When the River Hurts: Repairing Our Bond with Nature After Disaster

Standing at nature’s edge: a reminder that even the gentlest landscapes can shift from calm to storm—calling us to heal and renew our bond with the land.

A few years ago my son was married in a wildflower meadow in the Texas Hill Country. After the wedding, we spent several days vacationing near Kerrville, and one of my favorite photos shows us picnicking, swimming, and laughing as we jumped into the Guadalupe.

Growing up, I had a river in my own backyard. Our house sat high on a hill, a tiring hike after a long day in the water. I loved that river; the ducks were my childhood companions. I also watched the water swell after heavy rains, swallowing the little hut we’d built for our swimsuits and cold drinks. Sometimes the current swept me far downstream, and I had to clamber out past my neighbor’s house, heart pounding. Yet the river never harmed me or took anyone I loved.

Lately, I’ve wondered how my bond with that river might have changed if it had truly caused me pain. Would I still long to be near it? Would fear keep me from sitting on its banks?

Professionally, I’m a nature-informed therapist. I help people meet mental-health challenges by weaving nature into their healing journeys, building deep relationships with Earth itself so we can remember who we are, beings made of the same elements as rivers, rocks, and trees.

The recent floods in Kerrville, so full of tragedy, trauma, and loss, have made me reflect on what happens when nature wounds us. In therapy, ruptured relationships call for repair; the goal is not merely to resolve conflict but to heal old wounds. The same, I believe, is true of our relationship with the natural world. A rupture can become an opening for deeper understanding, grieving, and eventual reconnection.

I imagine those hurt by the floods may feel abandoned or betrayed by the river that once brought them peace. If Nature could speak, perhaps she would say, “I understand. I know you are hurting. I never meant to harm you. I am wild, and I change. But I am also steady. I can hold both beauty and danger.”

Healing does not mean forgetting the rupture; it means staying in dialogue even when it is uncomfortable.

As the climate changes, disasters are likely to increase. How do we remain in relationship with a force that gives life yet can also destroy? In therapy, we know that human relationships often follow a rhythm of rupture and repair, a mutual journey of healing and growth. I believe that, just as with other relationships, repairing our bond with nature is possible—not immediately after a disaster, but whenever you’re ready—and these principles can guide the healing process.

Principles for Reconnecting with a Wounded Landscape

1. Establish Felt Safety First - Begin with brief, predictable encounters in nature, such as sitting under a shade tree for five minutes, while practicing grounding and breathwork to calm the nervous system.

   
   

2. Imago-Style Dialogue - Speak to the river, fire-scarred forest, or storm-tossed shoreline, then respond as if Nature were speaking back.

   
   

3. Graduated Exposure with Choice - Return to the natural setting in small, self-directed steps. Exercising choice restores the sense of agency that trauma often steals.

   
   

4. Ritualized Repair - Use symbolic acts, such as planting a tree, building a stone cairn, or releasing flower petals, to honor loss and mark a new commitment to relationship.

   
   

5. Stewardship as Meaning Making - Transform pain into purposeful action: organize a river clean-up, plant pollinator gardens, or advocate for watershed protections. Active care turns the relationship from conflict into collaboration.

   
   

6. Community Witnessing - Healing deepens when stories are shared. Group circles, guided hikes, or remembrance ceremonies allow people to bear witness to one another’s sorrow and resilience, reinforcing collective repair.

Whether you’re an individual seeking to heal your own bond with the natural world or an organization ready to weave these principles into your programs, CNIT is here to help. We offer one-on-one nature-informed therapy, immersive workshops on rupture and repair with landscape, and customized training for teams and communities. Reach out today to learn how we can support your journey of reconnection and resilience.