Human-Nature Counselling Society
The Courtnall Society is proud to support Human-Nature Counselling Society, an organization dedicated to fostering playful encounters with nature and creating safe spaces for self-exploration, self-awareness, and meaningful connections. Through their innovative programs and commitment to holistic well-being, Human-Nature Counselling is making a profound impact on mental health in our communities. Human-Nature Counselling recognizes the critical role of group programming in addressing mental health challenges such as stigma, social isolation, and despair. One of their most impactful initiatives is the Guam Guam Specums program.
This school-based program is designed to enhance students’ social and emotional well-being while increasing engagement in their school environment. Specifically tailored for First Nations youth in Greater Victoria, particularly in the Esquimalt school catchment, Guam Guam Specums integrates therapeutic nature counseling with place-based learning. Rooted in the First Peoples Principles of Learning and Indigenous Ways of Knowing, the program offers a nurturing environment for students to develop self-awareness, explore personal growth, and build meaningful connections with their peers and the natural world.
One of Human-Nature Counselling’s key achievements is the creation of a certification program in nature-based therapy. This initiative is not only expanding their reach but also cultivating a community of mental health professionals dedicated to healing people while caring for the planet.