Center for Nature Informed Therapy

About

The Center for Nature Informed Therapy (CNIT) aims to restore the sacred bond between humans and nature, fostering a paradigm shift in mental health that benefits both individuals and the planet. The Center’s initiatives include training and certifying care professionals; providing therapy and programs to the public; and conducting research on nature-informed health approaches.

Categories Program Community & Advocacy Educational / Vocational Mental Health Therapeutic

Program Details

Overview

The Center for Nature Informed Therapy (CNIT) is pioneering a holistic approach to mental health and well-being by integrating the profound healing power of nature into therapeutic practices. Grounded in the Nature Informed Health and Wellbeing Model, CNIT emphasizes the deep interconnection between humans and their ecological surroundings. This model underscores how natural environments impact our biological, psychological, social, and spiritual wellness, offering a comprehensive understanding of human health within the context of development, health, and disease.

Our mission is to train and certify professionals, educate the public and policymakers, and provide accessible nature-based therapeutic services. We strive to foster connection and healing by making these therapies accessible to diverse communities and by promoting environmental stewardship.

Initiatives

Training and Certification Programs
CNIT offers comprehensive training and certification programs for a diverse range of professionals, enabling them to incorporate nature-based interventions into their work. Many benefit from CNIT's scholarship initiatives to ensure accessibility.

Nature-Informed Therapy and Programs for the Public
CNIT provides nature-informed therapy and wellness programs to the general public. Through grant funding, CNIT ensures that vulnerable communities have access to these transformative experiences.

Research and Evidence Building
CNIT is committed to advancing the scientific understanding of nature-based therapies. This commitment to research ensures that interventions are both effective and grounded in empirical evidence.

Future Directions

Access to public parks can be a challenge for wider adoption of nature-based therapy, as some state and county parks require special use permits or have restrictions for individual therapy or group mental health programs. Underserved populations and individuals with insufficient insurance often lack access to mental health services, including nature-informed therapy.

CNIT plans to broaden its training programs to reach more professionals globally, fostering a network of practitioners committed to nature-informed therapy. The Center aims to deepen its research initiatives to further validate the efficacy of nature-based therapies and influence policy.

Staff Composition

The Executive Director, who holds a PhD in Clinical Mental Health, is responsible for managing day-to-day operations and long-term strategic planning. Licensed mental health professionals who specialize in nature-based therapeutic approaches offer therapy and facilitate training programs. Administrative personnel provide essential support for program coordination, client services, and logistical operations. The research team conducts studies in collaboration with Hood College and Mammoth University. Corporate wellness specialists, addiction recovery professionals, as well as part-time facilitators contribute to the diversity of program offerings.

Impact and Recognition

The Center hosts community events to raise awareness about the benefits of nature-informed therapy. Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan, CNIT's founder, delivered a keynote address at the Utah Department of Natural Resources and shared her insights on the therapeutic benefits of nature. CNIT's innovative work has been featured in media outlets, including The New York Times.

CNIT is actively involved in advancing the field of nature-based therapeutic practices through research and academic partnerships. Currently, CNIT collaborates with Hood College and Mammoth University on two separate research projects.

Services

Populations Served

CNIT provides comprehensive training and certification programs for mental health and helping professionals.
Through partnerships and grant-funded programs, CNIT extends nature-based therapy services to underserved and vulnerable populations.
CNIT supports addiction recovery clients in collaboration with organizations like BriteLife Recovery.
Partnerships with organizations like Marian House and Chrysalis House allow CNIT to deliver programs tailored to individuals in transitional housing and recovery.
CNIT trains corporate wellness coordinators and community leaders to enhance wellness initiatives in diverse organizational contexts.
CNIT offers accessible therapy and wellness programs for members of our community.

Services Offered

CNIT offers scholarships to help mental health professionals and other helping professionals access certification training, especially those with limited financial resources.
Through collaborations with organizations like Marian House and Chrysalis House, CNIT provides therapy programs specifically designed for underserved and vulnerable populations.
CNIT conducts and supports research to validate the effectiveness of nature-based therapies, helping build an evidence base to promote wider adoption.
CNIT participates in community events and workshops to raise awareness of the benefits of nature-informed therapy.

Contact Heidi Schreiber-Pan, Ph.D., LCPC, Executive Director h.schreiberpan@natureinformedtherapy.org (443) 695-2834 Center for Nature Informed Therapy

Program Pricing
Training programs: Options range from free workshops to affordable $20 Lunch & Learns. Day-long training sessions with CEU credit are available for $180, while certification courses or immersive week-long courses in backcountry settings can reach up to $2,000.

Therapy sessions: CNIT maintains a network of certified Nature Informed Therapists who can provide nature-based therapies. For underserved or underinsured populations, we offer grant-funded therapy at no or reduced cost.

Nature programs: We offer a spectrum of nature-based programs, from free public workshops to international week-long wellness retreats. International wellness retreats are priced up to $2,200.

Financial Assistance
CNIT offers need-based scholarships and grant-supported programs. The flexible pricing and financial assistance emphasize CNIT’s commitment to making nature-informed therapy accessible to all.

Two women sit across from each other in foldable chairs. With small smiles on their faces, both lean forward as they compare the leaves they hold in their hands. The ground itself is thickly blanketed with red, brown, and yellow leaves—the crisp colors of autumn.

Grass blades, different colored leaves, and pebbles are placed down in a neat circle that expands outwards, creating a symmetrical design that brings into mind the idea of unity and teamwork. Participants have contributed small parts to the design, altogether creating a larger, complete whole.

Participants sit in foldable chairs to form a very large, neat circle for a group-bonding activity. They enjoy the dappled shade of the surrounding trees, which tower over them in the background. The green grass below is littered with orange leaves that have fallen from shedding trees.

Participants sit in pairs on the leaf-littered ground, with each person engaging in meaningful conversation with their partner. In the background are trees that tower over the crowd of pairs, creating a bright green canopy that looms overhead.

A group of participants lounges against logs around an extinguished campfire. Trails of smoke drift from the campfire and into the crisp, bright air. Surrounding the group are spindly trees with long branches that stick out from their trunks. While the ground has no foliage and is covered with dirt and wood chips, the trees are bursting with green.

Recent Case Studies

A large group of participants express their excitement at the start of a backpacking trip. Trees and distant mountains fill the horizon behind them.

Program

Wild Hearts Idaho

Wild Hearts Idaho is a non-profit that builds community, confidence, and leadership skills for middle and high school girls through free outdoor adventures.

A close-up shot of Dan riding his trike with a confident grin.

Program

Spokes Fighting Strokes

Spokes Fighting Strokes (Spokes) introduces recovery through exercise and fun by providing recumbent trikes to stroke survivors, amputees, able-bodied humans, and those with or who have had traumatic brain injury (TBI), neck and back injury, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), and cerebral palsy (CP).

An aerial image of the playground showing play equipment, gathering spaces, and a painted ground mural looping around the playground.

Place

Louis H. Farrell Elementary School

This project was designed to advance literacy and learning goals while promoting playful learning in public schoolyards. Key features include a Gateway Plaza, a Literacy Art Loop, an Outdoor Classroom & Performance Space, separate play areas for older and younger children, and a Native Pollinator Meadow & Nature Discovery Trail.