Whole Hearts, Minds & Bodies
Whole Hearts, Minds & Bodies (WHMB) brings young people out of the clinic and into the outdoors through a clinically supervised, nature-based, therapeutic mentoring program for young people who have complex emotional and behavioral needs, and require intensive and frequent mental health support. WHMB is the only nature-based behavioral health treatment program certified by Medi-Cal, making us pioneers in the growing movement of nature as medicine.
We’re transforming behavioral health by using the power of nature as medicine through our innovative, science-informed 4Roots method for holistic human development.
Our 4Roots Method
Helps young people who are navigating trauma, substance use, clinical depression, anxiety, and other severe mental health conditions treated with clinical interventions experience results that they weren’t able to get from past traditional behavioral health interventions and reduce or altogether eliminate psychiatric medication from their mental health clinical care.
Helps young people learn how to navigate the complexities of healing from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by building authentic relationships that provide a safe space for them to find purpose and strengthen their well-being through meaningful, intentional experiences in nature.
In nature, young people receive one-on-one support from trained therapeutic mentors who provide consistent, compassionate care and connection under clinical supervision.
Our Therapeutic Mentors
Help young people learn emotional coping tools, life skills, and empowered mindsets that instill a sense of purpose so they can navigate challenges in their schools, home lives, and communities with confidence.
Don’t ever shy away from challenges. They work with young people who have complex emotional and behavioral needs, and require intensive and frequent mental health support.
Have personally experienced transformation in nature and approach their work determined to ensure every young person can have these experiences, too.
Create an experience that feels authentic and accessible. Once a week, young people usually get picked up from home or school, complete an activity with their mentor in nature, share a meal together, and then return home a few hours later.
Work with their families and their other support networks so that they continue thriving after their participation in our program.
Impact: Success in Our Approach
our 2023/2024 Fiscal Year numbers
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77
Total number of WHMB youth served
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52%
LatinX and other youth of color in our caseload
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91%
Clients still engaged after 6 months
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69%
Clients engaged for 12 months
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6–18
Months of high-level engagement in program
Impact: Success in Our Approach
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45%
Less emotional distress
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45%
Less relational distress
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42%
Less somatic distress
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23%
Fewer critical incidents