Unlock Your Nature Informed Therapy Certification:
Post-Training Mentorship Program

Courtney Glickman, PhD, LCPC, RPT, is a group practice owner and professor at The George Washington University, specializing in: 

Child Therapy: Providing therapeutic interventions for supporting the emotional and psychological well-being of children and adolescents through nature-based practices. 

Play and Expressive Arts Modalities: Gain insight into the connection between nature-based play, expressive arts therapy, and body-based therapeutic methods.

Nature-Informed Group Therapy: Building curriculum and facilitating group therapy sessions where nature is incorporated as a key component of healing and growth for children, adolescents, and adults.  

Trauma-informed Therapy: Recognize and emphasize understanding how traumatic experiences impacts a person’s mental, behavioral, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being and how nature-informed practices can aid in healing and resilience.

Marie Burgess, LCPC, CNIT, NCC is a the owner of a private practice located in Central Maryland. With expertise in trauma, grief, and neurodivergent care, Marie offers innovative approaches that integrate evidence-based practices with the natural world. Marie is passionate about creating inclusive, nature-centered spaces for healing, growth, and community connection. Marie specializes in: 

Nature-Based Social-Emotional Learning Workshops and Events: Designing and facilitating interactive experiences for all ages that foster emotional resilience, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills through nature-based activities.   

Nature-Informed Play Therapy for Children: Utilizing outdoor play and ecological principles to support children’s emotional growth, self-regulation, and healing in a developmentally appropriate way. 

Traumatic & Prolonged Grief: Providing compassionate, nature-integrated support for individuals processing complex and complicated grief, helping them find meaning and connection through nature-based interventions.  

Neurodivergent & Gender Affirming Care: Offering affirming, strengths-based approaches that honor the unique experiences of neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ individuals, incorporating nature as a grounding and regulating tool.

Rachel Oppenheimer, LCPC, is an experienced nature-informed therapist, specializing in: 

Anxiety Treatment: Providing nature informed therapy interventions to manage anxiety, while increasing present moment living and mindfulness practice.  

Nature-Informed Groups & Retreats: Facilitating, designing, and leading nature-informed group therapy such as day long retreats, hiking groups, and backpacking immersive groups.  

Body Image & Eating Disorder Recovery: Integrating nature-informed therapy interventions to help maintain eating disorder recovery and strengthen the relationship with the self and body. 

NIT Presentations: Presenting and designing presentations that showcase the benefits of nature for mental wellbeing at workshops and conferences.

Mindfulness Integration: Reconnecting with the present moment by integrating mindful practices and the natural world. Incorporating sensory awareness, meditation, and mindfulness in outdoor settings helps deepen a sense of calm, presence, and emotional balance.

Tania M. Lanning M.S, LCPC, LMT, RYT, NCC is a trauma and nature informed Integrative Wellness Therapist, licensed massage therapist & bodyworker, registered yoga teacher and private practice owner specializing in :  

Somatic Practices and Mindfulness with Nature: Combining gentle movement, positive neuroplasticity, present-moment awareness, and a structured nature-based process to support inner listening, reflection, and embodied exploration in all circumstances of life and living.  

Anxiety & Nervous System Support with Nature: Partnering with nature to regulate the nervous system through nervous system education, languaging and calming practices that include breath, movement, sensory grounding, and co-regulation with natural rhythms.  

Grief & Life Transitions: Pain management, Cancer Care and Recovery: Using the grounding presence of nature to support emotional processing, healing, and resilience during experiences of grief, illness, and significant life changes (such as in motherhood or with relationship changes).  

Meaning Making, Creativity & Rituals with Nature: Engaging with the natural world as a co-creator in exploring life’s transitions, questions, and celebrations—using ritual, art and creative expression, and symbolic play to foster connection, insight, and transformation.  Nature Informed Group Work, Workshops, Retreats: Facilitating shared experiences and guided walks in nature that foster connection, insight, and growth through themed gatherings, immersive workshops, and retreat settings. Combining gentle movement, present-moment awareness, and a structured nature-based process to support inner listening, reflection, and embodied exploration outdoors and within.  

Speaking Engagements and NIT Presentations: Sharing knowledge and insights on the benefits of nature in mental health through presentations and workshops.  Trauma-informed Therapy: Recognize and emphasize understanding how traumatic experiences impacts a person’s mental, behavioral, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being and how nature-informed practices can aid in healing and resilience.

Gina Strauss, LCPC, is an experienced, nature-informed therapist, specializing in:

NIT Therapy in Both Indoor and Urban Environments: Using biophilic design, indoor experiential interventions, and tools  based on an urban lifestyle to promote relaxation and help clients connect to the natural world 

Nature Informed Psycho-Educational Groups and Speaking Engagements: Developing and delivering educational workshops, group programs, and talks on the therapeutic benefits of nature connection 

Metaphor and Meaning Inspired By Nature: Partnering with Nature as a tool for self-reflection and personal insight 

Living According to the Seasons: Integrating seasonal rhythms and exploring emotional and psychological growth in alignment with natural cycles

Therapeutic Work with Children, Teens and Parents: Employing creative nature based activities and methods for emotional regulation and self awareness

Nathalie Savell is an experienced nature-informed therapist, specializing in: 

Nature-Informed Groups & Retreat: Facilitating group therapy sessions where nature is incorporated as a key component of healing and growth. Designing and leading retreats that integrate NIT principles, offering immersive experiences for healing and self-discovery.

Speaking Engagements and NIT Presentations: Sharing knowledge and insights on the benefits of nature in mental health through presentations and workshops.

Renee Vanderstelt is a certified Nature-Informed Art Therapist who brings a child-centered focus to her practice, specializing in:

• Child & Adolescent Art Therapy: Tailoring nature-based, expressive art interventions to help children and teens process emotions, build self-esteem, and develop healthy coping skills.

• Anxiety & Stress Relief: Guiding youth through creative activities—like leaf‐printing and sand mandalas—that harness the calming influence of nature to reduce anxiety and promote emotional regulation.

• Grief & Loss Support: Using eco-art therapy prompts (e.g., “Memory Stones” painting and “Story Tree” collages) to help preteens, teens, and their families navigate grief and find comfort in the natural world.

• Nature-Informed Group Workshops: Designing and facilitating small-group art experiences in parks or garden settings, where thematic prompts foster peer connection, empathy, and creative exploration.

• Developmental & Play-Based Approaches: Integrating art, movement, and storytelling inspired by natural materials (sticks, petals, stones) to engage young clients in meaningful, age-appropriate therapeutic play.

Renee’s blend of art therapy expertise and passion for nature creates a supportive, imaginative environment where children and adolescents can express themselves, heal, and grow.

Timothy Ayd is a dedicated Nature-Informed Therapy practitioner and youth group leader, specializing in:

• Mental Health First Aid: Certified in MHFA, providing immediate support and intervention techniques for individuals in crisis.

• Youth Group Facilitation: Leading nature-based youth programs that foster emotional resilience, social connection, and personal growth.

• Trauma & PTSD Recovery: Incorporating outdoor experiences and somatic practices to support trauma survivors in rebuilding safety and trust.

• Grief & Loss Support: Guiding individuals through grief with nature-informed exercises that promote healing and meaning-making.

• Anxiety Management: Teaching nature-centered coping strategies—mindful walks, breathwork in green spaces, and grounding activities—to help clients challenge and alleviate anxiety.

• Body Relaxation & Somatic Awareness: Using natural environments to facilitate physical and emotional relaxation through movement, breath, and sensory engagement.

Tim’s blend of clinical training, youth engagement expertise, and passion for the outdoors equips him to create safe, transformative experiences that strengthen mental well-being across age groups.