Are you an empath? Do you feel things deeply? As an empathic child, society taught me that I was not okay being who I was. I was taught to be less emotional, don’t cry, don’t feel the pain of others or the world. How can an empath not feel pain in a world where humans have tortured others for thousands of years through war, violence, oppression, ridicule and so much more. We are taught to numb our emotions with drugs, alcohol, food, sugar, excessive work or too much exercise…all things that bring about poor health.
I know there is a better answer. Connect to the world in which we evolved and naturally has our best interests at heart. Connect to the world which accepts us exactly as we are meant to be, exactly who we are. The forest accepts us unconditionally.
A deer does not care if a tree is bent or scarred. It just goes about its day finding food, resting and playing. Similarly, a tree can hold space for all your emotions and even suck them up and root them deep into the ground where they can regrow into love and joy and wonder.
When we connect our natural heart sense, our emotional sense, to the many stimuli in the forest, our bodies remember who we are, why we are, and our true selves come alive. I want to see you come alive!
Your heart is extremely valuable and needed in our world to heal our world and make it a better place for all beings, especially you! By empowering your heart, you will better connect with others whom you have, or want to have, in your life.
For seven years, I was yelling at my child about once a week, as my dad had done in our household when I was a child. About a year after my forest therapy practice began, I noticed that the frequency of my yelling significantly decreased to only once or twice a year. This greatly improved my relationship with my daughter.
Are you an introvert? What did life teach you as an introvert? As a mostly introverted child in our North American society, I was taught that if I could not speak fast and butt into other conversations, then my voice did not matter.
As an introvert, who put a lot of thought into what I wanted to say, I was too slow for this fast paced society. Double that with being an empath, I took my time to deeply feel what others were saying. That meant that I left space after others spoke before I spoke. But, by the time it felt right to share my thoughts, someone else had spoken up. There was no room for my voice.
What I love about forest therapy and the way I guide is that every voice and every form of communication matters. This includes English words, other languages, silence, gestures, tears, laughter, song, dance…the whole works! Everyone is encouraged to share from the heart and listen from the heart without interruption. We allow for silence to be included in one’s communication. In this way, participants are valued, and their voice is empowered.
Another reason that introverts enjoy forest therapy is that most of the time we are silently connecting with nature. As introverts, we value this silent time. This practice values silence and stillness. It is here we feel we belong and are valued. It is here we can deeply understand that we matter. It is here where we can hear ourselves and the wisdom of our bodies. It is here that our voices are empowered!
If you are an empath or an introvert seeking to further empower your voice and purpose in this world, I invite you to join our small group guided forest therapy retreat designed specifically for empaths and introverts. This retreat will get you deeply rooted in the practice with support, information and techniques that will motivate you to keep on your own forest therapy journey. Group experiences have the added benefit of meaningful, authentic connection with other people who are wired the same way as you and meandering a similar journey too.
Limited to 5 participants
WHEN: September 5 - 7, 2025
WHERE: Pender Harbour, Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada
Register Here for $444 by August 28th for the retreat services mentioned above including all home cooked meals. Free camping accommodation available or you may choose to stay elsewhere in the community.