October was full of meaningful connections, new experiences, and opportunities to share my passion for healing. From gathering outdoors for a nature walk, to connecting with other holistic wellness practitioners at a community wellness fair, to speaking about Latino mental health and the healing relationship between people and nature at Rice University, this month was a beautiful reminder of why I do the work I do.
Each event offered something different, but they all shared a common thread: the importance of connection. Connection with ourselves, with one another, with our communities, and with the natural world around us.
Here’s a look back at three meaningful experiences from October and what’s coming up in November!
A Nature Walk at Challenger Seven Memorial Park
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, we gathered at Challenger Seven Memorial Park for a morning nature walk.
There is something special about stepping away from the busyness of everyday life and allowing yourself to simply be present. We often move through our days focused on responsibilities, schedules, work, and the many things that require our attention. Sometimes, we forget to pause and notice what is happening around us.
Our nature walk offered participants, including myself, an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with our surroundings, and experience the simple wonder of being outdoors.
We wandered beneath the beautiful live oaks draped in Spanish moss, admired the wildflowers along the trails, and took time to notice the smaller details that are so easily overlooked when we’re rushing through life. We even had a few encounters with some of the park’s forest residents, including busy armadillos and shy deer!
One of my favorite things about nature walks is that there is no particular destination we need to reach. We aren’t trying to accomplish anything or check something off a list. Instead, we practice being present and allowing our senses to guide us.
What do you hear? What catches your attention? What textures, colors, or movements stand out? What happens when you give yourself permission to slow down?
These seemingly simple questions can open the door to meaningful self-reflection.
From a therapeutic perspective, spending time in natural environments can support stress reduction, emotional regulation, attention restoration, and a greater sense of well-being. Nature can offer a gentle invitation to step outside the mental noise and reconnect with the present moment. The sounds of birds, the movement of leaves, the feeling of the breeze, and the changing landscape can become natural anchors for mindfulness and grounding.
I also love the opportunities for curiosity and discovery that nature provides. A spider carefully constructing its web, a wildflower growing among the grasses, or an armadillo moving along the trail can remind us that there is so much happening around us when we take the time to notice.
For me, nature-informed therapy is not simply about taking therapy outdoors. It is about recognizing the relationship between our internal experiences and the environment around us. Nature can become a companion in the therapeutic process, offering metaphors for growth, change, resilience, boundaries, rest, and renewal.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that we are part of something much bigger than our daily worries.
Thank you to everyone who joined me for this walk. I look forward to creating more opportunities for community connection, mindfulness, and healing outdoors!
The Well-Being Discovery Event
On Saturday, October 3, 2026, I had the pleasure of participating as a vendor at the Well-Being Discovery Event, Discover. Connect. Thrive., hosted by Radiance Healer’s Sanctuary in Seabrook, Texas. This event was especially enjoyable because it brought together professionals and practitioners from different backgrounds who share an interest in supporting well-being and healing.
I loved seeing the interconnectedness of the offerings, including mental health professionals, massage therapists, energy workers, and practitioners providing spiritual services. It was wonderful to be in a space where different perspectives on wellness could come together and where people had the opportunity to explore approaches they may not have encountered before.
Together with my assistant we created a table that represented the different dimensions of my work through Wayfinders Counseling. On one side, I shared information about my clinical work as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, particularly my focus on nature-informed therapy and Walk & Talk Therapy. On the other, I introduced visitors to my energy healing and shamanic-inspired offerings, including smudging, rattling, and clearing practices. I especially enjoyed the conversations with people who stopped by to learn more about how these different approaches can complement one another. Some were curious about walking therapy, while others were interested in the spiritual and energetic aspects of my work.
For me, these conversations reflect something important: healing is personal, and people connect with different pathways depending on their experiences, beliefs, and needs.
My clinical work is grounded in psychotherapy, professional ethics, and evidence-informed approaches. My holistic offerings provide a separate space for individuals interested in exploring spiritual and energy-based practices. I appreciate being able to share both while honoring the differences between them.
Events like this remind me how valuable community spaces can be for learning, connection, and discovering new ways to care for ourselves.
If you’d like to explore these offerings further, you can visit:
The 8th Latino Health Summit: Rooted in Healing
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, I had the honor of participating in the 8th Latino Health Summit at Rice University’s BRC Building in Houston. The summit was hosted by the Hispanic Health Coalition in partnership with Harris County Precinct 2.
I was invited to participate in the panel discussion, “Rooted in Healing: Latino Mental Health & Nature,” where I shared perspectives on the relationship between mental health, culture, and our connection to the natural world. I also had the opportunity to guide a brief mindfulness exercise with attendees.
This was a particularly meaningful experience for me, both personally and professionally.
I was surrounded by healthcare professionals, researchers, community advocates, and individuals who are passionate about improving the health and well-being of Latino communities. It was inspiring to be part of a larger conversation about the importance of culturally responsive healthcare and the many factors that influence our collective well-being.
During my presentation, I explored how collective grief, ancestral trauma, chronic stress, and experiences of disconnection can affect both our emotional and physical health. These experiences do not happen in isolation. They are often shaped by family histories, cultural experiences, community relationships, and the environments in which we live.
I also spoke about the importance of recognizing the strengths within Latino communities, including our connection to family, traditions, community, spirituality, and the land.
For many Latino families, nature is woven into our memories and cultural experiences. It may remind us of childhood, time spent with grandparents, family gatherings, gardens, the countryside, or the places where our ancestors lived. These connections can carry a deep sense of belonging and identity.
Reconnecting with nature can offer opportunities to remember these sources of strength and nurture a sense of connection that extends beyond the individual. One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was the opportunity to bring nature-informed mental health approaches into a broader conversation about health equity and culturally meaningful healing.
I believe we need more spaces where mental health is understood through a whole-person perspective—one that acknowledges the mind, body, relationships, culture, community, and environment.
I am grateful to the Hispanic Health Coalition and Harris County Precinct 2 for creating spaces that bring together professionals and advocates who are committed to the health of our communities. I also appreciated the opportunity to connect with fellow speakers and attendees who share this vision.
Looking Ahead to November
As I reflect on October, I feel grateful for the people I met, the conversations we shared, and the opportunities to continue growing and expanding the work of Wayfinders Counseling.
Whether through traditional psychotherapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Walk & Talk Therapy, community workshops, or holistic offerings, my intention remains the same: to create meaningful opportunities for connection, self-discovery, and healing.
And there’s more to come!
Upcoming Community Nature Walk
Join me for our next nature walk on Saturday, November 21, 2026.
- Time: 9:00–10:15 AM
- Location: Challenger Seven Memorial Park
- Address: 2301 W. NASA Blvd, Houston, TX 77598
- Cost: Free
- Availability: 8 spots
This is an opportunity to slow down, enjoy the outdoors, practice mindfulness, and reconnect with the natural world in a welcoming community setting.
Open to adults. No previous nature-walking or mindfulness experience necessary.
I hope to see some familiar faces and meet new ones along the trail!
Thank you for being part of this growing community. May we continue finding ways to slow down, reconnect, and nurture the many dimensions of our well-being.
Until we meet again, may you find a little time to step outside, breathe deeply, and let nature remind you that growth and healing are always unfolding.
Warmly,
Irma Guerrero-Ali, LMFT-S
Wayfinders Counseling, PLLC
