Hope Reimagined

Nature has always been a place of healing and wellness for me. From the very start of my career as a school-based mental health clinician, I brought nature into my work with youth and families—whether through outdoor sessions, sensory exploration, or simply creating space to pause and breathe outside. During the most intense parts of the COVID-19 lockdown, I turned to nature daily to ground myself, and that’s when I discovered the Forest Therapy Hub. I trained with people from around the world and, in 2022, was invited to become a trainer myself. That experience deepened my belief in the power of nature to connect us—not only to the best parts of ourselves but also to one another. It’s that connection that fuels my passion every day. Teaching is an act of hope. I love creating spaces where people can slow down, reconnect with their senses, and remember that they belong—both to the natural world and to a larger human story of resilience and care. Watching people light up when they feel that sense of connection is what keeps me coming back.Most people don’t realize that nature connection doesn’t require a remote forest or hours of free time. Some of the most profound shifts happen in just 15 minutes under a tree in your neighborhood or noticing the wind on your skin between meetings. I also bring a trauma-informed lens to this work, which means our experiences are always rooted in safety, choice, and compassion. And a fun fact? I’ve guided walks in the middle of busy urban schoolyards and still seen kids drop into deep presence—proof that nature connection can happen anywhere.