
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
Advancing evidence-based training, experiences, and research that integrate nature into mental health care — where healing is reciprocal: as we restore well-being in people, we cultivate stewardship of the natural world that sustains us.
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
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Evidence
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Accessibility
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Reciprocity
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Inclusion
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Stewardship
501(c)(3) Determined by the IRS—All Gifts Are Fully Tax-Deductible.
Impact at a Glance
0
Professionals
Trained
$0
Training Scholarship Awarded
0
Public Program Participants
$0
Public Scholarship Awarded
* As of the end of 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 Wilson
Director

Catherine Witt
Secretary

Jennifer Richards
Director

Patty Klein
Director

Beverly Gorman
Vice Chair

Chi-Wei Chang
Director

Michael Quinn
Chair

Brain Harrison
Director

Heidi Schreiber-Pan
Director

Morrison Pan
Treasurer
Staffand Volunteers

Beverly Gorman
RN

Marie Burgess
LCPC, C-NIT
Senior Training Staff

Tim Coury
Marketing Coordinator

Oliver Lippy
M.A.
Clinical Intern

Audrey Costa
Training Consultant

Mary Sue McCarthy
LCPC, C-NIT
Course Instructor

Rachel Oppenheimer
LCPC, C-NIT
Training Consultant

Tania Lanning
M.S, LCPC, LMT, RYT
Training Consultant

Catherine Witt

Meagan Hughes
LPMT
Program Operations Manager

Julia Forchheimer
Marketing Intern

Tee Tomlinson
LCMFT, C-NIT
Lead Facilitator, MHFA

Courtney Glickman
Ph.D., lCPC, C-NIT
Training Consultant

Nathalie Savell
LCPC, C-NIT
Training Consultant

Renee Vanderstelt
LCPC, LCPAT, C-NIT
Training Consultant

Tim Ayd
LCPC, C-NIT
Training Consultant

Heidi Schreiber-Pan
Ph.D., LCPC, C-NIT
Founder, Executive Director

Phillip McKnight
C-NIP
Course Instructor

Morrison Pan
Director of Finance & Operation

Audra Howard Ferguson
LGPC, C-NIT
Program Facilitator

Gina Strauss
M.A., LCPC, C-NIT
Training Consultant

Patty Klein
LGPC, C-NIT
Course Instructor

Sarah Boone
LCPC, C-NIT
Venture Trails Consultant

Zoe Jack
MBA, LCSW-C, C-NIT
Course Instructor
CNIT in the News
Date | Reporter Name | Image | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
05/06/2026 | Baltimore Banner, Meredith Cohn | Feeling blue? Therapists have ideas about how to use greenery to boost your mood. | |
02/26/2026 | Earth to Humans | Nature-Informed Therapy with Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan | |
02/17/2026 | The Washington Post, Maggie Pennam | Should your therapy session be outdoors? More therapists are trying it. | |
01/24/2026 | The Washington Post, Maggie Pennam | Why going outside is good for you, even when it's freezing | |
12/24/2025 | The Washington Post | War-weary Ukrainians seek healing nature in their vast national parks |


