Why Therapists Are Learning Nature-Based Interventions
“Sitting at the base of a tree, the world stops as my body roots itself to Mother Earth. In the distance, birds chant their welcoming song while a deep sense of calm washes over me. Here, I am home again.”
These are unprecedented times with a strong invitation
to slow down, push the reset button and reflect.
Let's use this time intentionally, acknowledging its gifts and challenges, by tapping into the healing qualities of nature.
Join us for a rejuvenating, experiential training designed for
mental health professionals who want to deepen their practice using proven nature-based approaches. Learn to use nature
as a co-facilitator in the healing process
to slow down, push the reset button and reflect.
Let's use this time intentionally, acknowledging its gifts and challenges, by tapping into the healing qualities of nature.
Join us for a rejuvenating, experiential training designed for
mental health professionals who want to deepen their practice using proven nature-based approaches. Learn to use nature
as a co-facilitator in the healing process
In today’s fast-paced, screen-saturated world, mental health professionals are increasingly turning to nature as a powerful ally in healing. This 25-CEU continuing education program invites therapists, social workers, and counselors to step beyond the walls of traditional practice and explore the transformative potential of nature-based therapy. Through a rich blend of theory, experiential learning, and practical tools, you’ll discover how to skillfully integrate ecotherapy into your clinical work — enhancing outcomes for clients while nourishing your own professional well-being.
APRIL 30-MAY 3, 2026
CE credits beyond four walls
RESERVE YOUR SPOT Take your therapy practice outside the office— and into the wild.
JOIN US OUTDOORS — WHERE THERAPY BREATHES DEEPER.
Step into the woods, onto the trails, and into the wonder.
Come wander with purpose and leave with tangible skills,
renewed clarity, and 25 CEUs.
Step into the woods, onto the trails, and into the wonder.
Come wander with purpose and leave with tangible skills,
renewed clarity, and 25 CEUs.
Sunburst Sanctuary, Santa Barbara, CA
Sunburst Sanctuary and Organic Farm is a center for holistic learning, healing
and conscious living, cared for by our cooperative community. Sunburst is
also passionate about exploring, implementing, and sharing principles of
regenerative Earth stewardship through permaculture and organic farming,
headquartered on California’s Central Coast just
north of Santa Barbara near Lompoc, CA.
and conscious living, cared for by our cooperative community. Sunburst is
also passionate about exploring, implementing, and sharing principles of
regenerative Earth stewardship through permaculture and organic farming,
headquartered on California’s Central Coast just
north of Santa Barbara near Lompoc, CA.
Join us in co-creating a reflective experience to explore the present opportunities, to re-imagine a mindfulness, wholesome, and beneficial approach to using nature as your co-therapist.
Throughout the course, participants will engage in one or more
experiential learning activities, such as nature walks, mindfulness
exercises, and reflective journaling, to deepen their understanding
of the healing qualities of being in nature.
By the end of the course, counselors will emerge with
enhanced entry level skills and confidence to begin exploring
nature's therapeutic potential in their counseling practice,
enriching the lives of their clients and fostering greater
harmony between individuals and the natural world.
Throughout the course, participants will engage in one or more
experiential learning activities, such as nature walks, mindfulness
exercises, and reflective journaling, to deepen their understanding
of the healing qualities of being in nature.
By the end of the course, counselors will emerge with
enhanced entry level skills and confidence to begin exploring
nature's therapeutic potential in their counseling practice,
enriching the lives of their clients and fostering greater
harmony between individuals and the natural world.
Step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary
We are Imagineering together.... let nature guide you.
When: April 30, checkin starts at 3 - 5PM goes until the morning of Sunday May 3, after our sunrise and closing ceremony, 10 AM.
Where: Sunburst Sanctuary Organic Farm, Santa Barbara, CA
Includes: All teachings offered by our CEU Team, gourmet vegetarian meals, a multi-day retreat experience, course materials, on-line support with post Zoom conf. calls, private Group Facebook page, and Journal of Re-Imagining Therapy
CEU and Certificate Info: Course meets the qualifications for 25 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences; and Celebrate Life, provider # 1032861, is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education forLMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Celebrate Life maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Course completion certificates will be awarded after the closing ceremony and completion of course evaluation is turned in and participant has signed out.
Please contact program coordinator at [email protected] before the deadline date if you need to cancel or have any question about our refund/cancelation policy, directions, location, dietary needs, or logistics. Please contact Patrick Talbot, to address any grievance, concerns, or course content at (805) 798-3427 or email at [email protected].
Where: Sunburst Sanctuary Organic Farm, Santa Barbara, CA
Includes: All teachings offered by our CEU Team, gourmet vegetarian meals, a multi-day retreat experience, course materials, on-line support with post Zoom conf. calls, private Group Facebook page, and Journal of Re-Imagining Therapy
CEU and Certificate Info: Course meets the qualifications for 25 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences; and Celebrate Life, provider # 1032861, is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education forLMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Celebrate Life maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Course completion certificates will be awarded after the closing ceremony and completion of course evaluation is turned in and participant has signed out.
Please contact program coordinator at [email protected] before the deadline date if you need to cancel or have any question about our refund/cancelation policy, directions, location, dietary needs, or logistics. Please contact Patrick Talbot, to address any grievance, concerns, or course content at (805) 798-3427 or email at [email protected].
What to expect
- Pre-trip Zoom Gathering - Setting the field, Co-creating a brave space
- April 30, Thursday, Arrival Check in - Welcome Orientation, opening council and intimate intro to Healing Beyond Four Walls and Nature Immersive Therapy / Eco-Therapy.
- May 1, Friday, Morning meditation introduction to mindfulness practices, yoga/stretch, breath work followed by breakfast and morning teaching, Dancing The Wheel of Life and heART Circles of Intentions, with a focus on Eastern Quadrant and group process of selecting small intentional learning groups for our first rotation. Afternoon rotations may include garden plant and harvest working the soil within, a sensory expanded walkabout in wonder and ah, or creation of a sit spot (an intentional solo time practice). Welcome return circle and beauty way teaching, dinner and evening owl eye night hike.
- May 2, Saturday, Morning Mindfulness Practices revisited, breakfast with bowls of wisdom to share, rotation stations focus on South and West Quadrants, exploring mutually beneficial relationships, hike to meditation yoga platform or wishing tree. Welcome return circle with free time to journal, rest before dinner with an invitation to begin to create your own ceremony, solo time in nature. with an invitation to begin to create your own ceremony, solo time with nature. After dinner circle of harvesting our experiences around a fire with tea and dessert sharing ideas of integrating nature immersive therapy practices into their treatment plan. A quiet walk back to our community village with your accountability partner brings closure to the day.
- May 3, Sunday, Sunrise ceremony and closing council, accountability partner check in and light breakfast.
What is included
- All teachings offered by our CEU facilitating team with guest guest teachers from Sunburst
- 4 days 3 nights multi-day retreat at Sunburst
- Includes 7 meals
- A guide to create your own personal Ceremonial Chest or Bundle
- The Re-imagine Guided Journal
- Access to private group web-page with course resources, support material and on-line group blog and Facebook Community for 12 months, to help deepen your practice.
- Personal expenses not listed in the itinerary
What to bring
- Comfortable stretchy clothes for hiking and meditating
- 1 Liter water bottle for your free time adventures or thermal hot water bottle for an outdoor tea exploration.
- Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen for daily hikes/walks
- Small day-pack for water, snacks, blanket, personal journal and favorite pen or art supplies.
- Small bag to carry ceremonial collectibles for heART Circle exercise, practicing the beauty way as Earth Art.
- Comfortable light footwear for walks PLUS footwear for trail hikes
- Warm layers for evenings and possible cool weather (fleece, puffy jacket, hat, gloves)
- Yoga mat and meditation cushion (optional - we have plenty)
- Camera for photos during outings
- Daily Temperatures during the event could be as low as 60 ̊F at night and as high as 85 ̊F. A weather update will be sent out one week prior to event Please pack accordingly. If you need further recommendations for packing please let us know.
- A smile on your face and a passion for living life fully in your heart.
Re-Imagine Therapy, Healing Beyond Four Walls
Retreat Costs and Registration
Prices listed below are your total cost for the retreat including the selected lodging option. Go to the link of your choice for more details of what each includes. (*Prices do not include credit card process fee calculated at check out)
Your Guides
Patrick Talbot, LMFT
Since 1989, Patrick has brought his love and enthusiasm to enliven souls through transformational seminars, retreats, and nature-based programs in schools and corporate settings.
Oceanna Talbot, LMT
Teacher / Navigator in the Somatic Arts and Learning field. She brings 20 years as a passionate guide aligning awareness and "in the present" practices of our Inner Nature with our greater family Mother Nature.
Marie Charest, Ph.D., LMFT
For over 16 years, Anne-Marie has helped individuals to explore the inner landscape and to deepen their connections to themselves, to nature, to life itself through the nexus of Eastern and Western traditions, science and spirituality.
Vivian Valentin, Ph.D.
A Cognitive Neuroscientist for 10 and a yoga teacher for 15 years, Vivian has been creating neuroscience-informed mindfulness and nature connection experiences for the last 7 years for educational, professional and cultural organizations.
Since 1989, Patrick has brought his love and enthusiasm to enliven souls through transformational seminars, retreats, and nature-based programs in schools and corporate settings.
Oceanna Talbot, LMT
Teacher / Navigator in the Somatic Arts and Learning field. She brings 20 years as a passionate guide aligning awareness and "in the present" practices of our Inner Nature with our greater family Mother Nature.
Marie Charest, Ph.D., LMFT
For over 16 years, Anne-Marie has helped individuals to explore the inner landscape and to deepen their connections to themselves, to nature, to life itself through the nexus of Eastern and Western traditions, science and spirituality.
Vivian Valentin, Ph.D.
A Cognitive Neuroscientist for 10 and a yoga teacher for 15 years, Vivian has been creating neuroscience-informed mindfulness and nature connection experiences for the last 7 years for educational, professional and cultural organizations.
Cancellation Policy
We allow free cancellation up to April 1. After April 2, 2026 your booking is NON-REFUNDABLE. We highly encourage travel insurance for your event, as this is a big investment, and if weather or other circumstances forbid your arrival, we cannot offer refunds UNLESS you or we can refill your space.
Getting to Sunburst Sanctuary Organic Farm, SB, CA
Airfare and ground transport to/from Santa Barbara are not included. We suggest flying in/out of Santa Barbara Airport. They tend to have the best flights and inexpensive car rentals. From SB it is a 1.2 hour car drive north from Santa Barbara to Sunburst. Take the 101 north to exit 132 to Lompoc on Cabrillo Hwy CA 1, San Julian RD for another 4.8 miles to the Sunburst entrance 7200 S Hwy One, Lompoc CA 93436. From ventura and Oxnard areas it is about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive depending on traffic.
Is this retreat for me?
This is an opportunity for those who are new to nature immersive therapy or want to add new tools that will assist them to bring their own practices to a deeper level, while supporting each other to THRIVE in a beautiful natural setting. This re-treat is as much for you as it is for your clients.
Our Prerequisites:
Our Prerequisites:
- You do not need to have previous experience in formal or personal ceremonial nature practices.
- Must be interested in self-growth and harmonious conscious living with nature.
- Must be open to learning and growing with others.
- Must have a willingness to be humbled by nature.
- Able to arrange travel plans to check-in at Sunburst by 4pm April 30 and are welcome to come earlier to walk the land.
- Must be able to stay through the entire retreat and not depart Sunburst before sunrise and closing ceremony is complete May 3, 2026.
- Must be willing to fill out the application below and have a personal phone interview.
