Policy

In-Person Multi-Day Intensives and Special Events

Download Full Cancellation Policy

Standard Cancellation Policy:

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  • Full Refund: Submit your cancellation request at least 90 days before the event start date to receive a full refund of tuition paid minus a 10% processing fee.

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  • Partial Refund: Cancellations made between 89 and 45 days before the event are eligible for a 50% refund.

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  • No Refund: No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 45 days of the event due to commitments with our location partners.

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Transfer to Future Event:

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  • Option: You may transfer your registration to the same future training/event at no additional cost by notifying us at least 45 days before the event.

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Substitutions:

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  • You may designate a substitute participant by notifying us at least 14 days before the event. Acceptance of substitutes is subject to CNIT approval and may depend on the substitute meeting any prerequisites or qualifications.

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Cancellation Process:

Review and Resolution of Complaints

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