For Therapists & Healthcare Professionals

Nature-Based Well-being Experiences as a Complement to Therapeutic Care

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Experience Journeys.

I offer trauma-informed, nature-based wellbeing experiences that support nervous system regulation, mindfulness, grounding, resilience, and connection in the wild spaces west of Bragg Creek.

My work is not psychotherapy, counselling, diagnosis, or treatment. Rather, it is designed to complement therapeutic care by helping individuals develop practical skills for regulation, presence, self-awareness, and connection between counselling sessions.

A unique aspect of my approach is intentionally partnering mindfulness and nervous system regulation practices with the restorative qualities of the natural world. Rather than viewing nature simply as a backdrop, participants are invited into a mindful relationship with the living world as a source of grounding, awareness, connection, and restoration.

Why Nature?

A growing body of research suggests that meaningful time spent in natural environments can support psychological wellbeing, reduce stress, and promote nervous system regulation.

Research has associated nature exposure with:

• Reduced stress and cortisol levels
• Improved mood and emotional wellbeing
• Enhanced attention and cognitive functioning
• Improved immune function
• Increased feelings of vitality and connection
• Greater resilience and nervous system regulation

Many participants find that natural settings offer a gentler and less stimulating environment than the built world. The sights, sounds, textures, patterns, and rhythms of nature can support a shift from states of stress, vigilance, and mental overload toward greater calm, presence, and restoration.

Foundations of the Work

My approach is informed by contemporary research and practices within the fields of ecotherapy, ecopsychology, mindfulness, forest therapy, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed care.

It is also informed by the Biophilia Hypothesis, proposed by biologist Edward O. Wilson, which suggests that human beings possess an innate tendency to seek connection with nature and other forms of life. From this perspective, our attraction to forests, rivers, mountains, wildlife, and natural places may be rooted in our evolutionary history and our longstanding relationship with the living world.

While not psychotherapy, these experiences are designed to complement therapeutic care by helping participants cultivate practical skills for grounding, self-awareness, regulation, resilience, and connection.

Through mindful engagement with natural settings, participants are invited not only to experience restoration, but to strengthen their relationship with themselves, others, and the living world around them.

Appropriate Referrals

Nature-based wellbeing experiences may be supportive for individuals experiencing:

• Chronic stress and overwhelm
• Mild to moderate anxiety
• Burnout and compassion fatigue
• Life transitions and periods of uncertainty
• Disconnection from self, community, or the natural world
• A desire to develop mindfulness and self-regulation skills
• A need for supportive practices between therapy sessions

What I Offer

Nature-based wellbeing experiences are designed to support nervous system regulation, mindfulness, self-awareness, resilience, and connection through mindful engagement with the natural world. See resources below for sample session.

Experiences may include:

• Mindfulness and meditation practices
• Breath awareness and nervous system regulation techniques
• Grounding and sensory awareness exercises
• Resourcing and pendulation practices
• Gentle movement and embodied awareness practices
• Nature connection and forest bathing experiences
• Restorative hammock sessions in pristine forest settings
• Earth altar practices that support reflection, transition, gratitude, and meaning-making
• Guided engagement with the more-than-human world
• Reflection, integration, and follow-up support

All offerings are trauma-informed, invitational, and paced according to the needs and capacities of each individual.

A central intention of this work is to help participants develop practical skills for grounding, self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and connection that can be integrated into daily life and continued independently between therapy sessions.

Why Therapists/Health-Care Professionals Refer

While many participants initially seek support for stress, overwhelm, or burnout, the benefits often extend beyond symptom reduction.

Nature-based wellbeing experiences provide opportunities for individuals to:

• Practise regulation skills in real-world settings
• Strengthen internal and external resources
• Develop mindfulness and self-awareness
• Cultivate a deeper sense of connection and belonging
• Build supportive practices between therapy sessions

Stress reduction may be the doorway.

Connection may be the path.

Belonging is often what we discover.

About Amarin

Raised in Jasper National Park and rooted in the Elbow River watershed west of Bragg Creek for more than three decades, I have spent much of my life in relationship with the rivers, forests, meadows, mountains, and countless beings that call this place home.

For more than twenty-five years, I have guided individuals and groups through yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative practices that support wellbeing, resilience, and self-awareness. In recent years, my work has expanded to include nature-based approaches that bring together a lifelong connection with the natural world and a deep commitment to supporting human wellbeing.

These forests are not simply where I guide—they are where I have learned some of life's most important lessons about presence, resilience, connection, and belonging.

Training & Qualifications

• Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Certified Guide
• Healing with Nature Trauma Care Practitioner
• Mindfulness Meditation Teacher (Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach)
• Awake in the Wild Facilitator
• Wilderness Medic
• 25+ years guiding mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and contemplative practices

My work is informed by ecotherapy, ecopsychology, mindfulness, forest therapy, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed care.

Resources

Example Nature-Based Wellbeing Session

A detailed overview of a typical 2.5-hour nature-based wellbeing experience, including mindfulness practices, nervous system regulation approaches, Earth altar practices, restorative hammock experiences, reflection, integration, and follow-up support. Download PDF