2021 Fall Adult Therapeutic Walking & Hiking Group in Skagit County: Starting October 8th, 2021

“When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free”
-Wendell Berry, The Peace of Wild Things

Grief and Loss Naturalist Group: October 2021

I am offering a bi-monthly walk/hike group for those who have experienced the death of a loved one to three years. I will be providing grief and loss coping tools, psychoeducation and mindfulness practices. Also, guidance on how to connect to the natural world for remembrance, renewal and much more. We will be also learning to ID plants, birds, animals tracks and sign! I am a trained naturalist, wilderness guide, ethnobotanist as well as a LMHC that specializes in bereavement counseling. Wild places can become allies for our life path and especially during our healing journey. This will be offered starting October 8th 2021-December 2021 and will be 50$ per person (sliding scale available)/ 1 to 2 hours.

“Wisdom grows in the woods”

How Intense will this be physically?

For this group, we will have low to medium walk/hike intensity at local natural areas in Skagit County parks, trails and sometimes hilly locations. We will be incorporating naturalist skills which may also include time sitting in nature for rest and contemplation. A description of each walk/hike, intensity and gear needed will provided beforehand.

What will we do?

At first we will have a brief sharing circle, and a theme introduced for the walk. We will have intentional solo time to contemplate or engage in a mindfulness/nature activity while walking every time. We will also have some time with others (always optional), discussing some aspect of the days topic. Nature will intercede and show us its wonders- I absolutely will pause for it! This is the beauty of allowing the landscape to nurture, teach and inspire us-which are all aspects of holistic healing from loss.

Details and Registration:

LOCATIONS: Western Skagit County natural areas.

WHEN: We will start October 8th, Time TBA

COSTS: $50 per session (Sliding scale available)/1 to 1.5 hour walks depending on weather, terrain and group needs

COVID SAFETY STATEMENT: With recommendations from WA Department of Health, CDC and local counseling and outdoor recreation ethics boards, we will require folks to wear masks if they are closer than 6 ft. We will have plenty of time walking, doing solo reflections and sit spots that will allow you to safely remove your masks.

TO BE ADDED TO MAILING LIST FOR REGISTRATION:

Please email me your full name, email, a contact phone number* to lindsayhuettman@soulstewardscounseling.com to be added to the list.

(*We will have a free 30 min consultation before group to make sure this is a good fit for you)

Wilderness Guide Qualifications: I am a certified Wilderness First Responder with over 20 years of wilderness, whitewater guiding and naturalist mentoring experience in the outdoors.

Looking forward to creating a healing community with you for all to be nourished and rejuvenated in nature!

Lindsay L. Huettman, MA LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor)

Wilderness Guide, Naturalist and Plantdork