Connecting With Ground
A 5-Day In-Person Program for Counselors and Healers
Nature-Based Interventions for Working with Trauma, Attachment, and Nervous System Regulation
36 NBCC Credit Hours Available
The Somatic Nature Therapy Institute’s Connecting with Ground is a five-day, in-person, experiential training designed to teach you the basic theoretical underpinnings of acute and complex trauma, as well as attachment theory.
We explore how nature can assist in nervous system regulation and healing through a wide range of nature-based interventions for managing stress, anxiety, and trauma symptoms.
And we use a combination of didactic and experiential methods to learn how to support longer-term trauma resolution and healthy attachment.
Participants will have the opportunity to deepen their own relationship with the natural world and learn how to draw upon this connection to inform their work with others.
Who This Training is For
Connecting with Ground is for counselors, coaches, educators and healers who work with, or want to work with, clients who are struggling with trauma. The nature-based interventions you’ll learn in this training can be applied indoors, outdoors, and even online as you support clients. You’ll deepen your skillset, increase value for your clients, and improve therapeutic outcomes.
What You’ll Get From This Training
Gain an understanding of the basic neurophysiology of stress and trauma
Be able to identify more subtle stress and trauma responses when they are happening with clients
Learn, practice, and experience many nature-based interventions that support grounding, anxiety management, and nervous system regulation (including mindfulness, sensory awareness, metaphor, expressive arts, and direct relationship with the natural world)
Understand the role of mindfulness and body-mind connection within the facilitation of nature-based interventions
Learn how to create and assess appropriate nature-based interventions for specific client symptoms
Deepen your own relationship to nature, as a foundation for providing nature-based interventions for others
Additional resource that include handouts, articles, reading recommendations, descriptions of experiential exercises, and more
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
Training Outline
Day 1: Training overview, group connection, introduction to trauma and nature-based resourcing interventions
Day 2: Introduction to the neurophysiology of trauma, deepening resourcing in nature, the role of mindfulness and sensory awareness in nature-based interventions
Day 3: Introduction to nature-based attachment theory and related interventions, practicing pendulation, conversations with the natural world, and wanders on the land
Day 4: Secure attachment with the Earth and nature-based attachment interventions
Day 5: Practical applications and considerations of nature-based therapy, case-specific examples and practice, nature’s support in post-traumatic growth, next steps, group closing
What People are Saying About Connecting with Ground
Training Details
Next Training:
July 16 - 20, 2025
Location:
In the mountains 45 min west of Boulder, CO on private land (at 9,200 feet above sea level)
Price:
Regular rate - $1795
Prerequisites:
Introduction to Nature-Based Interventions is recommended, but not required.
Food and Lodging: Inquire with us about on-site and local camping and lodging options. There are AirBnBs, and campgrounds near the property. There are also several hotels within a 20 to 45 minute drive to the training location. Please let us know and we can help with recommendations.
Continuing Education Details
Clinical learning objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Understand the Neurophysiology of Stress and Trauma
Explain the basic neurophysiological mechanisms of stress and trauma, including how they affect the body and mind.
Identify the physiological signs of stress and trauma responses in themselves and others.
Recognize Subtle Stress and Trauma Responses in Clients
Observe and identify subtle behavioral, emotional, and physical stress and trauma responses in clients during therapeutic sessions.
Demonstrate awareness of how these responses manifest in different therapeutic settings.
Learn and Experience Nature-Based Interventions for Nervous System Regulation
Participate in and describe a variety of nature-based interventions, including grounding techniques, mindfulness practices, and nature-assisted exercises, to support nervous system regulation and anxiety management.
Explain how these interventions help individuals return to the present moment and reduce stress.
Create and Assess Nature-Based Interventions for Different Client Needs
Develop and apply appropriate nature-based interventions based on individual client symptoms and the context of the therapeutic environment (e.g., individual vs. group, outdoor vs. indoor).
Assess the suitability of specific interventions to match client needs and program objectives.
Understand the Role of Mindfulness and Body-Mind Connection in Nature-Based Therapy
Describe how mindfulness practices and the body-mind connection support therapeutic outcomes in nature-based interventions.
Implement mindfulness techniques in nature settings to enhance clients' awareness and present-moment engagement.
Explore Therapeutic Practices that Support Nervous System Regulation
Practice and facilitate sensory awareness exercises, nature metaphors, and expressive as well as contemplative interventions to regulate the nervous system.
Identify when and how these practices can be used with clients in nature-based therapeutic settings.
Develop a Personal Relationship with Nature to Enhance Therapeutic Practice
Reflect on and deepen your personal relationship with nature as a foundation for facilitating nature-based interventions with others.
Demonstrate how a personal connection to nature can enhance authenticity and effectiveness in therapy.
Registration process: To register for the program, please click the apply button and schedule a zoom call with our Program Director. The purpose of this call is to answer questions you may have about the program and to help determine if the program will meet your training goals.
Cancellation policy: We offer full refunds until four weeks prior to the program start date, excluding the deposit of $595. For participants who paid in full, a deposit of $595 will be deducted from the refund. Between two and four weeks prior to the program start date, we will refund all but 50% of the payment amount. If it is less than two weeks prior to the program start date, there is no refund. Regarding all payment plans, our policy is that if circumstances arise that require you to exit the training during the course, while we sympathize with your situation, we require you to fulfill your financial commitment.
If the program is canceled for any reason, your deposit and any other fees will be returned.
Attendance requirements for receiving CE credit: You must attend at least 60% of the live sessions in order to receive any CE credit for the program. Attendance will be recorded each day of the program.
Continuing education (CE) credit: Somatic Nature Therapy Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7785. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified on the program’s specific webpage. Somatic Nature Therapy Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
If you attend all live sessions for this program, you will receive 36 NBCC credit hours. You are responsible for confirming with your state licensing board if they accept NBCC credit hours for continuing education.
American Disabilities Act: If you require special accommodations to attend any of our programs, please contact us at Info@somaticnaturetherapy.com.
About the Course Creator and Your Facilitator
With several decades of experience in outdoor education, therapy, teaching, and rites of passage guiding, Katie Asmus, MA, BMP, LPC, the founder of the Somatic Nature Therapy Institute, is an expert facilitator and educator on nature-based therapeutic interventions.
Katie started her career as an instructor for Outward Bound and after becoming a clinician, began training outdoor educators and facilitators how to identify and address trauma and panic responses among students on wilderness trips.
Katie also has had a 20-plus-year career working with therapy and coaching clients and teaching graduate-level wilderness therapy, adventure therapy, ecotherapy, and somatic therapy at Naropa University and Prescott College.
She is a skilled facilitator, educator, speaker, and therapist who has trained practitioners internationally in somatic and nature-based interventions for working with trauma, attachment, and nervous system regulation with a strong emphasis on parts work. Katie also focuses on incorporating ceremony and rites of passage into healing work in order to honor life transitions. She has developed a number of professional trainings for helping professionals in these areas, has presented internationally for over 20 years, published a variety of writings, and has been a frequent guest on podcasts and as a speaker in international communities. She is passionate about sharing the many ways nature connection can be woven into the therapeutic process and empowering practitioners to lean into the inherent wisdom of the natural world.
Apply for Connecting With Ground
To get started, click the link below to book time with our program coordinator. On the call we'll share more information about the program, answer any questions you have, and collaboratively determine if it is the right fit for you. From there, we will send you enrollment and payment details.
For questions or if you’d like more information, please contact us.
Learn more about all of our Wilderness Therapy and Nature-Based trainings for counselors, coaches, educators, and healers.