Groups are based in mindfulness and reciprocity and use elements from AEDP, somatic/embodied therapy, DBT, neuroscience, and Snowy’s training as an outdoor guide.

‘Wilderness Therapy,’ as defined by Snowy, is the participation in nature-based therapeutic interventions that promote healing with and within the more-than-human world (nature).

The mindful outdoor experiences that Wolf Tree Wilderness Therapy™ groups offer are similar to experiences that shinrin-yoku (Forest Bathing) provide. As Rawaha Haile (2017) so aptly puts: “The popularity of forest bathing in the U.S. is unsurprising, particularly in metropolitan areas where people may wish to get outside more often than they wish to go outdoors. To many, the former sounds closer to a stroll in the park than a trek up a mountain. Forest bathing sits in the middle of this false dichotomy, one where people associate being in nature with roughing it or struggle to think of experiencing nature as relaxing. Instead, forest bathers intentionally go outside to relax with nature, and allow nature to help them relax.”

As a group, we learn and practice mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, stress-reduction activities, grounding skills, and emotional regulation skills in order to seek healing, undo aloneness, and connect with our core selves.

We learn about trees, plants, terrain, and animals while also learning about neuroscience and our body-brain connection.

This is not an exercise-focused group. The pace of our walking will be slow and deliberate. We will be stopping often to gather, learn, and share.

Rahawa Haile (2017) provides one of the best descriptions of participating in a mindful outdoor experience: “On first glance, it looked like a two-hour walk in the woods. Our guide had already tackled the hard part of finding a trail with minimal elevation gain and limited poison oak along its flanks. This wasn’t a hike, we were reminded. A hike usually involved clear endpoints and physical exertion. We were invited to walk slower than usual, perhaps a quarter of our normal speed. To pay attention to the different shades of green we encountered, the snapping of twigs beneath our feet, the sudden vaulting of winged life—nothing was ornamental. Everything was in its right place, including us. The forest bathers and I had come to the woods in search of peace. All of us were to be present, focused solely on the moment. Our immersion in the natural world would act not only as a balm to everyday stresses but a catalyst: According to the event description, we had gathered outside that day to emerge, as flowers might after a long winter.”

Wolf Tree Wilderness Therapy™ is in-network with Aetna, Evernorth/Cigna, Optum/UHC. Medicare plans will also reimburse for most out-of-pocket group costs.

Out-of-pocket costs for each 7-week group cycle is $250 (about $36 per meeting).

If your health insurance is out-of-network, or if you are having trouble with any out-of-pocket costs, there is one spot available in each group that is fully sponsored and of no-cost to the participant.

This sponsored spot is offered first to someone that identifies as part of the BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ communities.

Anyone who is Hodihnohso:nih (including Gayogo̱hó:nǫʼ, Onödowáʼga:, or Onöñda’gaga’ people) will always be able to attend any wilderness therapy group or private mindful outdoor guiding for free.

Groups typically meet weekly, for 7 weeks.

Please allot 120 minutes of outdoor time for each group meeting.

Each week, the group will be in a different, specially chosen location. This location is determined by weather, trail conditions, and theme.

Meet-up spots will always have free parking.

Most meet-up spots are located in Tompkins County and/or within a 30 minute driving radius of Ithaca, NY.

Participants are responsible for wearing masks (if not fully vaccinated) and bringing water bottles and rain/snow gear (if needed).

Snowy will carry first aid supplies and all other equipment. Snacks and tea are offered at each group meeting.

Space is limited to 8 participants at a time.

If the group is full, you will be added to a waiting list and will be contacted if there is an opening or asked if you would like to join the next group that runs.

In 2019, The University of Exeter published a study that found at least two hours (120 minutes) per week in nature promotes overall better health and well-being. 120 minutes is the threshold (under this amount of time doesn’t show any benefits or measurable differences). In addition, the health and wellbeing benefits of 120 minutes per week in nature applies to everyone. Regardless of gender identity, age, income, occupational groups, ethnic groups, long-term illness or disability- 120 minutes in nature benefits all.