Trauma & PTSD: How Nature-Based Practices Support Healing

PTSD 2013 Wildcat Wayside Trauma Retreat 17

Trauma is a deeply disruptive experience that leaves a lasting imprint on the body and mind. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops when the nervous system becomes stuck in a cycle of hypervigilance, intrusive memories, and emotional overwhelm. For many survivors, the world can feel unsafe, unpredictable, and disorienting. Traditional therapies such as talk therapy, medication, … Read more

Neurodivergent vs. Neurodiverse: Why the Language We Use Matters

Neurodiverse

Neurodivergent vs. Neurodiverse In conversations about mental health and cognitive differences, the terms “neurodivergent” and “neurodiverse” are often used interchangeably. However, while they are closely related, they do not mean the same thing, and the distinctions matter, especially for those advocating for greater inclusion, compassion, and understanding. The way we talk about people who think, … Read more

Water Meditation: Using Rivers, Lakes, and Oceans for Emotional Healing

Water Meditation

Water has long been a symbol of purification, transformation, and renewal across cultures and spiritual traditions. Whether it is the gentle flow of a stream, the still surface of a lake, or the powerful rhythm of ocean waves, water meditation invites us into deeper states of presence and introspection. Through the practice of water meditation, … Read more

Eco Art Therapy & Processing Emotional Pain

Eco Art Therapy

Emotional pain, whether caused by trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, or life transitions, can be difficult to articulate through words alone. For many, traditional talk therapy may not offer the full depth of expression or healing needed to process deeply rooted emotions. This is where Eco Art Therapy steps in: a powerful fusion of expressive arts … Read more

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice came and went over a month ago. When the days grow shorter and the sunlight fades, many people find their mood shifting in subtle or severe ways. This annual pattern of low energy, irritability, sleep disturbance, and sadness is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). A type … Read more

Depression Restoring Balance Through Mindful Practices in Nature

Depression

Depression affects millions of people across the globe. It is more than occasional sadness. It is a persistent state of low mood, energy depletion, and disconnection that can impact every area of life. Emotional well-being, on the other hand, refers to one’s ability to manage emotions, cope with stress, and maintain positive relationships. While depression … Read more

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common yet often debilitating mental health condition marked by excessive, persistent worry and tension. Unlike situational anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) does not necessarily require a specific trigger; individuals with this disorder may find themselves consumed by worry about finances, health, relationships, or even minor everyday concerns. While cognitive … Read more

Reduce Panic Attacks Using Mindfulness Based Ecotherapy

panic attacks

Panic attacks can be terrifying. They often come without warning and create intense feelings of fear, dizziness, heart palpitations, and disconnection from reality. While medication and traditional therapy are commonly used to manage panic disorder, many individuals are turning to nature and mindfulness to regain control. One increasingly effective method is Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapy (MBE), a … Read more

Guidelines for Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

gender-affirming care

The Importance of Gender-Affirming Care for Minors: Empowering Authenticity Gender-affirming care for minors is about fostering a sense of safety and belonging for those navigating questions of identity in a world that can sometimes feel unwelcoming. While much attention has been placed on the medical aspects of gender-affirming care, its impact reaches far beyond physical … Read more

SCOTUS vs. Human Rights

Supreme Court SCOTUS

On June 18th, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to uphold state bans on access to gender-affirming care for transgender and gender expansive (TGE) youth. This devastating decision by our Supreme Court allows 27 states to restrict or eliminate healthcare options that are not only evidence-based, but also life-saving. By doing so, the highest … Read more

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