Somatic Nature Therapy Institute

Somatic Nature Therapy Institute Somatic & Nature-Based Therapy, Mentorship, Trainings, Quests & Rites of Passage. Previously Somatic Wilderness Therapy Institute.

Founded by Katie Asmus, MA, LPC, BMP, Somatic Wilderness Therapy Institute (formerly Namaste Healing Arts Center, LLC) is a multi-dimensional Therapeutic and Educationally-based organization incorporating Wilderness and Body-Centered Psychotherapies. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, our unique and progressive approach to healing and wellness is based on the practices of invoking the inherent wi

sdom of the body-mind, of utilizing the natural world as healer and guide, and of accessing and appreciating the abundance of the universe. At SWTI, our mission is to “open people’s hearts and minds to greater possibilities!” We offer the following four dimensions of service to our clients and to the community at-large:

1. Counseling, Coaching, & Healing
2. Teaching, Mentoring, & Consulting
3. Connecting Like-Minded Practitioners and Students
4. Promoting the Fields of Wilderness Therapy, Body-Centered Psychotherapy, Sacred Soul Work & Human Potential

If you are amidst the wild ride of creating life and being created anew through it– whether as a birthing person or a va...
04/20/2026

If you are amidst the wild ride of creating life and being created anew through it– whether as a birthing person or a valued companion– we invite you to take a moment with us to land, be held, and find some footing to anchor your voyage in the reproductive journey.

Finding Center in the Act of Creation

📅 Tomorrow at 6 pm MT

🎥 Replay available if you register
https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/finding-center-in-the-act-of-creation

Life is a never ending journey. We can plan all we want, and life still hands us twists, turns and surprises. My intenti...
04/19/2026

Life is a never ending journey. We can plan all we want, and life still hands us twists, turns and surprises.

My intention is to simultaneously live as if I could die tomorrow, or could live 40 + more years. … to hold things loosely, be somewhat prudent, don’t hold back on my dreams, and savor every moment.

I am definitely feeling the preciousness of this human life.

There are just 4 spots remaining in our upcoming Summer Nature-based Parts-work training held on the outskirts of Boulde...
04/17/2026

There are just 4 spots remaining in our upcoming Summer Nature-based Parts-work training held on the outskirts of Boulder, CO.

If something in you is being called to this exploration, or you’ve felt that nudge, or a curiosity to work with nature as a co-therapist…

Be in touch with your questions, or, if you are ready and clear, to step in!

You can learn more and reserve your spot now before they’re gone.

We’re holding a place for those who feel ready. 🌿https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/uncovering-genius

Nature therapy training season is just around the corner! If you know me, you know what a huge part of my life and work ...
04/16/2026

Nature therapy training season is just around the corner! If you know me, you know what a huge part of my life and work that nature-connection has played.

And, since the recent pandemic, more therapists and clients than ever are wanting to be outside as a part of holistic healing! We ARE nature and our bodies respond to being within natural surroundings!

If you are interested in learning more, check out our website to learn about our in-person and on-line nature-based therapy trainings and programs.

Our 8-week online training begins next week!

Go to: www.somaticnaturetherapy.com or click on our link in bio

There are few human experiences as profoundly altering as the feat of bringing another being into existence. This ultima...
04/16/2026

There are few human experiences as profoundly altering as the feat of bringing another being into existence. This ultimate act of creation is layered with complexity– the ebbs and flows, the celebrations and heartbreaks, the acute contractions and vast expansions.

This journey can bring moments of feeling as though the very ground we’re standing on is shifting– as is the nature of a transformative rite of passage!

If you are amidst the wild ride of creating life and being created anew through it– whether as a birthing person or a valued companion– we invite you to take a moment with us to land, be held, and find some footing to anchor your voyage.

This workshop will help you:
✨ Orient lovingly towards your body and being through nervous system regulation and creative connection
✨ Allow for pause and partnership in holding whatever it is that you find there
✨ Explore what it means to hold the reproductive journey as a rite of passage
Connect with avenues towards recentering and grounding that you can use right now, and cultivate intuitively into your personal practice📅 April 20th at 6 pm - 8 pm MT
✨ Replay available for all who register

Join us for a gathering dedicated to holding space for this multidimensional season of life and sharing deep care as well as tangible tools to support you on your way.

https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/finding-center-in-the-act-of-creation

What arises when you sit with this question… even for a moment?Is there a sense of openness? Hesitation? A quiet knowing...
04/14/2026

What arises when you sit with this question… even for a moment?

Is there a sense of openness? Hesitation? A quiet knowing that’s been waiting for your attention?

Sometimes it’s not actually about “failure.”

Sometimes it’s about fear of being seen… of wanting something deeply… of stepping beyond what has felt familiar or expected.

And yet, there’s also something in us that already knows.

A part of you that can imagine, sense, and feel into what’s possible—before the mind starts organizing all the reasons it can’t happen.

What would you move toward?

What might you allow yourself to want?

If you feel called to explore this more deeply—held in community, supported by the land, our Inner Quest retreats are an invitation into this kind of inner listening.

✨ What step would you take if you knew you could not fail?

https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/inner-quest-retreat

Meet the Facilitator: Angela Merrill 🌿Angela is someone who brings a deep well of experience, care, and presence to this...
04/14/2026

Meet the Facilitator: Angela Merrill 🌿

Angela is someone who brings a deep well of experience, care, and presence to this work.

Angela has spent over 20 years in the field of psychology, walking alongside people through meaningful change and healing. Her path has been shaped by integrative and nature-based approaches, rooted in a recognition that our well-being is inseparable from our relationship with the living world around us.

She holds a master’s degree in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Wilderness Therapy. She is the founder of Expanding Roots Integrative Wellness in Boulder, CO. Angela has served as a group facilitator, yoga teacher, clinical supervisor, and adjunct professor at Naropa University’s Graduate School of Psychology—and continues to teach with us at the Somatic Nature Therapy Institute.

What I appreciate most about Angela is the way she meets people—with attunement, depth, and a genuine respect for each person’s inner wisdom. There’s a grounded passion in how she teaches and holds space that invites both curiosity and trust.

If you feel curious, read more on our website. We’d love to have you join us in Intro to Therapeutic Nature-Based Interventions 🌱

https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/intro-to-therapeutic-nature-based-interventions-online-training

04/13/2026

I Just returned from the American Counseling Association national conference! It was my first time at this gathering, and was fun to get to present on Nature-based Therapy for Trauma and Nervous System Regulation!

On top of that, I gathered with some of our mid-west/east admin & operations team, saw some friends and colleagues from around the country, and met new ones at the evening social.

And, it was fun to have my team witness my teaching in action! I’d say it was a successful and fabulous trip! 💕

And thanks to Angela, who documented all of this and made us this reel!

Losing a beloved animal companion can be deeply painful— and often misunderstood. This group offers a supportive space t...
04/13/2026

Losing a beloved animal companion can be deeply painful— and often misunderstood. This group offers a supportive space to process grief, share memories, and connect with others who understand the bond between humans and their pets.

Join Nikolaia and Austin online from 5-7 PM MST every Monday.

You can expect:

Guided reflection and gentle facilitation

Support navigating grief, emotions, and healing

Connection with others experiencing pet loss.

🐈Sign up through the link below:

https://app.actualize.earth/event/EK6L7VOX38G1H

🌿 How to Integrate Nature Therapy into Your Practice 🌿🌳Outdoor Sessions: Take your sessions outside! Whether it’s a walk...
04/13/2026

🌿 How to Integrate Nature Therapy into Your Practice 🌿

🌳Outdoor Sessions: Take your sessions outside! Whether it’s a walk through a park or sitting beneath a tree, the natural world creates an intentional environment that enhances mindfulness and presence.

🌳Sensory Engagement: Invite your clients to connect with nature through their senses—feeling the texture of leaves, listening to the sounds of birds, or breathing in the fresh air. This helps ground clients in the present moment.

🌳Creative Expression: Encourage clients to express their emotions through nature-inspired art or journaling. The act of creating in a natural environment helps them process feelings in a non-verbal way.

🌳Mindful Movement: Let your clients move intuitively in nature—whether through yoga, free movement, or simple stretching. The environment fosters presence, nervous system regulation, and a deeper mind-body connection.

🌳Nature as Mirror: Encourage clients to observe the natural world for insights. Nature’s cycles and patterns can mirror their own experiences, offering new perspectives on their healing journey.

Integrating nature connection into your practice isn’t just about being outside—it’s about creating a space where clients feel grounded, supported, and inspired to heal.

You can learn more about integrating nature-based approaches in our upcoming course, Introduction to Nature-Based Interventions, by visiting the link below.

https://www.somaticnaturetherapy.com/intro-to-therapeutic-nature-based-interventions-online-training

Playing in the park in between conference sessions!
04/12/2026

Playing in the park in between conference sessions!

Address

75 Manhattan Drive #302
Boulder, CO
80303

Telephone

+17205076247

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