Nature's Embrace
Can the forest heal us?
Guests at Dimensions Retreats in the Haliburton Highlands discover the awesome power of nature-based therapy.
Nature's Embrace
Can the forest heal us?
Guests at Dimensions Retreats in the Haliburton Highlands discover the awesome power of nature-based therapy.
As autumn’s golden hues settle over the Haliburton Highlands, Dimensions Retreats emerges as a sanctuary for those seeking to reconnect with themselves through nature. Here, amid the scent of pine and the crunch of leaves underfoot, guests find a therapeutic experience unlike any offered by traditional clinics or urban wellness centres.
“When people arrive at Dimensions, they’re often still in overdrive from their urban experience,” says Chris Dawson, one of Dimensions Retreats co-founders. “Within hours they become more relaxed and willing to open up, to be vulnerable to nature rather than shut down by concrete.”
It’s a shift that happens naturally in this environment, where concrete jungles give way to living forests and reflective lakes.
Many guests arrive carrying the weight of modern living.
“They may not always have the words for what’s wrong,” shares Donald Currie, Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and Clinical Director at Dimensions Retreats, “But their nervous systems are often dysregulated, and they’re seeking an opportunity for a reset.”
Nature is not just a setting here; it’s an active partner in the healing journey, a co-therapist that's essential for reducing cortisol levels, activating our parasympathetic nervous system, supporting our immune system and reducing inflammation..
“A walk in the forest, swimming in water, or sitting under the open sky invites a softening that’s challenging to access in a city,” Donald explains. “Nature helps our guests to open up and transform by regulating the nervous system, drawing us into the present moment, and by holding us without judgement. It teaches us to slow down, and it is within that stillness that insights arise and healing begins."
“A walk in the forest, swimming in water, or sitting under the open sky invites a softening that’s challenging to access in a city.”
The breakthroughs that happen at Dimensions often occur in the simplest moments: a pause on a trail, a gaze across a lake, or a quiet sit beneath a tree.
“Dimensions has several spots within our natural setting that are places to stop, contemplate, even meditate,” Chris notes. “A connection in the context of nature is a very powerful thing.”
Donald shares similar experiences: “Sometimes the breakthroughs are subtle— the dropping of the shoulders, the softening of the muscles, or simply a smile as they look out on the lake. The stillness, the sounds of nature, and the reflection of the trees in the water allow something inside them to shift.
One thing we hear often is that nature reminds them they are connected to something greater than themselves. It reminds them that they belong.”
“In stillness, people begin to hear their own inner voice again and reconnect with parts of themselves that they have been disconnected from. It’s only in the absence of noise that true clarity can arise.”
Silence, solitude, and stillness play essential roles in this process.
“The healing process at Dimensions is largely about connection — to nature, to others,” Chris explains. “But often, it is the reflection on that connection in the quietest moments that leads to unique insight.”
The experience of nature here is not something that can be replicated in a traditional indoor setting.
“The sound of wind, the scents of the forest, the feeling of water on our skin when we take a swim in a lake—these engage the senses in ways that rewire the nervous system,” says Donald.
Asked about a favourite spot in the forest, he points to a particular tree he calls the “mother tree,” an ancient presence along the nature trail.
“It seems to hold people gently, inviting introspection and grounding,” he says. “I’ve seen guests sit with their backs against her trunk, and something begins to soften. Breaths deepen, and sometimes, tears fall. There is a kind of energy here that doesn’t need words. Just presence.”
Chris, too, finds meaning in the trails themselves—places of quiet solitude and profound connection.
At Dimensions, nature invites guests to slow down, to breathe deeply, and to rediscover themselves in an environment that is alive, accepting, and transformative. In the embrace of the forest, true healing begins.
"In stillness, people begin to hear their own inner voice again and reconnect with parts of themselves that they have been disconnected from," Donald says. "It’s only in the absence of noise that true clarity can arise.”
Dimensions Retreats is an all-inclusive, adult-only wellness retreat nestled on 40 acres along the shores of Maple Lake in Ontario’s Haliburton Highlands. Designed to promote nervous system regulation and emotional healing, the retreat combines neuroscientific research with immersive nature-based therapies. Guests stay in modern, light-filled cabin suites featuring private decks, deep soaker tubs, window seats, and serene views of the surrounding forest or lake. All stays include chef-prepared, plant-forward meals crafted with organic, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients, catering to various dietary needs. The retreat is both dog- and cannabis-friendly, allowing guests to fully relax and connect with nature. With a focus on holistic well-being, Dimensions provides a tranquil environment where guests can engage in guided therapies, mindfulness practices, and restorative activities, fostering a profound journey of self-discovery and renewal.
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