Weekly commitment: Each week, participants will be guided through 4 main sections of content. These are:
- Psychoeducational: This section provides the theory and research-heavy compiled data as an introspective guide into that week’s topic.
- Mindfulness & Nature Therapy Intervention: Interventions are focused on nature therapy and mindfulness-centered principles.
- Challenge: Participants are challenged to use the concepts provided to work through their own insights, and the awareness gained that week.
DEI Agreement: Intimacy Nature Therapy is committed to fostering a learning environment that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that every individual has the right to learn and grow in an atmosphere that respects their identity, background, and experiences.
Diversity: We celebrate the diversity of our participants, recognizing that each person brings unique perspectives and strengths to our community. We strive to create opportunities for diverse voices to be heard and valued.
Equity: We are dedicated to promoting equity by providing fair access to resources, opportunities, and support needed for every learner to succeed. We acknowledge systemic barriers and work to mitigate them within our course structure.
Inclusion: We actively cultivate an inclusive environment where all participants feel welcomed, respected, and supported. We encourage open dialogue, empathy, and mutual respect among learners, instructors, and therapists.
By embracing diversity, striving for equity, and fostering inclusion, we believe that we can create a richer learning environment that benefits all learners and prepares them to thrive in a diverse global society.
While the counselor serves as a supportive facilitator and resource in the client’s career development, clients have the right to be free from discrimination in counseling on the basis of race, religion, gender, or other unlawful category. With this being said, we welcome feedback and dialogue from participants to help us create a more inclusive learning experience for everyone.
Counseling Approach: The course incorporates a proactive, experiential, reflective, didactic, and supportive counseling approach. By integrating multiple treatment theories, such as art, narrative, cognitive behavioral, acceptance and commitment, sex, nature, and integrative relationship counseling therapy models, we intend that this course may be useful to various personality types, learning style preferences, and relationship dynamics.
Participant’s commitment: Course participants have a right to decline the application of any exercise or intervention and to not disclose anything that they do not wish to disclose. Participants also agree not to be under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol as they complete the weekly coursework. Substance use that compromises cognition will diminish overall mindfulness practices and course effectiveness.
Participants are expected to remain open, honest, and reflective throughout the course and in completing the prompted interventions. Healing and improved results will be directly correlated with participants’ commitment to completing and exploring the exercises provided each week.
Potential Benefits of Participation: Course participants may experience a decrease in flooding, triggers, rumination, and intrusive thoughts. Improved feelings, thoughts, self-awareness, clarity, confidence, and an increase in self-care practices as a result of the weekly nature walks, mindfulness work, and internal challenges prompted are expected.
Potential Risks of Participation: Participation in this course may bring up a range of emotions, strong reactions, awareness of past unresolved issues, and personal insights. Some of these might be uncomfortable, and participants should be aware of this potential discomfort prior to agreeing to participate in the course. Participants are highly encouraged to work with a therapist or counselor in alignment with the course to address the uncomfortable feelings and unresolved issues that may result. Additionally, consulting a medical doctor prior to outdoor activity is advised for physical weariness, discomfort, or injury. It is important to stay hydrated and maintain safety when incorporating outdoor activities.
Limits to Confidentiality: Participant confidentiality is maintained through the course content as information is provided to the therapist upon approval of the participant through the use of the release of information form or through the therapist sign-on process previously described.
Keep in mind that serious threats of harm to self or others given at any point in time through any of the forms provided on this site once sign-up has been completed and submitted must, by law, be reported to authorities or to the therapist that has enrolled you in the course or that you have signed a release of information for.
By signing up for this course, I consent to participate in this course, given the potential risks, and I will obtain additional support for myself and/or my partner as needed.
