Intro to Nature Therapy (Small Group)

This class is an introduction to nature therapy, or ecopsychology, where you are invited to experience how nature can help improve the quality of your life.

Rooted in nature-based support and depth psychology, this guided walk is a way to step out of mental noise, lower your stress load, and restore the kind of attention that high-demand modern life burns through. Participants explore how the outer landscape may reflect inner experiences: stress responses, emotional patterns, protective defenses, recurring thoughts, and the deeper images that shape how we move through life. The session is simple, supportive, and accessible.

Nature Therapy is open to anyone seeking a more grounded, durable way to reflect, reset, and recover their focus. This event is perfect for those trying nature therapy for the first time. Furthermore, it may be especially beneficial for people navigating burnout or life transitions, individuals in recovery, spiritual seekers, and anyone ready for steadier ways of responding to life's demands.

Your guide, Flint, is a board-certified holistic health practitioner, holds a PhD in depth psychology, and actively volunteers part-time as a provider for the homeless. His approach is grounded and evidence-informed, focused on helping people step out of depletion, notice what is present, and recover a steadier and deeper connection with themselves.

Meeting Location: The group will meet on the second observation deck on Dam #1 Bridge. The nearest available parking area is at the Newport News Park Discovery Center.

What to Bring: Please wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and any personal items you may need to feel comfortable outdoors. Optional items include a small notebook, pen, sunglasses, hat, or light backpack.

Important Notes: Only 10 tickets available per walk. This session is for adults only. The walk activities are gentle and low-pressure, but participants should be able to walk slowly on natural outdoor surfaces and stand or pause for short periods. Please check the weather beforehand and plan accordingly. Sessions will still occur if it is raining, unless there is inclement weather (e.g. lightning, high-winds, etc.).

This is a non-clinical, nature-based support experience and is not psychotherapy, medical treatment, diagnosis, or crisis care.

If you believe you may need clinical mental health support, please consider contacting a licensed therapist, counselor, psychologist, or medical provider. If you are in emotional distress, experiencing a mental health crisis, or having thoughts of harming yourself or others, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 for immediate emergency assistance.