Heather & Julia - True Nature Therapy in Whistler and Squamish

Our Team

At True Nature, we all share a passion for sustainability, wellness and connection to self, others, and Earth. We believe in reciprocal right relationship with nature to support abundance, healing and thriving for all. We work independently as private practitioners, connected by these shared values. We collaborate by sharing ideas and perspectives on how to best support you, while encouraging one another's continued growth, learning, and of course, play! Come join us to see if nature-based therapy is right for you to help you reconnect to your own true nature.

~ Heather

Our Guides

We have each walked through wilderness to wellness in our own lives. Our paths, like yours, have been unique and diverse. Choose which practitioner most resonates with you. Look at our photos, read our descriptions. Success in therapy depends much upon the relationship you can build with us: how safe, heard and connected you feel to us. How seen you feel by us. Book an initial consult to feel it out, then we’ll go from there!

Julia

Hi, I’m Julia, and I can’t wait to walk with you!
If you're feeling lost, disconnected, or unsure as to next steps - you are not alone. I'd be honoured to connect virtually or on trail to offer you my support. What if it didn't have to be so hard?

My own life journey carried me from one coast to the other, from my birthplace in Newfoundland to where I now reside in Squamish. When I first got to Squamish, I owned and ran a small business (so I can empathize with all you entrepreneurs out there!) Over the past few years, I have also loved deepening my connection to our community by working with PearlSpace (formerly Howe Sound Women’s Centre) and Sea to Sky Community Services. This not only inspired my further development as a therapist, but gave me a good sense of the landscape of mental health in Squamish and the supports available to our Sea to Sky community.

Through this time, I found my own therapeutic support for challenges I encountered along the way, and it has made all the difference. This inspired me to show up for myself in new ways, and now for you! I look forward to meeting you right where you’re at — whether that be from the comfort of your home with virtual video sessions, or on trail, as we walk and talk it through, together.

I hold a Masters in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). I’m passionate about supporting both adults (18+) and couples.

I can’t wait to meet you, and to walk together on trail!

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Heather

Hi! I’m Heather and I so look forward to walking and working with you!

I’m a graduate of Naropa University’s Transpersonal Wilderness Therapy program.

I’ve spent years as an outdoor guide, world traveller and agent for environmental protection. My path to my calling took me 20 years. Now that I’m there, I want to support you in coming into your calling too. I am now finding great joy in weaving together the golden threads of what I’ve always loved in my work as a wilderness therapist. I take mindfulness-based approaches to healing and use AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), and nature-based practices to support you in thriving. My first degree in Kinesiology lay the foundations for my understanding of physiology and movement and I take body-based approaches to our healing work together. I am trained in Joanna Macy’s Ecopsychology and am a facilitator of The Work That Reconnects, as well as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC (RCC).

To find out more about Heather, visit her site www.heatherhendrie.com

I am currently not taking on new counselling clients and my waitlist is closed at this time. To book in with an amazing trusted True Nature team member, I highly recommend taking a walk with Julia on one of her favourite Squamish trails.

At the moment, I am still providing mentorship to therapy students and new clinicians. I’m particularly passionate about supporting new nature-based practitioners on their journey of becoming helping professionals. If this sounds like you, and what you’d like to do is to help walk others home, please reach out for a mentorship consult!

Having recently published an accidentally best-selling, award-winning book series about embarrassing moments called awfully hilarious I’m particularly passionate these days about destigmatizing both menstrual and mental health. I’m also lit up about supporting new therapists in their nature-based work. If you’re a client looking for therapeutic support, a new therapist seeking guidance as you grow, or on your own journey of client advocacy, writing and wilderness therapy, I’m happy to meet you to walk, ski, or connect with you on the trails or online. Reach out to me for an initial 15-minute video consult to see if this is a fit for you. I can’t wait to meet you!

In it together,
Heather

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I am a white, cisgendered, heterosexual woman. I am committed to educating myself about social justice issues and am passionate about doing my best to correct racial, systemic, social injustices. Let’s begin by acknowledging that I currently work, live and play on the unceded, traditional territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. This includes the territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish ), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Lil̓wat7úl, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Folks love walking with Heather because her positive energy is contagious, she has amazing active listening skills, and she always provides a new sense of perspective and hope.

Heather

Hi! I’m Heather and I so look forward to walking and working with you!

I’m a graduate of Naropa University’s Transpersonal Wilderness Therapy program.

I’ve spent years as an outdoor guide, world traveller and agent for environmental protection. My path to my calling took me 20 years. Now that I’m there, I want to support you in coming into your calling too. I am now finding great joy in weaving together the golden threads of what I’ve always loved in my work as a wilderness therapist. I take mindfulness-based approaches to healing and use AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), and nature-based practices to support you in thriving. My first degree in Kinesiology lay the foundations for my understanding of physiology and movement and I take body-based approaches to our healing work together. I am trained in Joanna Macy’s Ecopsychology and am a facilitator of The Work That Reconnects, as well as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC (RCC).

To find out more about Heather, visit her site www.heatherhendrie.com

I’m happy to meet you to walk, ski, or connect indoors or online. Reach out to me for an initial 15-minute phone consult to see if this is a fit for you!

I am a white, cisgendered, heterosexual woman. I am committed to educating myself about social justice issues and am passionate about doing my best to correct racial, systemic, social injustices. I want to begin by acknowledging that I work, live and play on the unceded, traditional territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. This includes the territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish ), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Folks love walking with Heather because her positive energy is contagious, she has amazing active listening skills, and she always provides a new sense of perspective and hope.

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Connect

Julia

I draw from an eclectic background like Narrative Therapy, Attachment Theory, and Internal Family System’s (IFS), and Somatic approaches.

As we go through life, we collect stories and meaning behind our interactions and experiences. Most of the times these serve us well, as they give us a framework and context to operate within. However, sometimes, these narratives and the stories we tell ourselves are outdated, and are causing us to act in ways that feel misaligned to our intentions. My job, as your therapist, is to help you understand those misalignments and to guide you to new patterns and ways of being that feel conducive to your ideal way of being and healing.

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Wilderness Therapy

with Heather

Kelsie

Hi, I’m Kelsie, a transplant to Salt Lake City, UT from the Midwest!

I’m a graduate of Naropa University’s Transpersonal Wilderness Therapy program.

Moving out west is what inspired me to fulfill my dreams of becoming a therapist. The mountains, rivers, and the beauty of nature provide so much metaphor to things we all might be trying to overcome or are going through. I believe in client-centred psychotherapy, meaning YOU drive the session. I am here to assist, guide, and journey through with you. I like to use mindfulness, CBT, attachment theory, and get to know your inner child.

Let’s explore!

Folks love walking with Kelsie because she has unbelievable powers of observation, she’s a stellar and intuitive listener, & she never gives up on anyone.

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Larissa

Hi, I am Larissa, born and raised in Southern Ontario.

I have now lived most of my adult life in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, traditional territories of the Blackfoot and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina, and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nation.

Over the years, I have made peace with the dichotomy of finding home in more than one place: the mountainous river valleys of the west and the warm waters and shield rock of the east. I am a Registered Master of Social Work (MSW, RSW) with clinical specialization. I am trained in Hakomi: Mindfulness-Based Somatic Psychotherapy, and am a certified Right Use of Power teacher.

I come with 6 years experience working as a mental health therapist and over 10 years experience working as an addictions counsellor specializing in wilderness therapy, supporting individuals and families creating change in their lives. The bedrock of my practice relies on building a therapist-client relationship that maximizes respect and safety, so we can together explore and gently interrupt the unconscious patterns held in thoughts, behaviours, emotions and body that often lead to feeling stuck and seeking help in the first place. As a skilled therapist, I look forward to highlighting your strengths, while collaboratively supporting your endeavour to thrive and lead a more expansive life.

Folks love walking with Larissa because she is perceptive and gentle but will challenge you in just the right way. She can say just one word that lets you know she’s right there with you & she can always make you laugh.

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