March 12 • Written by Jennifer Sierra
The morning sun cast its gentle light across the very special First Nature Ranch on March 2, 2025, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. This beautiful setting where I volunteer has become my peaceful sanctuary, and the time had finally arrived—our Wild Harmony Mother Daughter Retreat with Horses was about to begin. The sky was a perfect clear blue, remarkably cloudless and promised a perfect day for our retreat.
As co-facilitator for this retreat, I watched with anticipation as mothers and daughters of all ages arrived, some with eager smiles, others with hesitant glances, and as a therapist, I was even more excited about sharing my holistic approach to strengthening their bond, fostering open communication, and creating a space for healing and connection through mindful practices and meaningful conversations. Little did any of us know just how transformative the day would become.
The Sharing Circle: A unique Contribution by Holistic Mental Health Counseling
As part of Holistic Mental Health Counseling’s creative approach, the sharing circle was specifically tailored to create a safe, engaging space for mothers and daughters of all ages and backgrounds. Through interactive activities, the circle promoted reflection, self-awareness, and relational growth—mirroring the work I do daily, where creating safe spaces and using creative interventions lead to lasting change.
We began by exploring how horses teach us about authentic communication, including body language, nonverbal cues, listening without judgment, creating safe spaces, and speaking from the heart. Activities were carefully tailored to each participant’s developmental stage while building skills in active listening, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
The Unexpected Awakening
The retreat’s success was evident in the laughter echoing across the ranch, the love expressed in deeper ways, the joy visible on every face, and the meaningful connections strengthened throughout the day. What struck me most was the gradual transformation. Participants who arrived uncertain or disconnected engaged with genuine ease by lunchtime. The ranch’s serenity visibly settled in as groups completed their agenda free mindful nature walks.
During the horse experience, initial fear gave way to fascination. “I never realized how peaceful they could be,” one woman remarked. Under Dr. Kerul Kassel’s guidance, participants discovered unexpected insights about themselves through these gentle creatures.
Our sharing circle brimmed with laughter, gratitude, and occasional tears of joy. Many voiced plans to change their digital habits, while others expressed newfound appreciation for nature—despite a few harmless snakes seen along the way! They reflected on lessons from the “wise herd” and the digital wellbeing segment and what they would take home.
As I facilitated the nature scavenger hunt, I was moved by how curious and wise the youngest daughters were—and how pleasantly surprised the mothers appeared, as if seeing their children through fresh eyes, without the usual distractions of daily life.
Unlike the pressure-filled activities that often dominate our lives, this hunt wasn’t about winning or being the best. It was about connecting and exploring with wonder. Given these parameters, the young ones surprised us all with their wise observations and limitless curiosity. One girl meticulously noted all the different kinds of dragonflies she found—some with blue wings, others with iridescent ones. Another young participant was disappointed she couldn’t find a ladybug on the hunt, and just as we closed our sharing circle with a moment of gratitude, one landed right by her hand. The ladybug had found her on that special day, a moment of wonder that brought tears to her mother’s eyes.
Nature became our greatest teacher that day. Horses showed us the art of non-verbal communication. Open spaces invited expansive thinking. As the day progressed, participants began to express how “free” they felt. They paused to listen to the wind rustling through the trees and began to notice on a deeper level the profound wisdom within each other. As they departed, the change was clear: standing taller, making eye contact, laughing freely. Women from diverse backgrounds had found common ground, building a community that strengthened throughout the day.
Practical Takeaways for Meaningful Connection
As a holistic mental health therapist, I offer these insights:
- Pause to Understand
- Create intentional moments of stillness
- Listen with your entire being to truly understand
- Practice curiosity over judgment
- Digital Mindfulness
- Continue to notice and reevaluate how constant digital connectivity impacts your relationships
- Set boundaries with technology
- Designate device-free times
- Embrace Vulnerability
- Create safe spaces for authentic sharing
- Communicate honestly with an open heart
- Allow emotions to be witnessed, not fixed
This isn’t about perfect parenting or flawless communication. It’s about creating moments to simply be present. Whether it’s a ranch retreat or a walk at your local park, the opportunity for authentic communication and connection is always present.
Addressing the Mental Health Crisis: Creative Pathways to Wellness
This retreat embodied exactly why I founded Holistic Mental Health Counseling: to develop innovative, accessible mental health experiences that meet people where they are and create the healing spaces our community needs.
In today’s rapidly changing world, we’re facing unprecedented mental health challenges. Anxiety rates have climbed dramatically, with 43% of U.S. adults reporting increased anxiety in 2024—up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022. Yet despite anxiety being highly treatable, only 1 in 4 individuals with anxiety disorders receive proper care. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General has declared loneliness a public health crisis. Our digital lifestyle, with adults spending over 7 hours daily on screens, further diminishes authentic connections and exposure to nature.
This is why creative whole-person experiences are vital—they create accessible pathways to mental wellness outside traditional clinical settings. With proper funding and community support, these therapeutic experiences—thoughtfully designed with input from mental health professionals and evidence based holistic interventions—can complement existing resources and reach diverse populations who might otherwise have limited access to mental health support.
Taking therapy beyond the traditional office setting allows for deeper, more authentic connections. Nature-based therapy offers unique opportunities for growth and healing that simply cannot be replicated within four walls. By bringing therapeutic concepts into natural environments and nurturing authentic human connection, we’re addressing these concerns at their roots: reconnecting people to themselves, to others, facilitated by the healing power of nature and relationships. This integrative approach is how we can begin to collectively heal our disconnected society.
A call to Connection
The Wild Harmony Mother Daughter Retreat with Horses demonstrated that in a world constantly pulling us apart, we have the power to come together. We, like horses, are social beings created to live in relationships starting from our mother’s womb. When we intentionally prioritize the time to pause and connect, we create opportunities to heal, grow, and thrive.
Gratitude to our Collaborators
This transformative day would not have been possible without the incredible collaboration of our dedicated team and supportive sponsors.
A special thank you to:
- Kelly Daubach RD, Lead Facilitator and Event Organizer
- Dr. Kerul Kassel, First Nature Foundation Founder and Co Facilitator
- Michelle Natalya Moore, Digital Wellbeing Strategist & Advocate and Co Facilitator
- First Nature Ranch– Dedicated staff and volunteers
- First Nature Ranch Very Special Herd– Goldie, Tuck, Kody and Dakota, Buster and Max
We also extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors for their generous contributions, presence and inspiring words shared over lunch.
Gold sponsor- The Poinsette Foundation, led by Mia Poinsette, whose vital work empowers children through education and access in Orange and Osceola Counties.
Lunch Sponsor – Kamila, Emy and Laiza of Let Us Claim.
About Jennifer Sierra
Jennifer is an Orlando-based therapist specializing in anxiety and life transitions through compassionate, creative approaches. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Integrative Mental Health professional with 20 years of experience, Jennifer thoughtfully balances traditional talk therapy with holistic interventions to help clients find calm and strengthen relationships. Beyond her private practice, Holistic Mental Health Counseling, Jennifer maintains a heart for community involvement and mental health awareness through volunteer work, workshops, and speaking engagements. To learn more about one-on-one therapy services or professional events, you can contact Jennifer here.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2024). American adults express increasing anxiousness in annual poll; stress and sleep are key factors. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/american-adults-express-increasing-anxiousness-in-annual-poll
Murthy, V.H. (2023). Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the healing effects of social connection and community. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
World Health Organization. (2023). Mental health: Strengthening our response. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
Disclaimer:
Although deeply meaningful, community events and workshops offered by HMH Counseling are intended for educational and informational purposes and do not constitute therapy or establish a therapeutic relationship. The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared is based on our understanding and interpretation of various mental health topics. It is important to recognize the complexity of mental health issues, and the advice provided here may not address the specific needs of every reader. The content on this blog should not be considered a substitute for professional advice from a qualified mental health professional. Always seek the advice of a licensed therapist or other qualified mental health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your mental health or well-being.
