About Me

My name is Annemarie, and I am a lover of nature who grew up being the last one to come inside! I have a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver and am a certified forest therapy guide from the Forest Therapy School. In addition, I am a New York State Licensed Hiking Guide through the Department of Environmental Conservation. With over 40 years of experience in clinical social work, my work supported individuals and families in a variety of healthcare and non-profit settings.

Throughout my social work career, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the restorative power of nature and felt inspired to share this transformative experience with others. I started Nature Therapy from the Heart to provide individuals, groups, and organizations with meaningful opportunities to connect with nature’s profound healing benefits—enhancing physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Shortly after starting my nature therapy private practice, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. After a long year of active treatment, I am even more committed to offer nature therapy services to those who experience chronic illness, including cancer patients and survivors, and for individuals with disabilities who often have challenges accessing nature experiences.

I love walking in the woods and meandering along the waterways that make up the Finger Lakes, the Saint Lawrence River, and in parks along The Hudson River Parkway in New York State. I also offer urban nature therapy services in New York City. My nature therapy services are offered in person and online in every season.

My hope is to provide experiences that improve participants’ lives while fostering a deeper connection to and care for the planet we all share.

–Annemarie Mattison, LCSWR