FOUNDER/SENIOR GUIDE Valerie Radu, PhD, LCSW (Woman Who Walks in Water) is a certified ecotherapist, clinical social worker, and educator based in the beautiful Tennessee Valley. She is also a Provisionally Certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides. She is the founder of Earth & Soul Integrative Practice which offers nature-based experiences for healing and personal growth. Through these experiences, individuals can learn ways to connect or re-connect with the natural world on a deeper level and recognize the mutual relationships between humans and the earth. The gifts of the earth, when recognized and integrated into one’s life, can have a profound impact on overall health and wellness.
Throughout her life, nature has provided support, healing, and grounding especially in difficult seasons. As a clinical social worker since 1996, she has partnered with nature for her own self-care and healing. Her specialty is transitions and how, when these are honored and recognized, they provide new opportunities for growth and healing. She has been a presenter on ecotherapy for a variety of professional groups in the southeastern United States and offers workshops for professionals on strategies for integrating nature into clinical work.
Valerie received her certification through the Earthbody Institute. She completed her doctoral work at Case Western Reserve University in the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. She holds an MSW degree from Walla Walla University and a BSW degree from Southern Adventist University. She has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Tennessee since 1996.
THERAPY/COUNSELING SERVICES: Valerie an approved provider for all major insurance companies; she provides primarily telehealth services via MDLIVE and AMWELL platforms. Check with your insurance company to see if telehealth services are an option. She also accepts self-pay clients.
ADVANCED TRAININGS:
Jan 15 – 22, 2023: Rites of Incorporation: Embodying the Vision and Living the Dream, Catalina State Park – Tucson, Arizona (School of Lost Borders)
Oct. 14-18, 2022: Prayers in the Dark, Harrod’s Creek Sanctuary, Kentucky (Animas Valley Institute)
May 16-21, 2022: Wild Mind Intensive Online (Animas Valley Institute)
August 4-8, 2021: Mirroring the Four Shields, Dragonback Ranch, CO (School of Lost Borders)
SENIOR GUIDE Lucilla Nash, LCSW (Hummingbird) holds an MSW from Clark Atlanta University and has been a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) since 1993. She has over 25 years of experience in higher education, mental health, medical social work, domestic violence, and private practice. Her focus encompasses empowering others to acquire the tools to “live their best life” believing that all women are strong, powerful, beautiful and capable of finding their authentic selves.
Lucilla is a holder of council and circle. She brings her wisdom and spiritual intuition to her work; she is deeply connected to the indigenous way of knowing and being. She continues to deepen her own nature practices by connecting other women of color to the healing available in the natural world.
THERAPY/COUNSELING SERVICES: Lucilla offers individual counseling sessions via self-pay; she also works with a local victim services agency to offer free counseling services.
CLASS DESCRIPTION: Earth and Soul Healing Yoga is a gentle yoga class that is offered in collaboration with Earth & Soul Integrative Practice. The class provides opportunities for grounding and taking a deep dive into healing practices. Restorative and gentle poses are used with guided relaxation and meditation as well as breathwork to activate the parasympathetic nervous system- the system responsible for bringing calm and relaxation. This class uses trauma informed practices and is individualized to the needs of each student.