Business Details
Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
As a certified ANFT Forest Therapy Guide, I bring a lifelong passion for environmental stewardship and holistic well-being to the ponderosa pine forests of Flagstaff, Arizona—the largest contiguous stand of its kind globally. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, my connection to nature was shaped by the island’s lush rainforests and coastal ecosystems, later deepening through years of marine conservation and environmental activism in the Galápagos Islands. There, I witnessed firsthand the interdependence of human and planetary health, a principle central to ANFT’s Relational Forest Therapy™ approach.
My journey to Forest Therapy began as a natural extension of this work, blending clinical psychology training (postgraduate certificate) with Indigenous-inspired reverence for land. ANFT’s philosophy—“The Forest is the Therapist; the Guide Opens the Doors”—resonates deeply with my belief that healing arises through reciprocal relationships with nature. In guided walks, I create spaces where participants reconnect with the More-Than-Human World through sensory invitations, mindful movement, and storytelling, all while honoring the ponderosa’s aromatic phytoncides and the sacred landscapes of the Colorado Plateau.
Bilingual in Spanish and English, I prioritize inclusivity, drawing from my experience as co-founder, along with my wife, of a bilingual early childhood education center in Flagstaff. This work, alongside raising two daughters, fuels my commitment to fostering environmental literacy across generations. My approach integrates ANFT’s Standard Sequence and Wilderness First Aid training with techniques refined during 6 months of mentored practicums, ensuring safety while empowering participants to discover nature’s “medicine” on their own terms.
The Galápagos taught me resilience—a lesson I carry into Forest Therapy. Whether guiding near Sedona’s red rocks or the Grand Canyon’s rim, I emphasize cultural adaptability, weaving Puerto Rican jíbaro traditions with Diné (Navajo) land wisdom. My clinical background informs trauma-sensitive practices, helping participants navigate stress through evidence-based nature immersion.
Beyond guiding, I advocate for eco-reciprocity, channeling years of activism into community programs that pair forest therapy with conservation initiatives. This dual focus mirrors ANFT’s mission to heal both people and planet through heart-centered relationships.
Rooted in Flagstaff yet globally minded, I invite you to experience Forest Therapy not as a retreat from life, but as a homecoming—a chance to remember your place in nature’s web.
