Cat Pantaleo MA is a Certified Clinical Herbalist, Educator, Ecopsychologist and Forest Therapy Guide with 25 years of experience as an Integrative Health Practitioner and Wellness Educator. She has joyfully served as faculty in several vocational schools in the Boulder/Denver area and continues to offer holistic health consultations, field and classroom education, and nature-based experiences at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism, the Denver Botanic Gardens, and through local herbal apothecaries.
Drawing from her extensive background as a practitioner, educator, amateur naturalist, and field botanist, Cat has come to understand that true health and vitality arise from an integrated approach—one that includes compassionate self-awareness, meaningful connection with others, mindful time in nature, optimal nutrition, strong community ties, and the wisdom of our beloved kin, the plants, trees and nature beings.
In both her practice and teaching, she skillfully weaves these elements to empower individuals and communities to cultivate vibrant wellness and inner beauty. Guided by her values, passion, and deep reverence for and connection to the natural world, Cat's current work focuses on fostering resilience, restoration, deep nourishment, and a sense of belonging and inner peace—while helping bridge the divide between the human and more-than-human world.
To read a brief interview of my story and world view, which informs my approach to health, wellness and life, Click HERE
Approach to Health
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul.”
I believe that true health extends beyond the absence of disease—it is a dynamic process of living with purpose, positivity, and intention. My approach to optimal health and wellness is grounded in openness, compassion, and curiosity, recognizing that personal growth, continuous learning, and self-discovery are integral to the healing journey.
Rooted in the principles of Holism and Vitalism, I view each person as a whole, interconnected being—capable of restoring balance and cultivating emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. I support this journey toward vibrant health through a thoughtfully integrated approach, incorporating education, nutrient-rich nutrition, botanical medicine, mindfulness practices, and meaningful connection to self, others, and the natural world.
With consistent intention and care, this path fosters a deep sense of rhythm between the individual and their environment, leading to a lasting sense of harmony, belonging, and a truly sustainable, healthful way of life.
“With Cat as a guide, I was able to really connect deeply with myself.”
“Cat gives you the gift of slowing down to the pace of the natural world so that we may attune ourselves to the quiet voices of the land”.
Areas of Expertise
Pasque Flower, Anemone pulsatilla
Approach to Health and Healing
Whole-Person Wellness
True health is more than the absence of disease—it’s a dynamic, purposeful way of living. With a foundation in Holism and Vitalism, I guide individuals in restoring balance and fostering emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. My approach is rooted in compassion, curiosity, and a belief in each person’s innate capacity to heal.
Core Focus Areas
Anxiety
Anxiety has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting an estimated 40 million adults—nearly 20% of the adult population. Cat supports individuals navigating both acute and chronic stress and anxiety by integrating a variety of holistic modalities. Through the development of accessible, effective strategies to reduce stress and enhance resilience, her clients often experience a noticeable shift toward a more peaceful, grounded way of being.
Resilience
Resilience is the ability to recover from adversity and withstand life’s stressors without diminishing well-being. Cat helps individuals cultivate this vital capacity through a combination of education, nutritional optimization, traditional botanical therapies, and simple mindfulness practices—often set in nature. As resilience grows, so too does vitality, allowing individuals to meet life’s challenges with clarity, steadiness, and strength.
Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural, protective response to injury or irritation that supports healing. However, today’s lifestyles, environmental stressors, and dietary habits often push the body beyond its capacity to regulate this response, leading to chronic inflammation and ill health. Scientific research confirms that inflammation is a core contributor to nearly every disease process, both acute and chronic. Cat focuses on reducing inflammation through targeted nutrition, botanicals, and therapeutic lifestyle practices, restoring balance and promoting long-term wellness.
Nature Connection
The healing power of nature is well-documented—for both human and planetary health. Cat finds deep joy and meaning in guiding nature-immersion experiences for adults, youth, and families. She brings to these experiences a spirit of reverence and play, inviting participants to reconnect with the wonder, wisdom, and restorative presence of the natural world.
Field Botany
Plant identification is a timeless, empowering practice—an invitation to deepen one’s relationship with the land and learn from the healing intelligence of nature. With a rich background in botany and a deep love for the plant world, Cat teaches people how to identify and understand medicinal and edible plants in a way that is both scientifically grounded and spiritually intuitive. Blending taxonomy and plant family insights with ancient ways of knowing, she helps others awaken to the inner wisdom that arises from connecting to place and plant.
Vision
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
My life is in service to promoting a world in which people are less anxious, more relaxed, caring and alive. A world in which humans are connected to their innate gifts and compassionate nature, remembering that all life is sacred and that everyone has something of value to offer. When people are healthy, vibrant, and connected to their purpose, it paves the way to restoring respectful and reciprocal relationships with all beings that are vital for a truly sustainable future and healthy planet.