Understanding Nature and Forest Therapy
Nature and Forest Therapy is an evidence-informed wellness practice that supports healing through intentional connection with the natural world. Informed strongly by the practice of shinrin-yoku (“forest bathing”) popular in 1980s Japan, and developed through the ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy) model, forest therapy invites you to slow down, engage your senses, and experience nature as a relationship rather than simply a place.
Instead of focusing on analyzing problems or talking through every detail, forest therapy uses guided invitations that encourage presence, curiosity, and mindful awareness of your surroundings. This process can help the nervous system settle and develop a deeper sense of safety.
Nature and Forest Therapy can be helpful for stress, burnout, anxiety, grief, life transitions, and the feeling of being disconnected from yourself, others, or the world around you. Many people leave feeling more grounded, more present, and more deeply connected to both themselves and the living world.
What is nature therapy?
Nature therapy walks can support a wide range of life experiences:
Research has shown forest therapy to have positive physical and mental health benefits:
- General wellbeing
- Cancer-related quality of life
- Cardiovascular and immune supports
- Chronic pain support
- Sleep disorder support
- Stress and burnout relief
- General mental health support for depression and anxiety
- Spirituality and increased environmental consciousness
Unlike other forms of therapy, nature therapy does not require that you have “something you want to talk about”.
What a nature therapy walk feels like:
Nature therapy walks are structured and generally take place over the span of two to four hours.
We begin with a guided grounding meditation, and then participate in two to four nature invitations (imagine these as little mindfulness projects), followed by a closing ritual. Traditionally, nature therapy walks always end by sharing tea, however, I usually opt for a personalized closing ritual inspired by the events on the walk.
During the invitations, it is normal for some to feel frustrated at first: by how slow it is, how quiet it is, or by a lack of an immediate “one with nature” feeling. However, as the invitations go on, it is normal to settle into a different rhythm and experience a subtle shift in your state of awareness.
Sessions often feel like a combination of noticing, pausing, sharing, and gently (…or intensely) allowing your system to reorganize itself.
How nature therapy works:
Nature and forest therapy walks are based on the understanding that humans are often too distracted to interact meaningfully to other living inhabitants of earth, but that when we do, we naturally feel more calm and safe.
While a stronger sense of “nature connection” is, in itself, a positive outcome, the calming effect of shinrin-yoku also enhances human natural killer (NK) cell function (which is a core part of how our immune system fucntions) in a similar way to practices like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
In addition, depending on where the walk takes place, there are also many plants which have shown to have evidence-based physical and mental health benefits to just be around. For example, natural areas often have higher levels of inhalable air monoterpenes, which have been shown to lower anxiety, or phytoncides, which support the immune system.
My approach to nature and forest therapy:
I modify nature therapy walks to be uniquely compatible with the needs of the one person (or small group) on the walk, for the real time that we have. I also understand that, in a one on one dynamic, you may require or desire more talking than if you were participating in a group.
Like in all of my therapy:
- I prioritize safety and stabilization over the status quo
- I use modified forms of nature therapy with attachment needs and complex trauma in mind
- We work at a pace your nervous system can tolerate (which can mean speeding up or slowing down)
- We integrate somatic awareness and grounding skills
- I drawing on parts work, expressive arts, and somatics
- I support your capacity to process emotions without overwhelm
What change can look like:
People often begin nature therapy feeling:
- Stressed, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted
- Disconnected from themselves, others, or the natural world
- Caught in constant thinking, worrying, or doing
- Burnt out from the pace and demands of everyday life
- Longing for rest, meaning, or a deeper sense of belonging
Over time, many people notice:
- A greater sense of calm and nervous system regulation
- Increased presence and mindfulness
- More connection to themselves and their surroundings
- Greater clarity, perspective, and emotional balance
- A renewed sense of wonder, gratitude, and belonging
- Feeling more grounded in daily life and relationships
Is nature therapy right for me?
Nature and Forest Therapy walks may be a good fit if you:
- Feel overwhelmed by the pace of modern life
- Spend a lot of time thinking, planning, or worrying
- Crave more stillness, presence, and connection
- Feel disconnected from yourself, your community, or the living world
- Want a gentle, experiential approach to healing and well-being
You don’t need to be outdoorsy, spiritual, or knowledgeable about nature to benefit from this work. You only need a willingness to slow down, pay attention, and explore what the natural world might have to offer.
If you’re unsure, that’s okay. We can explore together whether Nature and Forest Therapy feels like the right fit for you.
Getting started.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before stepping into the forest.
Whether you’re feeling stressed, disconnected, grieving, overwhelmed, or simply longing for more presence in your life, nature and forest therapy walks offer an opportunity to slow down and enter into a different, more reciprocal, relationship with yourself and the world around you.
Sometimes healing begins by pausing long enough to notice what has been waiting for your attention all along.
If you’re curious about working together, you’re welcome to reach out and learn more.
This kind of therapy does not require any diagnositcs.
I use a non-pathologizing kind of therapy model that does not require diagnostics. Of course, any diagnosis you have received, agree with, and/or suspect is important to incorporate. Still, this work is open to everyone regardless.
• How nature therapy works •
The basics of what to expect.
1. Free Consult
A 20-minute video call. We talk about who you are, what you’re looking for, and answer your questions.
2. Intake
Meet at my office for a 55-minute session to go over consent paperwork and a short walk-and-talk.
3. Immersions
Weekly or biweekly sessions meeting for two or more hours at local trailheads.
4. Reassess
We check in regularly about how your stress is changing, and modify your walks as needed.
Resources and Tools.
Whether we’re doing nature therapy together or not, you may find these resources and tools valuable.
City of Edmonton’s Community Forestry Program is offering free shinrin-yoku events through Move.Learn.Play during the summer of 2026. These spots are going fast so if you want an affordable way to try this out, definitely sign up for a walk or two.
This sliding scale LGBTQ+ event at Keheewin Park has quiet time, short meditations, gentle walks, personal rituals, and forest bathing invitations for introvert-friendly time in nature. Definitely one for the “weirdos and queerdos” of Edmonton to check out.
ANFT founder Amos Clifford demonstrates how to prepare tea gathered from plants foraged along the trail. This way of closing a walk is never mandatory, and is a rarer experience in the way that I guide, but can be a lovely way to close a walk with some nature connection.
Frequently asked questions.
I still don't get it, what is nature therapy?
Forest and Nature Therapy is a trauma-informed way of guiding nature walks. The term shinrin-yoku was coined in 1982 by Tomohide Akiyama, who was the director of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. If it’s the right fit for you, nature therapy can successfully relieve stress, calm anxiety, and support general wellbeing.
Nature therapy is a structured, slow, guided walk which takes place in a natural area. These walks last at least two hours, and are best experienced over four hours.
You can learn more about ANFT-style nature therapy walks from their official website here.
Are you a Certified Forest Therapy Guide?
Yes! I completed my guide training through ANFT in 2022.
Can nature therapy be done virtually?
Perhaps surprisingly, yes! If you are based anywhere in Alberta, you can do virtual nature therapy calls with me. However, you must be outside or otherwise in nature (like a conservatory) and have a reliable internet connection.
During the nature invitations, you will walk away from your laptop or phone to immerse yourself in your environment, and then come back for sharing with me on the call.
What is parts work?
I use IFS-informed parts work. IFS stands for Internal Family Systems. It is a mindfulness-based therapy originally developed for behavioral concerns like self harm and eating disorders, which has since expanded to support people living with all kinds of self-protective behaviours and internal conflicts. If it’s the right fit for you, IFS can successfully calm your nervous system, build self compassion, and help you connect to your true self.
IFS is a practice that can be incorporated into other therapy models, or done as a whole session on its own. Like other practices (imagine: yoga, writing, exercise), IFS gets easier the more you do it, and benefits from consistent attention. This is why I like to use IFS as a stand-alone therapy module, as well as a ritual for beginning or ending sessions, and for reassessing treatment goals.
What is somatics?
Somatic therapy is a generic term for any therapy that prioritizes the body: how it feels, moves, and responds to emotions. If it’s the right fit for you, somatic therapy can support you with chronic pain and chronic pain, as well as anxiety, depression, CPTSD, or trauma.
Somatic therapy is a practice that can be incorporated into other therapy models, and honestly makes most therapy work better. That’s why I always bring in somatic resourcing tools to the treatment plan as early as possible.
You can learn more about somatics here.
How do you integrate expressive arts?
Expressive arts and nature therapy blend really well. Often, my invitations will incorporate nature artmaking or creativity. These are amazing for loosening up and freeing the mind and body, and they are also joyful, connective, and fun to experience. If your nature walks tend to lean intellectual or solemn week after week, expect an expressive arts invitation to show up!
How do you integrate personal spirituality?
Spirituality is intensely personal, and always something that is client-led in my therapy sessions. Many trauma survivors, especially those who have experienced religious trauma or cult abuse, have a lot of protection up around the idea of spirituality in general, and that makes so much sense! Spirituality is never mandatory, and atheists are extremely welcome in my practice.
At the same time, many trauma survivors experience a lot of relief and transformation connecting to something “bigger” or something that can bring meaning to the pain that they have been through, and spiritual or cultural practices are one way this can be done.
Many of my clients identify as pagan, witches, astrologers, tarot readers, or mystics as part of their path toward reclaiming spiritual agency after a lifetime of abuse or neglect. Others connect to their cultural roots, folklore, ancestors, or spirits of the land. Still others dive deep into a large religious tradition like Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or Hinduism, whether or not it was the tradition they were raised in. I am trained in ways to utilize your personal spiritual beliefs as a powerful resource in your trauma healing, as well as support you in using them in session to make therapy more effective.
Feel free to ask me how we can adapt this practice to your needs.
How do I know if I'm dissociating?
Dissociation our brain learns how to do in response to overwhelming stress, trauma, or emotional overload. Your mind creates distance from an experience that feels too intense, threatening, or difficult to process in the moment. Sometimes, though, people notice that the dissociation starts to happen more frequently, even when life feels safe, being triggered by things you might not classify as “objectively overwhelming”. It can be frustrating when dissociation shows up during activities like nature therapy which are “supposed to be” calming!
It looks different from person to person, but it’s generally characterized by your brain involuntarily creating distance from your emotions, body, memories, surroundings, or sense of self. This can look like numbing out, losing track of time, or finding it difficult to remember parts of your day. In more extreme cases, it can feel like you’re watching yourself from outside your body or experiencing the world as foggy, dreamlike, distant, or unreal for long periods of time.
Often, it can show up in relationships: struggling to stay present when discussing difficult topics, or even spacing out during what could be positive interactions like feeling close to another person (or nature)!
If you think you dissociate, definitely let me know, because it will probably happen during therapy too. We can put a plan together to go slow and keep you grounded through whatever comes up.
Do I have to talk about my trauma in therapy?
No! You do not need to share every detail of what happened to benefit from therapy.
In nature therapy walks, sometimes the whole session goes by without us saying a single word!
It makes sense to worry that trauma therapy might mean retelling painful experiences over and over again. While I want to understand you and your history, I don’t want you to have to relive anything, or go into that intellectualizing mode where you “recap” the story in the same way you always do.
You are never expected to share more than feels safe. Also, you can tell me anything, and it won’t be too much for me.
What if I am in crisis right now?
If you are having thoughts of suicide or a huge emotional reaction that you are not sure how to respond to, call one of the numbers below. You can also call if you have a loved one who you think needs help, but aren’t sure what to do. Here are some options:
- Brite Line 1-844-702-7483. Edmonton’s LGBTQ+ mental health and wellness helpline, available 24/7. Answered by trained LGBTQ+ volunteers and allies. If a staff member is not available to answer, your call will be directed to the Edmonton Distress Line, 211 or 988 dependent on your needs.
- Distress Line: 780-482-4357. Trained volunteers respond to individuals needing emotional support, information, and/or referrals. Uses call tracing and will call 911 and/or police if caller is at high risk to imminently harm self or others.
- Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence: 1-866-403-8000. Talk, text, and chat service that provides emotional support, information, and referral to anyone who has experienced or been impacted by sexual violence. Uses call tracing and will call 911 and/or police if caller is at high risk to imminently harm self or others. Available 9am-9pm.
- Access 24/7: 780-424-2424. Run by Alberta Health Services, available 24/7. A central hub for urgent services and centralized intake for all AHS-funded mental health services. Available to concerned friends and family. Interactions with Access 24-7 appear on your health record. Collaborates with police if there is concern that a person requires hospitalization due to high, imminent risk to self or others.
Begin when you are ready.
A free 20-minute consultation is a chance to ask questions and see if we’re a fit. No pressure and no commitment.