Human Nature Counselling Society
1124 Fort Street V8V3V4 Victoria, BC, Canada

Human-Nature Counselling is featured in this great article from Macleans about the benefits and rising interest in nature-based therapy (particularly during pandemic times). For more insight into nature-based therapy and our practices, check out our book - Nature-Based Therapy - co-authored by our directors Katy Rose, David Segal, and our associate, Dr. Nevin Harper! Available in print or digital through New Society Publishers: https://newsociety.ca/books/n/nature-based-therapy

Register here! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/online-and-in-person-nature-bas We have two sessions of our Intro to Nature-Based Therapy course currently available for registration! Inviting all practitioners who are curious about Nature-Based Therapy and are looking to gain confidence to shift their indoor or online practice outdoors. Our April seminar still has room and is coming up quick! Dates are April 15, 16 and 23 from 1:00-4:30pm. ... All courses are currently offered through Zoom. Cost: $300 (+GST/registration fee) Low incomes bursaries are available - please email [email protected] #nearbynature #naturebasedtherapy #counselling #bctherapy

More details and registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/online-and-in-person-nature-bas

Still some room in our upcoming parent course navigating gaming/screen use time in youth. Sign up before all the spots are gone.

We usually associate stress with a negative experience, but that’s not always the case! Psychologist Richard Lazarus coined the term eustress to capture the positive experience of stress, which can be stimulated by engaging in an activity that puts you out of your comfort - not so much to cause distress, but enough to throw off your natural homeostasis. . This is different for everyone. Maybe a challenge for you is spending the whole day outdoors, or maybe it’s a 12km hike.... Either way, the experience of completing a challenge that evokes subtle and manageable stress is a great way to experience eustress. While there may be feelings of frustration or irritation in completing the challenge, we also open ourselves up to a variety of positive reactions such as excitement, appreciation, joy, and even peace. . For more information on eustress and its role in the work that HNCS does, check out Nature-Based Therapy by Nevin Harper, Katy Rose and David Segal, or read Dave & Katy’s article in YAM - both resources can be found through our website (www.humannaturecounselling.ca/news-media/)! See more

As we round the last corner of 2020, give yourself permission to enjoy the little things that bring you joy and calm. . #healingnatureconnection

Hard to believe, but true! In British Columbia, there is no single authority that ensures counsellors are trained and accountable. That’s dangerous. Regulation... protects people from harm. It’s time for BC to regulate counselling therapy. Learn more: https://factbc.org/ #RegulateCounsellingBC #counsellingtherapy #britishcolumbia #bchealthcare #bchealthandwellness #counselling #counsellor #therapy #bcmentalhealthmatters #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing #mentalhealthawareness #bc

Check out executive director David Segal speak on the latest episode of the Very Bad Therapy Podcast! The episode explores initial experiences with traditional counselling, the benefits of nature-based therapy, and the difference between adventure therapy and nature-based therapy! Link to the episode on Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com//podcast/very-bad/id1464567770 Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Kim is one of our fantastic Registered Clinical Counsellors! Here’s what she had to say about nature-based therapy: Being outside provides an opportunity to connect with the natural world around us - to let go of the thoughts that pull us into the past and future, and to feel the restorative power of simply being where we are, in the present. ... Some of her favourite nature spots include: -Gowlland Tod Park -The Juan de Fuca coastline -Dallas Road beach

Did you know? Hugging trees can be a pathway to stimulate the vagus nerve - increasing your vagal tone activates the sympathetic nervous system, which allows for relaxation from stress. . The recent tightening of COVID-19 restrictions has left many of us feeling anxious and/or worn down. For those with a little bit of nature nearby - why not try giving your favourite tree a squeeze? You might be surprised by the sense of calm, connectedness and peace afforded by this simple action . #healingnatureconnection

We’re excited to announce our prize winners from Tuesday’s fundraiser! Congratulations Janna, Callum, Manue, Monica and Michael! . Another huge thank you to EVERYONE that donated. We raised over $8,000! All of that goes towards providing more affordable & accessible nature-based therapy - support that is so needed during this difficult time. . #healingnatureconnection

Thank you so much to everyone that’s donated so far! Every donation before 11:59PM tonight will be entered to win one of our door prizes! Draw will happen on Thursday, November 12. Winners will be contacted by email. Link to donate: https://hncs-1-day-email-fundraiser-71118.causevox.com/

We are blown away by the generosity coming in from today’s fundraiser! Thank you everyone for your support. We are so grateful! Haven’t donated yet? You’ve still got time! Link: https://hncs-1-day-email-fundraiser-71118.causevox.com/ Happy Tuesday, all! Hope everyone has been able to enjoy a little bit of nature today, whatever that means for you.

Human-Nature Counselling Society’s co-founder Dave Segal speaks to the power of nature-based therapy. Our fundraiser is fully underway! There’s still time to donate and help provide affordable & accessible nature-based services to those who require it. Plus, fun door prizes for any donation ($25 or $100, doesn’t matter)! Link to donate: https://hncs-1-day-email-fundraiser-71118.causevox.com/

I have been extremely fortunate to have been connected to Human-Nature Counselling for nearly ten years. . As a youth, participation in the Family Roots program helped me navigate anxiety, and also strengthened my family system. . As an adult, as things have come up in my life, my counsellor and I have worked through issues of anxiety, identity, loss and clarifying my own values. ... . Doing this in the context of nature therapy has deepened that intrinsic connection that we all share with the natural world - strengthening my internal resources and my ability to weather challenging times in life. -HNCS client, Victoria To support our work and provide more opportunities for nature-based therapy on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, please consider donating to our fundraiser! Link in our bio @human.nature.counselling See more