Monika Uklejewska, Psychologist, FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner, trainer and much more- Her journey has been deeply shaped by nature—particularly for children on the autism spectrum. What began as a personal reconnection with nature has now blossomed into a professional calling that integrates her expertise in therapy with nature: she is taking her work a step further, leading initiatives with National Parks in Poland to deepen awareness of nature’s benefits for both health and the environment.
A Life Interwoven with Nature
“Nature and the forest were not places I visited; they were spaces where I lived, an extension of my home. I spent most of my free time there playing with friends, taking walks through the woods, or seeking solace when I felt misunderstood. Nature has been my home from the beginning of my life, an integral part of it.
“There came a moment in my adult life when I no longer felt ‘at home.’ The existing systems no longer fit. Arrangements, relationships, dependencies, my roles. I felt that it wasn’t entirely mine. Unconsciously, as if on autopilot, I began to gravitate more and more towards nature.
“I felt and remembered my forgotten, deep relationship with nature. I would compare it to a chance encounter with a long-lost friend. A friend who knows, accepts, and embraces me, with whom I can cry and laugh, with whom I feel safe. Returning to nature was like returning to the comforting and loving arms of a mother. Arms where I felt safe and well.
“As I nurtured this renewed connection, the FTHub training allowed me to meet others who also ‘spoke the language’ of the forest. It felt like finding a tribe—a community of shared understanding and vision.”
Nature and Autism
“Initially, I wasn’t connected with nature in my profession. My professional path changed when my then nearly 3-year-old son was diagnosed with autism. Initially, it was a challenging time, but the fight for his future quickly became a passion. His rapid progress through therapeutic interventions fascinated me. I was inspired to study Psychology and later specialize in working with children on the autism spectrum using the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM).
“It was after completing training at Forest Therapy Hub that I realized I could combine my therapeutic skills with the FTHub Method. Sensory-sensitive children thrive in the calming environment of nature. Unlike indoor settings filled with artificial stimuli—lights, materials, sounds—the forest provides natural relief and comfort.
“When I applied my knowledge of child development and therapy in nature, it was clear that this approach was ideal for children on the autism spectrum. Nature became an ally, offering an environment that fostered safety, appropriate arousal, and therapeutic breakthroughs. My plan is to develop this path further, blending the therapeutic potential of nature with the FTHub method.”
Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy in National Parks in Poland
“I’ve started collaborating with National Parks in Poland. Here, I promote knowledge about the connection with nature, the benefits of this connection for health, and the well-being of nature itself. On this occasion, I was invited to the Magura National Park, the Ojców National Park, and soon I will be giving a lecture at the Świętokrzyski National Park.
“Additionally, I recently visited Japan and will be returning there in April. I really wanted to get to know the homeland of shinrin-yoku and experience its nature and way of life.
“I’ve introduced working with clay in nature into my professional practice. Clay is an excellent material that connects and integrates our body with the structures of nature. I am happy to share practical applications and tips with our students at FTHub.”
The Child Who Released Emotions in Nature
“Every time I work with people in nature, incredible things, situations, and discoveries occur. Participants, feeling safe and accepted, can remove the heavy armor they wear in everyday life and open up to the experience of nature and themselves.
“I particularly remember one experience with a group of kindergarten children. Among them was a boy in a difficult family situation. He tightly kept all his emotions inside, disconnected from both pain and joy. During our time in the forest, something in him broke free. He cried, releasing long-held feelings in the safe, accepting space we created together.
“When we returned, it was as if he had just come back from an exhausting journey. Even his posture changed. The tension had lifted, and he could finally rest—and simply be a child again.”
Ph: Courtesy Monika Uklejewska
