December Forest Bathing Retreat

About Leni Barker I’m Leni Barker — a Therapeutic Arts Practitioner, Certified Forest Therapist, and wholehearted believer in the healing power of nature. I gently guide people back to themselves through creative expression, embodied presence, and meaningful connection with the Earth. With a background in Person-Centred Art Therapy and Counselling Skills, and over a decade of experience in youth and family work, I offer compassionate, non-judgemental spaces for people to slow down, feel safe, and explore their inner world at their own pace. At the heart of what I do is a deep love for nature and a desire to help others rediscover their own sense of wonder. My work weaves together forest bathing (Shinrin-Yoku), creative practices, meditation, and seasonal wisdom — offering sessions that move with the Wheel of the Year and help people reconnect with both the natural world and their own natural rhythms. I believe the forest can hold us in ways words cannot. That when we walk among trees, we walk with something ancient — something that remembers us. I offer gentle invitations to breathe deeply, move slowly, and listen: to the Earth, to your body, and to the quiet voice within. Whether you're seeking space to reflect, heal, grow, or simply be, my approach is rooted in empathy, presence, playfulness, and kindness. I’m a little eccentric, endlessly curious, and often barefoot in the woods — homemade tea in hand, enchanted by the changing leaves or the sound of wind in the branches. My sessions are open to all — whether you're navigating change, burnout, grief, or simply feel the call to reconnect with nature and yourself. You don’t need to be ‘outdoorsy’ or artistic — just open to stepping into the forest and discovering what’s waiting for you there. You are welcome, just as you are.