Nature-Based Therapy, Indigenous Wisdom, and Healing in Social Work | Kit Kline | Episode 89

What would social work look like if nature was not treated as background, but as part of the healing relationship?

In Episode 89 of The Critical Social Worker: A Revolutionary Storytelling Podcast, Professor Ace is joined by Kit Kline, founder of Nature Based Therapy, clinical social worker, educator, and trainer. Together they explore the relationship between nature-based therapy, Indigenous knowledge, healing, identity, authenticity, talking circles, trauma recovery, telehealth, community, nutrition, and the struggle to reconnect with what modern systems often disconnect us from.

This is a rich conversation about mental health, social work, cultural heritage, grassroots healing, and what it means to practice in ways that are more grounded, relational, and fully human.

Connect and collaborate with Professor Ace:

Email: castettler@alaska.edu

Visit:

https://RevolutionarySocialWork.com

Connect with Kit Kline:

https://www.naturebasedtherapy.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kit-kline-a67229b2/

Referenced in this episode:

https://templeofthewayoflight.org/

https://www.portageandmainpress.com/Books/P/Potlatch-as-Pedagogy

Chapters:

00:00 Opening Theme + Intro

01:25 Introduction to Nature-Based Therapy

03:44 Cultural Heritage and Identity

06:22 Intersection of Indigenous and Western Practices

09:16 The Importance of Talking Circles

12:15 Nature in Social Work

14:47 Bringing Nature into Therapy

17:30 Seasons of Healing and Growth

20:28 Reconnection with Authentic Self

23:06 The Role of Education in Disconnection

29:53 The Struggle for Authenticity

32:49 Challenging Educational Norms

35:50 The Impact of Systems on Mental Health

38:21 Globalization and Identity Crisis

41:16 Nature as a Healing Force

45:25 Innovative Nature-Based Therapy Practices

47:55 Nature-Based Telehealth: Bridging the Gap

51:26 The Role of Nature in Therapy

59:15 Embracing Possibility and Connection

01:00:31 Nature-Based Social Prescribing and Community Engagement

01:02:46 Grassroots Initiatives for Community Connection

01:03:36 Nature and Nutrition: The Connection to Well-Being

01:05:31 The Power of Food in Building Community

01:08:48 The Slow Process of Healing and Growth

01:12:19 Psychedelic Therapy: Nature vs. Controlled Environments

01:16:15 Finding Balance in Healing and Nature

01:20:20 Navigating Ayahuasca Retreats and Recovery

01:25:47 Starting with Self: The Foundation of Change

#CriticalSocialWorker #NatureBasedTherapy #SocialWork #MentalHealth #IndigenousKnowledge #Healing #TraumaRecovery #TalkingCircles #Therapy #ProfessorAce