New Blog Alert! speaks to what has been heavy on my mind.
For as long as I can remember, I've been immersed in the mental health field. I've been in the trenches, exploring every system of "care" you can imagine—studying the jargon, learning the new modalities that often feel like old concepts repackaged with a trademark. And while I've gained in
08/06/2025
🌿 Looking for a little peace and healing? 🌿
NEWLY Located in Dowagiac, MI
At True Nature Integrative Health, we offer simple, nature-based ways to help you feel better and reconnect. Whether it’s through spending time with horses, gentle bodywork, or quiet retreats, our goal is to help you relax, recharge, and find balance—no pressure, just a chance to feel good again.
We offer:
• Quiet retreats with horses and nature
• Monthly support groups for folks who work in helping professions
• One-on-one therapy that focuses on your body and mind working together
Are you a helping professional feeling the weight of burnout? It's time to reset and nurture your nervous system. Join us at True Nature Integrative Health for two rejuvenating experiences:
🌿 Helping Professionals Monthly Support Group
A restorative space to unwind, explore your nervous system, and connect with others in a similar field. Find the support and tools you need to replenish your energy and resilience. August date is almost full!
🐴 HELD by the HERD Therapist Retreat
Take a deep breath and recharge in a tranquil setting with a focus on nervous system regulation, somatic healing, and true self-care. This retreat is designed specifically to help therapists reset, relax, and renew.
Take a break from the burnout and reconnect with your body and mind. 🌱
This speaks beautifully to the relational process we invite clients and participants to explore and why it is so important and sacred.
Do Not Touch – That Goes Both Ways
One question I often ask:
“Have you ever been touched by someone who really wanted to – but you didn’t want it?” Most people I work with say yes.
Many have experienced touch that was inappropriate, abusive, or simply unwelcome — often with the other person enjoying what they did, and the one being touched enduring it.
Yet as humans, we need touch. We are wired for connection. Touch regulates heart rate, breathing, and can trigger oxytocin – the bonding hormone. In Equine-Assisted Therapy, the value of touch is often praised.
Still, we begin with a clear “Do not touch.”
Not because it’s a rule, but because it opens the door to seeing the horse first — really perceiving the other.
The horse in the picture below is of our then newest team member. She was loved. Cared for. Touched often — but never asked. Her “no” wasn’t heard. When she came to us, she flinched at touch and froze when new people approached. She also invaded other beings' space. Boundaries were not a big part of her world.
“Do not touch” goes both ways.
In this session, a person was given a hula hoop — a visual aid for their personal space. They respected the horse’s “no” but struggled with their own. The horse pushed into the hoop space, and even though the person longed for closeness, said it felt uncomfortable. There was a wish to defend the space. (But that’s another story.)
By the end, they stood facing each other. Still. A distance between them.
A connection was said to be experienced - not in merging — but in maintaining boundaries.
To me it meant:
Boundaries made connection possible.
Two beings, both aware, both seen.
A beginning.
07/26/2025
07/24/2025
Therapists, when’s the last time you felt held?
Not by a calendar or a caseload—but by the quiet breath of a horse, playful mini pig snorts, the steadiness of your body, and the wild wisdom of the land.
Join us for HELD, a 4-day equine-supported, somatic wellness retreat designed just for therapists and mental health professionals to restore, reconnect, and play.
📅 September 11–14, 2025
📍 Dowagiac, MI — 6 peaceful acres of pasture, nature and open farmland
🐴 Featuring equine facilitated wellness (no riding), somatic movement, qigong, crafts (herb crafting and creative expression), nature connection, sleepy-time yoga, firelight storytelling and a community of fellow therapists
🛶 Includes optional river kayaking and more..
🏕️ Lodging Options: TBD (we are still looking at off site options to partner with) possible onsite camping TBD for additional fee
💰 Sliding Scale Investment: $575-$750
Includes all programming, snacks, beverages and lunch daily, farm access, and materials
(kayaking available as an optional add-on)
🎟️ Space is limited. Early registration encouraged.
🔗 Email or DM for details and to confirm interest
✨ Because you deserve the kind of care you give. Come graze, rest, and return to yourself.
We are getting a feel for interest so reach out if this is you! limited spaces available!
07/16/2025
Did you know we have a free mini course to help you find ease and learn more about our work and meet our herd? Sign up below
Somatic Wisdom from the Herd Mini Course Sign Up Sign up to receive your free video mini course. You'll also get occasional reflections, practices, and upcoming events from True Nature Integrative Health.We respect your inbox and your energy—unsubscribe anytime. Email Address Sign Up 🌿 Thank Yo...
07/12/2025
My girls in case you needed to see their close ups or if you just need to smile 💕 They stepped into a session earlier this week and took center stage so maybe I’m now a piglet assisted therapist 🥰
07/12/2025
My girls in case you needed to see their close ups or if you just need to smile 💕 They stepped into a session earlier this week and took center stage so maybe I’m now a piglet assisted therapist 🥰
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Welcome to True Nature. We aim to provide a supportive journey toward restoring balance and harmony within your life. We value each persons inner wisdom and strive to help each person on their unique journey to wholeness, to their true nature. We take a holistic approach that incorporates mind, body, and soul wellness.
With over 20 years combined experience and practice we offer a wide variety of practices including psychotherapy, coaching, yoga, meditation, bodywork, wellness workshops and retreats. We value diversity and are a culturally sensitive, trauma informed, LGBTQ+ affirming practice.
Our primary space is located in downtown Homewood, IL. While the primary practice is individual Psychotherapy and Zen Shiatsu, we offer a wide array of wellness workshops throughout the year. In the warmer months retreat style experiences are offered on our 5 acre farmette, only 45 minutes from downtown Chicago. We are excited to share our love of nature and connection to all beings. We can’t wait to connect and support you on your journey to wellness!
Our Team
Marie Sian, AOBTA-CP, LMT, LPTA
Marie is an Asian Bodywork Therapy - Certified Practitioner of Zen Shiatsu and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She’s also a License Massage Therapist, Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, Yoga teacher, Reiki Master and has done extensive training in Qigong.
Marie been on a quest for true healing and restoring the natural balance of the body. She found long term chronic pain, syndromes and dis-"eases" were not resolving with physical therapy alone and knew there was more to healing than just working on the physical body. Marie takes a holistic approach that integrates the body, mind and spirit. She is an advocate of being proactive with your health versus reactive as western medicine tends to be. She is excited to work with you to help restore your natural balance.
Jennifer A Baker, LCPC, RYT, CADC
Jennifer is a licensed Psychotherapist, Yogi, and nature lover with over 20 years experience in the mental health field. Jennifer has brought her passion and service to a variety of settings including community mental health, residential programs, hospitals, correction facilities and private practice. She is a firm believer that compassion, connection and radical self care are key to well being. Jennifer has considerable experience working with clients facing challenges related, but not limited, to relationship and interpersonal concerns, histories of trauma, mood instability, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, psychosis, adjustment difficulties, and recovery from addiction. Walking with clients on their journey to healing is a sacred and personal honor. Jennifer strives to create a collaborative and compassionate space to promote growth and healing, taking into account mind body and soul. Jennifer is currently working toward offering equine guided learning and therapy to the community and is excited to share her love of animals and nature for healing.
Thank you for your interest in True Nature, We value and appreciate all who pass through this page and would love to connect with you!
