About the Training
For Health, Healing, and Education Professionals
Join us for a transformative, nature-based backpacking training designed specifically for professionals who support others through grief, loss, and life transitions. This unique experience combines emotional exploration, professional development, and backcountry skills in a supportive, small-group environment.
Overview
Grief is not only about death. It can stem from the loss of a job, a relationship, a role, or a sense of identity. This event honors all forms of loss and offers a compassionate space to understand your personal grief response, deepen your ability to support others, and strengthen your connection with nature as a source of healing.
Over the course of this immersive experience, you will:
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Explore your own grief story and learn how to care for yourself as a helping professional.
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Gain tools to support others who are navigating grief, loss, and life changes.
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Build proficiency in backpacking, including trail navigation, gear management, and wilderness safety.
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Partner with nature as an ally in processing grief and building resilience.
Who Should Attend
This retreat is ideal for:
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Therapists, counselors, and social workers
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Nurses, doctors, hospice and palliative care professionals
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Educators and school-based mental health providers
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Coaches, chaplains, and anyone in a helping or healing role
Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or new to the trail, we welcome all experience levels. You’ll be guided by experienced facilitators who are skilled in both outdoor leadership and grief-informed care.
Why Nature?
Nature offers powerful metaphors, emotional regulation, and perspective shifts that can help us metabolize grief and reconnect with life. Through mindful walking, reflective journaling, council circles, and nature-based rituals, you’ll experience firsthand how the wilderness can hold, mirror, and transform our inner experience.
What You’ll Learn
This training integrates clinical insights with nature-based practices.Topics include:
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Core Principles of Nature-Informed Therapy
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The Human Grief Response, including complicated grief
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Non-death-related loss and disenfranchised grief
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Attachment Theory and its role in grieving (Bowlby)
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The Five Stages of Loss (Kübler-Ross)
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Worden’s Four Tasks of Mourning
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Practical tools and interventions for immediate use
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Guidelines for grief counseling and supporting special populations (including children and adolescents)
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Personal reflection on your own loss history and how it shapes your work
Backpacking Component
Our distinctive backpacking component is the core of the transformative experience in our Nature Informed Therapy Training. Delve into the wilderness and discover not just the landscapes around you, but the inner terrain of grief and healing.
Integrative Learning Experience:
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Trail-Based Education: Each day begins with a 5-7 mile trek with a 40lbs pack, stimulating both body and mind, preparing you for an afternoon of in-depth learning.
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Nature as Co-Therapist: The natural world becomes a partner in the therapeutic process, offering a profound context for understanding and healing.
Skill Enhancement:
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Backcountry Proficiency: Whether you're new or seasoned, elevate your backpacking skills with hands-on experience and expert guidance.
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Seminars for Success: Optional seminars on lightweight gear, food planning, and navigation ensure you are well-prepared for any backcountry endeavor.
Logistical Ease:
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Small Group Focus: Limited to 8 participants, ensuring a personalized and intimate learning atmosphere.
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Inclusive Arrangements: Gear rental options and provisioned meals for convenience and ease.
Program Details:
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Duration and Timing: A 6-day, 5-night journey from Sunday to Friday, designed for optimal learning and experience.
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Sustenance on the Trail: Nutritious meals are provided, with vegetarian options available, allowing you to focus on the immersive experience without the worry of food preparation.
By integrating backpacking into our curriculum, we offer a unique synthesis of adventure and education, creating an unparalleled platform for personal and professional growth in the field of grief and bereavement.
About the Trainers
Heidi Schreiber-Pan
Ph.D., LCPC
Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan is a distinguished mental health clinician and the innovative founder of the Center for Nature Informed Therapy. With a doctorate in Counseling Supervision and a licensed clinical professional counselor, she specializes in the treatment of anxiety and grief. As a celebrated public speaker and the author of "Taming the Anxious Mind: A Guidebook to Relieve Anxiety and Stress" as well as "The Outside Within: Stories of Nature's Role in Psychological Well-being," Dr. Schreiber-Pan's expertise is widely acknowledged. Her approach is rooted in the belief that the natural world plays a crucial role in psychological health and well-being. Dr. Schreiber-Pan's transformative programs blend outdoor adventure with therapeutic insights, empowering individuals to conquer their anxiety and find peace in the wilderness. Join us for an inspiring journey with Dr. Schreiber-Pan, where the calming power of nature and expert guidance combine to offer not just a backpacking experience, but a pathway to inner serenity.
Wilderness First Aid Certified
Phillip McKnight
M.A.
Meet Phillip McKnight, a seasoned mindfulness instructor and avid adventurer whose passion for inner exploration matches his love for traversing expansive trails. As a thru-hiker of the Appalachian Trail, Phillip has not only charted the path less traveled but also immersed himself in the profound tranquility of the great outdoors. With a Master's in Instructional Systems Design and certification from the International Mindfulness Teachers Association, Phillip has honed his ability to craft transformative mindfulness experiences. His commitment to this practice was further enriched by his time as a Fulbright Scholar in Laos, where he embraced the intricacies of cross-cultural connections and their impact on mental well-being. Phillip's approach is both heart-centered and strategic, focusing on fostering understanding and resilience across diverse communities. Whether guiding hikers along the AT or leading mindfulness sessions, Phillip empowers individuals to cultivate awareness, compassion, and a deepened relationship with the natural world. Join him for a journey that transcends boundaries and elevates the spirit, as he co-leads the Nature Informed Therapy Training with his unique blend of expertise and empathetic teaching.
Wilderness First Aid Certified
Logistics & Registration
Prepare to engage with nature and deepen your therapeutic skills on this enriching 5-day journey. Here's what participants need to know:
Investment in Growth:
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Training Cost: The fee for this comprehensive program is $1,350 per person, covering all aspects of the training, transportation, materials, group gear, tent, accommodation, and provided meals.
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Scholarship Available: Limited need-based scholarship available. Apply here.
Trek and Learn:
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Daily Itinerary: Mornings will be dedicated to hiking 5-7 miles, immersing participants in the healing power of nature. Afternoons are reserved for learning and practicing experiential grief counseling techniques.
Exclusive Group Experience:
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Intimate Setting: To ensure a personalized and focused experience, we are limiting the group to just 8 participants. This small group setting fosters deeper connection and individual attention.
Duration and Timing:
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Program Length: This intensive training spans 6 days and 5 overnights, beginning on Sunday and concluding on Friday, designed to fit into a workweek schedule.
Included Material and Provided Gear:
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Training Guidebook: Trails of Healing: A Therapist's Guide to Nature Informed Grief Therapy - A comprehensive guidebook designed to support your learning and provide valuable insights into nature-informed grief therapy.
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Backpacking Tent: High-quality lightweight tent to ensure a comfortable and immersive wilderness experience.
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Meals: All meals are meticulously prepared by CNIT to ensure proper nutrition, calorie requirements, and manage pack weight and volume. Meals include:
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1 camp dinner
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1 camp breakfast
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5 trail breakfasts
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5 trail lunches
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5 trail dinners
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Vegetarian options are available to accommodate dietary preferences.
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Group Gear: Essential group gear to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, including:
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Cooking gear
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Rain fly
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Bear bag
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Water treatment
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Toilet paper
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Tick and bug treatment
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First aid kit
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Satellite communicator
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Optional Essential Personal Gear Rental: For your convenience, we offer rental options for essential personal gear, including:
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Backpack
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Sleeping pad
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Sleeping bag
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Sleeping bag liner
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Trekking poles
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Packing for Your Adventure
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What to pack: For a detailed rundown on what to pack for your backpacking journey, ensuring you're well-equipped for whatever the wilderness throws your way, be sure to visit our comprehensive packing guide. With our expert advice, you'll be ready to hit the trail with confidence.
Travel Arrangement
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The recommendation is to fly in and depart one day before and after the retreat to avoid flight delays * we can not wait longer than 1-hour for a delayed flight
Participants are encouraged to bring their curiosity, openness, and readiness to explore both the wilderness outside and the emotional landscapes within. Join us on this unique expedition where professional development meets the profound serenity of the natural world.
Preliminary Schedule Outline
June 8th: Arrival & Orientation
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1:00 PM: Departure from BWI & Drive to WV
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3:00 PM: Pit stop.
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5:00 PM: Arrive at Red Creek Campground. Set up camp, group introductions, gear distribution, and intention circle.
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7:00 PM: Sunset view and group discussions: intentions, norms, and support systems.
June 9th: First Day on the Trail
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7:00 AM: Wake-up, breakfast, and pack-up.
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8:30 AM: Start hiking with breaks for mindfulness and safety lessons.
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12:00 PM: Lunch and water purification lesson.
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2:00 PM: Arrive at camp. Set up camp, rest, and learn content on grief and nature connection.
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6:00 PM: Group dinner and evening campfire with discussions.
June 10th: Continued Hiking & Connection
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7:00 AM: Wake-up, breakfast, and gear check.
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8:30 AM: Hit the trail with breaks for mindfulness and Leave No Trace lessons.
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2:00 PM: Arrive at camp. Set up camp and discuss grief and loss content.
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6:00 PM: Dinner and evening campfire counsel.
June 11th: Reflection Day
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7:00 AM: Breakfast and reflection preperations
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8:30 AM: Guided reflection and nature connection activities.
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5:30 PM: Afternoon tea and group dinner.
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7:15 PM: Evening campfire with storytelling and reflections.
June 12th: Hike Intensive Day
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7:00 AM: Wake-up, breakfast, and gear check.
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8:30 AM: Hike with mindfulness lessons.
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12:00 PM: Lunch and rest.
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5:30 PM: Group activities & learning content on values and legacy.
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6:00 PM: Dinner and campfire discussions.
June 13th: Hike Out Day
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7:00 AM: Breakfast and pack-up.
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8:30 AM: Final hike with reflections on resilience and inspiration.
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12:00 PM: Arrive at cars for final reflection and snacks.
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2:30 PM: Pit stop
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5:00 PM: Arrival at BWI.
CE Details
Center for Nature Informed Therapy has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7473. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Center for Nature Informed Therapy is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. The Grief and Backpacking course will receive 12.5 NBCC credit hours.
The Center for Nature Informed Therapy, Provider 2022, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 7, 2024-July 7, 2025. Social workers completing this course receive 12.5 general continuing education credits.
Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.
FAQs
Q: Who should attend this trip?
A: This trip is ideal for helping and healing professionals such as counselors, nurses, social workers, health coaches, educators, and pastoral care providers looking to enrich their practice with nature-based approaches to grief counseling. It's also beneficial for those interested in understanding the dynamic interplay between nature, grief, and healing processes.
Is this trip right for me?
A: This trip is ideal for those who are physically and emotionally prepared for an intensive backpacking and therapeutic experience. Consider the following to determine if this trip is suitable for you:
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Can you hike 7 miles with a 40 lbs pack?
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Are you comfortable sharing in small groups?
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Can you adjust your dietary needs to accommodate backpacking cuisine?
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Would you enjoy a one-day solo in nature?
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Can you tolerate discomfort such as being outside in the rain or cold?
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Would you benefit from learning about grief and loss?
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Are you emotionally available to think about your own loss history?
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Do you mind a 4-hour shuttle drive from the airport to the trailhead?
If the backpacking component is not right for you, we also offer a live online grief therapy training.
Q: Do I need prior backpacking experience?
A: While having prior backpacking experience is recommended, it is not mandatory. For those new to backpacking, we offer a comprehensive how-to session with Payton Schreiber-Pan, our wilderness skills expert. This personalized training is available at a rate of $30/hr to ensure you are well-prepared for the journey.
Q: Can I rent gear for the trip?
A: Absolutely! We provide rental options for essential gear, including backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, compression sacks, and sleeping bag liners. All gear is high-quality and will be prepared for you upon arrival, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Q: Is there a shuttle service available?
A: Yes, for your convenience, we offer a shuttle service from BWI airport directly to the trailhead in West Virginia. This allows for a seamless transition from travel to the tranquility of nature.
Q: What is the food situation during the training?
A: All food for the duration of the trip is provided by us. We take pride in offering wholesome, nourishing meals to keep you energized throughout the training. While we are unable to cater to specific food preferences, we do offer vegetarian options to accommodate dietary needs.
Q: What should I expect in terms of physical activity?
A: Participants should be prepared for moderate physical activity. Daily hikes will cover 5-7 miles, mostly in the morning. The terrain may vary, with some inclines that could be challenging. It’s a balanced mix of activity and learning, with afternoons dedicated to grief counseling training.
Q: How will the training address safety and first aid?
A: Safety is our top priority. All our guides are trained in wilderness first aid, and we will carry a comprehensive first aid kit. Before departure, we’ll review safety protocols and ensure that everyone is informed about handling potential emergencies.
Q: What will the sleeping arrangements be like?
A: Participants will be camping in tents or hammocks with rainflies, provided either by themselves or through our rental program. The group will set up in designated backcountry areas, experiencing the full immersion of wilderness.
Q: Will I receive any certification upon completion?
A: Yes, upon successful completion of the training, participants will receive a certificate recognizing their proficiency in nature-informed grief and bereavement therapy techniques, applicable to their therapeutic practices.
Q: What if I have dietary restrictions due to health reasons?
A: We strive to accommodate health-related dietary restrictions. Please inform us in advance, and we will work with you to ensure your dietary needs are met within the limitations of our wilderness setting.
Q: How large will the group be?
A: To provide an intimate and focused experience, the group size is limited to 8 participants. This ensures personalized attention and a conducive learning environment.
