About Me
Emily Risinger MS, ATR, MH, LPCC is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapist whose work is rooted in the belief that reconnecting with Nature and embracing creative expression are powerful catalysts for personal transformation and healing. Moving beyond traditional clinical settings, her approach intertwines Exposure Therapy and Nature-Guided experiences immersion in the outdoors. She offers a unique space for individuals to rekindle or forge anew their relationship with the natural world—the world they inherently belong to.
Together with her clients, she weaves their core values back into the fabric of their lives, aligning their inner being with their outward self. Clients learn to confront fears and avoidances with supported confidence, fostering joy by holding space for concerns while deeply engaging with Nature. Using sensory engagement, they explore human complexity, create space for compassion, and help individuals rediscover their innate strength and resilience. This journey is about transforming uncertainty into clarity, leading them toward a life resonant with their true self, values, and passions.
Emily believes the Land itself is a powerful healer, with Nature as our partner. Through methods like Nature-Guided Therapy, Forest Bathing and art making, she facilitates deep, experiential connections. These sessions are more than talk; they are about immersing oneself in the natural environment to open a door to gentle yet integral healing.
-Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor #01946
-Registered Art Therapist #14-198
-Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Certified
-HeartMath Certified
-Master’s of Herbalism- Green Wisdom School of Herbal and Botanical Medicine
-Board Approved Clinical Supervisor
Braving Uncertainty- A coloring book
Check out my coloring book! This coloring book features aspects of creativity and Exposure Therapy-a unique type of therapy that aims to help folks manage and understand their distress or discomfort. Each coloring sheet depicts a variation of fear in the artwork and is accompanied by a description of symptoms experienced. There are many variations of OCD and Anxiety—this coloring book only scratches the surface!—so if you do not experience OCD or a related Anxiety Disorder, I hope you become curious about Exposure Therapy and learn more about these disorders. If you do experience OCD or Anxiety, I hope this book causes you some discomfort in true exposure form!
Land Acknowledgement
Still Wild Healing does not have one location. Sessions are held at various parks around the Twin Cities. But I live and tend land located on the ancestral lands of the Dakota people. Humbly, I offer respect and honor to the Dakota people, the Plants, and the Land themselves. All foraging and gardening are done respectfully and with immense gratitude. Pilamayaye.
I am still learning and working through being a “land owner” on Indigenous stolen Land. Here is a brief, historical, snapshot of the vibrant living history of Kaposia Village:
The primary indigenous group that lived in the area of what is now South St. Paul-Kaposia Village was the Mdewakanton Dakota, specifically the Kaposia band.
Kaposia, also known as "Little Crow's village," was a significant seasonal village for the Mdewakanton Dakota. It was established around 1750 and led by a succession of chiefs all known as Little Crow.
While the location of Kaposia Village shifted over time due to factors like flooding and treaties, it was consistently situated along the Mississippi River, moving from the east bank in what is now St. Paul to the west bank in present-day South St. Paul after the Treaty of 1837. The Dakota people were eventually forced to move to reservations on the Minnesota River following the Treaty of Mendota in 1851.
Today, the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community continues to live in the region and celebrates its connection to the historic Kaposia Village and its leaders.
Do you have additional information about Kaposia Village? I would love to hear more. Please email me at emily@emilyrisinger.com to share your own stories or research.
National Park Service. (n.d.). Kaposia Indian Site. Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Retrieved July 24, 2025, from [https://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/kapoindi.htm](https://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/kapoindi.htm)
Saint Paul Historical. (n.d.). Chief Little Crow's Village (Kaposia). Retrieved July 24, 2025, from https://saintpaulhistorical.com/items/show/115
Plains Art Museum. (n.d.). Kaposia. Retrieved July 24, 2025, from https://plainshistory.org/tours/show/6
Contact
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