Cultivating Calm for Big Emotions

If your inner world feels like an overgrown jungle, this 4-week group will help you prune your panic, pull emotional weeds, and plant seeds of calm—all through DBT-inspired garden activities.

About Our Group

Big emotions got you tangled up?
You’re not alone. The Anxious Gardeners is a playful yet transformative 4-week psychoeducational workshop designed for overthinkers, big feelers, and anyone looking to manage life’s emotional chaos.

Through hands-on gardening activities and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) concepts, you’ll learn to:

  • Pull the weeds of negative self-talk.
  • Prune your emotional overgrowth to make space for calm.
  • Plant seeds of resilience, mindfulness, and hope.

What to Expect

🌿 3/8/25: Welcome to the Jungle

  • Master mindfulness techniques by observing and describing plants.
  • Learn DBT’s “What” and “How” skills to ground yourself in the present moment.

🌱 3/22/25: Pulling Emotional Weeds

  • Identify and challenge negative thought patterns.
  • Learn the DBT skills Radical Acceptance, Opposite Action, and Self-Soothe.

🌼 4/5/25: Pruning for Growth

  • Learn how to let go of what no longer serves you—emotionally and mentally.
  • Practice self-compassion while propagating new growth.
  • Learn the DBT skills Accumulating Positives and Building Mastery, as well as self-compassion techniques.

🌸 4/19/25: Harvesting Hope

  • Reflect on your journey and set intentions for continued emotional balance.
  • Plant seeds or small plants as a physical reminder of your growth.
  • Learn DBT skills: Cope Ahead, Building Relationships, and Mindfulness of Current Thoughts & Emotions.

Why You’ll Love This Group

 

  • Facilitated by an experienced DBT therapist with a green thumb.
  • Engaging, hands-on activities that make emotional regulation tangible and creative.
  • A supportive, judgment-free community of like-minded participants.
  • Perfect for DBT beginners or anyone looking for a unique approach to managing anxiety and big emotions.
  • Flexible commitment—register for one session or join the full series.

 

Welcome to the Jungle

Practice mindful observation by focusing on the sensory details of plants. Discover how to ground yourself when emotions feel overwhelming.

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Pulling Emotional Weeds

Identify emotional “weeds” such as self-doubt or worry and symbolically remove them during a hands-on gardening activity. Explore how acceptance and intentional action can create space for positive emotions to grow.

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Pruning for Growth

Gain insight into why letting go of old patterns can be challenging, and learn how to release them with kindness and self-compassion.

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Harvesting the Hope

Discover how to cultivate hope, embrace self-compassion, and develop a plan for lasting emotional balance. Lasting change is possible!

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Basic Info

 
  • Registration: Each session is purchased separately.
  • Cost: $50 per session (per person).
  • Insurance: We do not accept insurance.
  • Location: In-person sessions held in Springfield, MO.
  • Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM CST.
  • Dates: March 8, March 22, April 5, and April 19, 2025.

Meet Your Group Facilitator

Hi, I’m Kristen—a licensed clinical therapist, passionate horticultural enthusiast, and firm believer in the healing power of nature. As the creator and facilitator of The Anxious Gardeners Group, I’ve combined my love for gardening with my expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to offer a unique and transformative experience for those looking to manage their big emotions.

For years, I’ve helped individuals navigate life’s emotional challenges by teaching practical skills to cultivate resilience, balance, and self-compassion. Along the way, I’ve discovered that emotions, much like gardens, require care, attention, and—every now and then—a little pruning.

This group reflects my vision of making emotional wellness accessible and creative, blending hands-on gardening activities with DBT concepts such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation. Whether you’re new to DBT or simply looking for a fresh approach to emotional growth, The Anxious Gardeners is designed to help you dig into your feelings, plant seeds of calm, and grow into the best version of yourself.

When I’m not in the therapy room or facilitating groups, you’ll likely find me outside with my hands in the dirt, tending to my own little garden sanctuary.

Let’s nurture your emotional garden together— I can’t wait to see what we grow!

Kristen Shuler, LCSW

Kristen Shuler received a Master of Social Work degree at Washburn University and has been practicing in the field for the past 19 years. She holds an LCSW in Missouri.

Kristen is the owner and Lead Therapist at DBT Ozarks. She enjoys working with teens and adults who experience big emotions.

DBT Ozarks is a division of Social Work SC, LLC