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We empower professionals and communities to heal and thrive by restoring their relationship with the natural world.

About the Center for
Nature Informed Therapy

Human. Nature. Healing.

A Mountain Born Mission

Growing up in Bavaria’s Alps, our founder learned early that nature is healer, mentor, and friend. Her clinical work exposed a paradox: Although therapists relied on nature to support their own well-being, they seldom incorporated it into their clinical practice. Determined to bridge science and practice, Heidi completed groundbreaking research on nature’s impact on resilience and mental well being—and launched CNIT to share those findings with the world.

Mission. Vision. Values

Mission

Provide evidence-based training, experiences, and research that integrate nature into mental health care - cultivating reciprocal healing and stewardship for both people and planet.

Vision

A future where a reciprocal relationship with nature will restore the mental health of all people and create deeper connection to self, others and our spirituality.

Values

  • Evidence

  • Accessibility

  • Reciprocity 

  • Inclusion

  • Stewardship

501(c)(3) Determined by the IRS—All Gifts Are Fully Tax-Deductible.

Nature-Informed Well-Being Model

Nature fosters awe, connection, and meaning—supporting emotional balance, resilience, and inner harmony.

Infographic with four colored arrows (numbered 01–04) pointing toward a central circle labeled ‘Nature Informed Biopsychosocial‑Spiritual Wellbeing.’ Icons on the arrows depict biology (leaf, gear, DNA), social connection (people network), psychological health (head with heart), and psycho‑spiritual awe (eye within triangle), illustrating CNIT’s holistic nature‑informed wellness model.

Impact at a Glance

0

Professionals
Trained

$0

Training Scholarship Awarded

0

Public Program Participants

$0

Public Scholarship Awarded

* As of the end of Q2 2025

Trusted Collaborators

Through research, customized training, and community wellness projects, our partners help us extend nature’s healing reach.

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Our People

CNIT is powered by a visionary board, an agile ‘Campfire Circle’ working group, passionate staff, and dedicated volunteers. Meet the people who make nature-informed healing possible.”

Board of Directors

Barney "Water Man" Wilson, Ph.D., Director

Barney Wilson

Director

Heidi Schreiber-Pan, Ph.D., LCPC, Board Chair & Executive Director.

Heidi Schreiber-Pan

Chairwoman

Morrison Pan, Treasure & Director of Finance and Operation

Morrison Pan

Treasurer

Chi-Wei Chang, M.A., Director

Chi-Wei Chang

Director

Jennifer Richards, Psy.D., Director

Jennifer Richards

Director

Delia Chiaramonte, M.D., Director

Delia Chiaramonte

Director

Michael Quinn, Secretary

Michael Quinn

Secretary

Campfire Circle*, Staff, and Volunteers

Campfire Circle – CNIT’s kitchen-table working board of key advisors who roll up their sleeves to advance programs, partnerships, and community impact.

Gina Strauss

M.A., LCPC, C-NIT

Director of Programming & Outreach

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Meagan Hughes

LPMT

Administrative Coordinator

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Courtney Glickman

Ph.D., lCPC, C-NIT

Training Consultant

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Nathalie Savell

LCPC, C-NIT

Training Consultant

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Catherine Witt

Advisor

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Renee Vanderstelt

LCPC, LCPAT, C-NIT

Training Consultant

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Heidi Schreiber-Pan, Ph.D., LCPC, Board Chair & Executive Director.

Heidi Schreiber-Pan

Ph.D., LCPC, C-NIT

Founder, Executive Director

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Morrison Pan, Treasure & Director of Finance and Operation

Morrison Pan

Director of Finance & Operation

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Oliver Lippy

M.A.

Clinical Intern

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Rachel Oppenheimer

LCPC, C-NIT

Training Consultant

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Mary Sue McCarthy

LCPC, C-NIT

Course Instructor

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Tania Lanning

M.S, LCPC, LMT, RYT

Training Consultant

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Marie Burgess

LCPC, C-NIT

Senior Training Staff

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Sarah Zeigler, Exec Assistant & Engagement Specialist

Sarah Zeigler

Exec Assistant & Engagement Specialist

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Zoe Jack

MBA, LCSW-C, C-NIT

Course Instructor

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Beverly Gorman

RN

Advisor

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Phillip McKnight

C-NIP

Course Instructor

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

Tim Ayd

LCPC, C-NIT

MHFA Lead Instructor

Staff

Campfire Circle

Volunteer

CNIT in the News

Date
Reporter Name
Image
Title
10/20/2025
Mad in America
The Healing Powers of Nature
10/01/2025
American Psychological Association
How to integrate walking therapy into your practice
07/21/2025
Wellness Project
Nature, Noticed – A Conversation with Dr. Heidi Schreiber‑Pan
06/30/2025
EINPresswire
Center for Nature Informed Therapy Receives IRS 501(c)(3) Determination
04/11/2025
Nature and Health Alliance
The Learning Network Case Studies.
03/11/2025
Pathways Magazine
Reclaiming Our Deepest Roots:
10/18/2024
Dirt Nap / Jared Paventi
Eco-Grief, Because The World's on Fire
08/16/2024
Voice Of America
Hanging out in urban green spaces helps prevent heart disease, study finds
06/13/2024
Broadcast Retirement Network
EcoTherapy: Going back to Nature to Transform Psychological and Physiological Health
05/14/2024
PRA (Park Rx America)
Provider Spotlights of the Month
04/03/2024
Millennium Fellowship
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT STEVEN GRANT, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2023
03/22/2024
MSN
Some therapists now offer unconventional form of treatment with surprising benefits: 'It connects me to being human'
02/21/2024
Kennedy Saves the World
Kennedy Saves the World
02/05/2024
The New York Times
Therapists Trade the Couch for the Great Outdoors
12/04/2023
New American Journal
Learning How to Deal With Anxiety by Communing With Nature
11/27/2023
Maryland Matters
Meet three therapists who are helping Marylanders cope with their climate anxiety
11/08/2023
Adventure Therapy Collective Podcast
Social Work Outside with Zoe Jack
10/31/2023
Stories from the Field
Exploring the Healing Power of the Outdoors in Mental Health Treatment with Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan
10/05/2023
NPR, WYPR
How to Alleviate eco-anxiety
10/03/2023
EINPresswire
Nature Informed Therapy at BriteLife Recovery: A Leap Forward in Clinician Wellness and Patient Care
06/22/2023
GlobeNewswire
IPPA World Congress on Positive Psychology: Uniting Global Leaders in Well-being and Resilience
03/18/2023
iHeart Radio, Power98.5
Nature's Calming Embrace: Taming the Anxious Brain with Dr. Schreiber-Pan
02/27/2023
Maryland Center for History and Culture
Climate Anxiety and Eco-grief: A Psychological Response
02/14/2023
EINPresswire
Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan to Present at 2023 Mental Health America Conference: Next Gen Prevention
10/05/2022
EINPresswire
Center for Nature Informed Therapy Brings Nature Therapy for Wellness to Marian House
09/26/2022
VoyageBaltimore
Community Highlights: Meet Heidi Schreiber-Pan of Center for Nature Informed Therapy
09/13/2022
EINPresswire
Nature Informed Therapy Certification Program Gains Momentum: Course Fills Months Prior to Start
04/04/2022
EINPresswire
Nature Informed Therapy Training Becomes the First ASWB Approved Nature Integrated CEU Training Program in the Nation
02/23/2022
EINPresswire
Mental health expert advocates for nature and mental wellbeing in Maryland General Assembly
01/22/2022
EINPresswire
Anonymous Donation for Nature Healing
04/18/2021
EINPresswire
Let Nature Healing Start
03/16/2021
EINPresswire
When Nature Meets Therapy

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