We are offering something new this year— an Equine-Facilitated Retreat for Therapists and Mental Health workers!

Nature and Horses: A Therapeutic Retreat for Therapists

Jess teaming up with with Jen from @truenatureintegrativehealth to host a 3-day, 2-night nature-based experience that will be sure to fill you, nurture you, inspire you, and challenge you (in a good way!)! This particular retreat will emphasize experiential modalities and give participants the opportunity to explore the issues of power, privilege, and oppression in the therapeutic relationship while developing a deeper understanding of their own well-being.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will explore their own nervous system regulation via experiential therapies (art, trauma-conscious yoga, nature, and equine-facilitated activities).

Participants will be able to describe the way that their own nervous system (regulated and dysregulated) impacts their perception of clients and their approach to services.

Participants will discuss ethics of various experiential therapies, including themes of supervision, ongoing professional development, and issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Who: any mental health provider who wants to deepen their own healing work in order to better support their clients and prevent burnout; we are seeking CEUs for licensed professionals.
Limited to 12 participants.

What: a 3-night, 2-day nature-based immersion into experiential therapies. You will stay in one of our 8 furnished “glamping” tents, each with its own campfire ring, and be facilitated through self-reflection, nature-based activities, art-based activities, trauma-conscious yoga, and equine-facilitated experientials. *No horse experience necessary.

When: Friday September 29 (3:00pm start time; arrivals as early as 1:00pm) - October 1 (ending at 1:00pm)

We will also have a required pre-meeting on Monday, September 18th, 2023 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm CST.

Where: the immersion will take place in Wisconsin (40 minutes west of the Dane County Airport) at WILD3R Farm, with some activities taking place at Snapdragon Farm and Stables. The two farms are about a half mile apart from each other.

*Lodging and meals included.

Registration closes September 1, 2023.

For more information contact Jess Dallman at (701)870-0022, or jess@naturalwisdomcounseling.com. Mail can be received at
Natural Wisdom Counseling LLC
1523 WI-78 Trunk
Mount Horeb, WI 53572

Registration is open! In the registration process we will gather some basic information about you, do an phone/Zoom meeting to answer any questions, and then you will be able to pay via PayPal, IvyPay, or check to secure your spot.

Total Cost: $1650
Early Bird Discount: $1500 - Complete registration and submit payment by July 21, 2023 and save $150
BIPOC/AAPI Discount: Save $100
LGBTQ2SIA+ Discount: Save $100
Share-a-tent Discount (2 people max per tent): Save $100 each

Yes— discounts can stack!

Full payment must be received by September 15, unless otherwise agreed.

Meet your facilitators:
Jennifer Baker, LCPC TCYM-YT, RYT will be coming from her practice @truenatureintegrativehealth in Illinois to co-lead this intensive. Jennifer is a licensed psychotherapist, yoga teacher and horsewoman. She offers the opportunity to work from a mind, body, and soul connection, and enjoys offering healing work with horses, that includes somatic and nature-based therapies. Jennifer is a culturally sensitive, LGBTQ+ affirmative therapist, with a deep commitment to BIPOC community.
Jess Dallman, LPC NCC IMH-E is a lifelong nature lover and seeker of truth. Jess integrates relational approaches into every modality, adapting to each client, family, or group. Their practice emphasizes equitable access to services and prioritized Deaf/hard of hearing clients, people experiencing foster/adoption systems, families, and trauma recovery.

Both Jess and Jenn have experience providing workshops and retreats for professionals independently, and are thrilled to be joining forces to offer this one-of-a-kind experience.

This 6-week, ongoing group for adults will explore the many layers and dynamics of relationships while outdoors, with horses, and doing various activities. Join us for a supportive, relational group that highlights your growth edges and makes space for any of the difficulties you are experiencing at this time.

All genders welcome. This is a queer and BIPOC led space.

Where: Snapdragon Farm and Stables; 1523 WI-78 Trunk, Mount Horeb, WI

RSVP with your interest in joining the group to get the conversation started!

Register by May 8th at 5:00pm

Maximum of 16 participants (minimum of 8)
Cost: $700 (that is less than $55/hour!); Scholarships and Payment Plans available
6-week group for adults (all genders)
Every Wednesday, May 24-June 28
6:00pm-8:00pm

ASL interpreters will be provided.

Whether you’re struggling with loneliness, the loss of a loved one, satisfying relationships, caregiving stress, divorce, and/or the cumulative stress of recent years, join us for an ongoing therapeutic group to practice connecting with authenticity, curiosity, and integrity. This group will include nature-based, art-based, and equine facilitated approaches to support a deeper sense of connection and relationship.

RADical Relating© is a Natural Wisdom Counseling LLC approach to therapeutic groups. We recognize that much of the pain and trauma that people experience has been, and continues to be, relational, and that most of us have not been taught how to build Relationship Across Differences (R.A.D.). Through RADical Relating, we build the capacity to acknowledge and honor our differences, and in turn build the compassion necessary to interrupt patterns of violence, exclusion, judgment, self-criticism, and self-hatred.

Meet your facilitators!
Elizabeth Seeliger is an equine therapy specialist and coach, trained by the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies, with additional expertise in attachment, lived experience as a queer person, adoptive experiences, working with systems, infant mental health, and art-based and nature-based approaches to growth and healing.
Angele Mlsna is an equine therapy specialist, in training through the HERD Institute, with additional expertise in navigating medical systems, lived experience as a multi-racial Latina, and art-based and nature-based approaches to growth and healing.

This 6-week, ongoing group for adults will explore the many layers and dynamics of relationships while outdoors, with horses, and doing various activities. Join us for a supportive, relational group that highlights your growth edges and makes space for any of the difficulties you are experiencing at this time.

All genders welcome. This is a queer and trans/non-binary led space.

RSVP with your interest in joining the group to get the conversation started!

Register by May 8th at 5:00pm

Maximum of 16 participants (minimum of 8)
Cost: $600-$700 recommended range ; Scholarships and Payment Plans available
6-week group for adults (all genders)
Every Tuesday, May 23-June 27
6:00pm-8:00pm

Whether you’re struggling with loneliness, the loss of a loved one, satisfying relationships, caregiving stress, divorce, financial difficulties, and/or the cumulative stress of the past year, join us for an ongoing therapeutic group to practice connecting with authenticity, curiosity, and integrity. This group will include nature-based, art-based, and equine facilitated approaches to support a deeper sense of connection and relationship.

RADical Relating© is a Natural Wisdom Counseling LLC approach to therapeutic groups. We recognize that much of the pain and trauma that people experience has been, and continues to be, relational, and that most of us have not been taught how to build Relationship Across Differences (R.A.D.). Through RADical Relating, we build the capacity to acknowledge and honor our differences, and in turn build the compassion necessary to interrupt patterns of violence, exclusion, self-criticism, and self-hatred.

Fire is the energy of change and transmutation. Fire can turn wood to ashes and clay to pottery. Fire can eliminate invasive species and bring health and vitality back to a forest. Creation of fire depends on fuel and spaciousness. Throughout the weekend you will have opportunities to explore what fuels you and how you carve out the space for creativity and connection. We will also navigate themes of sparking passion, letting go of what no longer serves you. In Alchemy, Fire is the terrestrial manifestation of the Sun, so you will have plenty of time to play, hike or rest in the sunshine too!

Retreat Overview:
This retreat is a deeply connective experience in the rolling hills outside of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. We will explore themes of light and darkness, destruction and renewal.

Preparation:
In preparation for the retreat, Elizabeth or Angele will send you a detailed itinerary, release forms and other paperwork that will help you prepare for your weekend.

Your Retreat Time:
Please arrive between 4:00 and 4:30 pm Friday evening. We will help you get your things to your tents if you are planning to stay on the land. We will begin the time together with a communal meal. Vegetarian and Gluten Free options will be available. Please be sure to specify dietary requirements on the registration forms. You will have time to arrive, settle in and meet other guests. After dinner we will spend time connecting with the land, each other, and setting intentions for retreat. There will be a bon fire prepped for your enjoyment. Choice is integral to healing and well-being. Therefore, all activities are available to you but you can choose to participate in as much or as little as you’d like.

We will have a breakfast prepared for you, complete with tea and coffee to greet you first day. We will then begin a more intimate introduction to the land. We will take a walk, while Elizabeth, a native plant expert, helps you learn to identify native plants and invasive species. You will learn about plant medicine and the ways in which reciprocity with the land can provide abundance and healing. You will forage plants that we will use to turn into individual and group art pieces. We will partner with the life giving fire, the sun, as our artistic medium.

On our final day together, you will have breakfast prepared by a local private chef who will talk with you, if you are interested, about the local ingredients and how earth elements are woven into the meal. We will then embark on a morning of mindfulness, meditation, massage and other restorative practices that will fill you up as you prepare to wrap up your retreat stay.

Sunday morning massages will be offered in private screen tents on the retreat property to allow you to connect with the natural elements while connecting into your body. Massages are provided by local certified professional massage therapists from Divine Healing. You will have a 45 minute massage slot and can then spend the rest of your Sunday morning participating in mindfulness and meditation activities or however you wish.

We will have a closing fire ceremony where you will be invited to consider how to incorporate the gifts and insights from your retreat time into your daily life. We will close our ceremonial time together at 1:00 Sunday afternoon, having cultivated a deeper relationship to self, nature and our own inner truths.

Do you breeze through life, never stopping to catch your breath? Then this retreat is for you. We will investigate the lessons air has to offer through experiences with breath, air currents, and interspecies energy currents. Do you buzz like a honey bee or ground like a horse? We will interact with the animal spirits of both and see what lessons they have to offer. We will intentionally slow down and bring awareness to the air and wind, breath and scents. We will practice wonder as we consider the way winged ones partner with air. Prepare for a slow, mindful, relaxing weekend.

Water is life. We are made of water. We are grown in and breathe water before we emerge into this world. Water is connection. Waterways have connected peoples from across continents and throughout the world. Water represents restoration and cleansing. Water also manifest incredible strength and resilience to shape landscapes, polish stone, and carve out new paths when necessary. Throughout the weekend you will have opportunities to explore the lessons the waters have to teach. Reflect on your own adaptation and resilience as you float down the Sugar River. Water can teach us to nurture ourselves, restore our spirits and find flow in everything we do.

Retreat Overview:
This retreat is a deeply connective experience in the rolling hills outside of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.

Preparation:
In preparation for the retreat, Elizabeth or Angele will send you a detailed itinerary, release forms and other paperwork that will help you prepare for your weekend.

Your Retreat Time:
Please arrive between 4:00 and 4:30 pm Friday evening. We will help you get your things to your tents if you are planning to stay on the land. We will begin the time together with a communal meal. Vegetarian and Gluten Free options will be available. Please be sure to specify dietary requirements on the registration forms. You will have time to arrive, settle in and meet other guests. After dinner we will spend time connecting with the land, each other, and setting intentions for retreat. There will be a bonfire prepped for your enjoyment. Choice is integral to healing and well-being. Therefore, all activities are available to you but you can choose to participate in as much or as little as you’d like.

We will have a breakfast prepared for you, complete with tea and coffee to greet you first day. We will then begin a more intimate introduction to the land. We will take a walk, while Elizabeth, a native plant expert, helps you learn to identify native plants and invasive species. You will explore the ways that water shapes and adapts to the environment as we experiment with water in a nature-themed art project. In the afternoon, you can explore the adorable town of New Glarus when you pass through on your way to the included water excursion. Spend the afternoon kayaking or tubing down the Sugar River. This self-paced, self-guided activity will allow you explore the river eco-system or just lay back, relax, and allow yourself to be moved by the wisdom of the water.

On our final day together, you will have breakfast prepared by a local private chef who will talk with you, if you are interested, about the local ingredients and how earth elements are woven into the meal. We will then embark on a morning of mindfulness, meditation, massage and other restorative practices that will fill you up as you prepare to wrap up your retreat stay.

Sunday morning massages will be offered in private screen tents on the retreat property to allow you to connect with the natural elements while connecting into your body. Massages are provided by local certified professional massage therapists from Divine Healing. You will have a 45 minute massage slot and can then spend the rest of your Sunday morning participating in mindfulness and meditation activities or however you wish.

We will have a closing water ceremony where you will be invited to consider how to incorporate the gifts and insights from your retreat time into your daily life. We will close our ceremonial time together at 1:00 Sunday afternoon, having cultivated a deeper understanding of the ways in which you, like the waters, are adaptable and resilient; able to shift and flow or carve your own path.

To know the land is to know ourselves. This retreat, more than others will really focus on the ways in which we can develop a reciprocal relationship to land. You will help to co-create a land-based meditation and ceremony, learn to identify native and non-native plant species, and participate in foraging and wild-crafting. You will leave with a deeper sense of connection to yourself and to place. You will leave with a deeper knowing that whatever else in your life feels unstable, the earth is always there to nurture and hold you.

Retreat Overview:
This retreat is a deeply connective experience in the rolling hills outside of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. We will explore themes of reciprocity, grounding and abundance.

Preparation:
In preparation for the retreat, Elizabeth or Angele will send you a detailed itinerary, release forms and other paperwork that will help you prepare for your weekend.

Your Retreat Time:
Please arrive between 4:00 and 4:30 pm Friday evening. We will help you get your things to your tents if you are planning to stay on the land. We will begin the time together with a communal meal. Vegetarian and Gluten Free options will be available. Please be sure to specify dietary requirements on the registration forms. You will have time to arrive, settle in and meet other guests. After dinner we will spend time connecting with the land, each other, and setting intentions for retreat. There will be a bonfire prepped for your enjoyment. Choice is integral to healing and well-being. Therefore, all activities are available to you but you can choose to participate in as much or as little as you’d like.

We will have a breakfast prepared for you, complete with tea and coffee to greet you first day. We will then begin a more intimate introduction to the land. We will take a walk, while Elizabeth, a native plant expert, helps you learn to identify native plants and invasive species. You will learn about plant medicine and the ways in which reciprocity with the land can provide abundance and healing. You can choose to participate in foraging for plants to turn into medicinal balms that you can take with you.

On our final day together, you will have breakfast prepared by a local private chef who will talk with you, if you are interested, about the local ingredients and how earth elements are woven into the meal. We will then embark on a morning of mindfulness, meditation, massage and other restorative practices that will fill you up as you prepare to wrap up your retreat stay.

Sunday morning massages will be offered in private screen tents on the retreat property to allow you to connect with the natural elements while connecting into your body. Massages are provided by local certified professional massage therapists from Divine Healing. You will have a 45 minute massage slot and can then spend the rest of your Sunday morning participating in mindfulness and meditation activities or however you wish.

We will have a closing ceremony where you will be invited to consider how to incorporate the gifts and insights from your retreat time into your daily life. We will close our ceremonial time together at 1:00 Sunday afternoon, having cultivated a deeper relationship to self, nature and our own inner truths.

In the natural world around us, we can find a wide range of normal and natural variation.

This 5-month therapy group will lean into the realm of normal and natural variation while exploring topics of belonging, self-expression, and safety in relationships among 13-17 year-olds who identify as a member of the LGBTQ2IA+ community.

Limited to 10 participants, in accordance with our current COVID-19 policies.
Register by Monday, April 19th.

This is an ongoing, closed-group commitment and includes family involvement at the beginning and end of the series.

The total cost is $650 and includes all supplies and 12 hours of therapy time.

Family Intake Session by Thurs., April 15

Teen Groups:
Tues., April 27; 6-8pm
Tues., May 25; 6-8pm
Tues., June 22; 6-8pm
Tues., July 27; 6-8pm
Tues., Aug. 24; 6-8pm

Family Debrief Session by Sept. 24

In the natural world around us, we can find a wide range of normal and natural variation.

This 5-month therapy group will lean into the realm of normal and natural variation while exploring topics of belonging, self-expression, and safety in relationships among 8-12 year-olds who identify as transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, gender fluid, or gender expansive.

Limited to 10 participants, in accordance with our current COVID-19 policies.
Register by Monday, April 19th.

Fourth Tuesday of each month, April through August. This is an ongoing, closed-group commitment, and includes family involvement at the beginning and end of the group series.

The total cost is $650, which includes all supplies and 12 hours of therapy.

Family Intake Session by Fri., May 14

Pre-Teen Groups:
Tues., April 27; 3:30-5:30pm
Tues., May 25; 3:30-5:30pm
Tues., June 22; 3:30-5:30pm
Tues., July 27; 3:30-5:30pm
Tues., Aug. 24; 3:30-5:30pm

Family Debrief Session by Sept. 24