September 5-7, Eco-transference Training for Professionals
Working Through Eco-transference: Exploring Environmental Bias in Therapy
Training Overview:
Are you a nature-informed practitioner filled with ideas for integrating nature into your practice that never seem to materialize? Feeling uncertain about how to segue office-based clients outside? Is it possible that there is something about your own relationship to nature that’s standing in your way? Join certified nature-informed trauma therapist and clinical supervisor, Krista Bajgier, LCSW-C, MEd, on an immersive forest-based journey to examine the unconscious biases we carry about the natural world and it's influence on our therapeutic work.
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Harper's Ferry, WV
This 3-day professional development training will take place on the beautiful private land of the Friends Wilderness Center, located near Harpers Ferry, WV. Harper's Ferry is a river-side community located on the historical lands of the Manahoac, Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee) and Massawomeck Peoples.
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Program Schedule and Locations:
Pre-Program Logistics Meeting: Participants are asked to participate in a pre-program virtual meeting to ensure all participants are informed about program requirements, program risks and liabilities, and feel prepared for a overnight forest-based training. Camping equipment is made available for a small rental fee.
​Sep 05-07, 2025: Participants are asked to arrive at the Friends Wilderness Center in Harper's Ferry between 9:30-10:00am on Friday, Sep 05 to check in and prepare camp sites. Training concludes around 2pm on Sunday, Sep 07. Detailed instructions and directions will be provided to registered participants only.
Program Trainer
Kris Bajgier, LCSW-C, MEd is a clinical social worker and member of the Wilderness Guides Council. She has certifications in Nature-Informed Therapy and Wilderness First Aid. She has a love of hiking, foraging, and the woods. She will provide gentle guidance and prompting throughout the journey to support participants in exploring themselves and their relationship to nature through mindfulness, contemplative practice, and campfire councils. Read More >>
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Training Learning Objectives
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Understand and apply principles of object relations and attachment theory in the assessment of transference and personal bias(es)
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Identify cultural and historic influences on environmental transference and bias(es)
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Distinguish between biophilic and biophobic bias(es)
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Examine personal attachment styles in relation to both human interactions and interactions with nature
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Learn and practice evidence-based interventions for disrupting provider and client eco-transference and enhance effectiveness of the therapeutic triad (therapist-client-nature).
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Enhance awareness of nature immersion for reducing negativity bias of the natural world
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Develop tiered exposure interventions for addressing provider and client biophobia and negativity bias
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Program Costs
Program registration is due by August 30, 2025 including a training fee of $425. Space is limited and spots are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis based on payments received. Training fees include training materials, meals, camping fee, and a pre-trip logistics meeting. An NASW CEU application has been submitted for this training program in order to offer professional development credits. Please visit this site in June 2025 for an update on the CEU approval process.
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Camping Equipment
Outdoor Therapeutics has a limited number of gear kits available to participants who do not have their own camping equipment. Gear kits include a two-person tent, tent rain cover, backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and stove with a gas canister. Participants may rent gear kits for an additional $50 at the time of registration.
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Questions before registering?
Please contact info@outdoortherapeutics.com if you have questions before making payments.