Heather Hendrie is a Whistler nature-based therapist and writer originally from Guelph, Ontario. She lived in Cusco, Costa Rica, California, Colorado, and the Canadian Rockies before calling British Columbia home. Heather’s intimate writing style draws on her varied life experiences and works as a clinical counselor to remind us all that in our tough or embarrassing moments; we are not alone.

Heather’s first best-selling anthology, awfully hilarious: stories we never tell, won the Canadian Book Club Awards readers' choice for best anthology in 2023. The second anthology in the series, period pieces, tells truths in an attempt to end shame around menstruation and menopause. 

In this episode of The Practice of Therapy podcast, Heather delves into the profound healing potential of nature and its evolving role in therapy. She highlights the age-old recognition of nature’s therapeutic benefits, from historical examples like tuberculosis patients who thrived in Central Park in the early 1900s, to modern initiatives such as Outward Bound that harness nature for growth and resilience. Heather also shares her personal journey, revealing how a condition affecting one in twenty menstruating individuals often goes undiagnosed due to societal stigma and stresses the importance of clinical vigilance. Additionally, she discusses the success of her anthology series "Awfully Hilarious," born from a shared experience of dating mishaps during COVID-19, which underscores the therapeutic power of humor and storytelling. Through these narratives, Heather illustrates how nature-based and community-driven approaches can revitalize both personal and professional practices, offering new perspectives on healing and connection.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

• Read the full show notes here
• Gusto: Earn $100 when you run payroll
• Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free
• Start Consulting with Gordon
• Send me the FREE Podcasting Roadmap PDF
• The PsychCraft Network
• The Practice of Therapy Community
• Instagram Mental Health Templates
• Mental Health Wear
• Awfully Hilarious: Period Pieces
• Awfully Hilarious: Stories We Never Tell
• Heather’s Website
• True Nature Wilderness Therapy
• Heather on Instagram
• Awfully Hilarious on Instagram
• True Nature Wilderness Therapy on Instagram
• Mentorship for new nature-based practitioners and aspiring self-publishing writers