What Is Nature Therapy?

You’ve probably heard of nature therapy or forest bathing...but what are they, really? Are they the same thing? How are they different? And more importantly, how can they actually support you in the middle of a busy, modern life? The answers might surprise you.

As a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide (ANFT) with experience in both research science and healthcare, I facilitate outdoor experiences that help people reconnect with themselves, each other, and the other inhabitants of the natural world. My approach blends evidence-based practice with deep presence and relational care. While guiding individuals or corporate teams, my focus is on creating a space that feels safe, grounded, and truly restorative. Especially in today’s high-stress environments, even a short walk outdoors, done with guided intention, can shift not just our nervous systems, but the way we relate.

So how do nature therapy and forest bathing differ? Nature therapy is a guided form of immersive wellness inspired by Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing), but with a broader relational focus. While forest bathing centers on sensory immersion in a forest environment (and by the way has become a vital part of preventative healthcare in Japan!), nature therapy expands that experience to include the relationship between the participant, the guide, and the other 'beings' in the natural world. That means forming a felt connection with trees, plants, birds, rocks, wind, waterways, insects, and the unseen forces of the land itself. It’s not about what you notice, but also who you’re in relationship with. Nature becomes not a backdrop, but a co-participant in the restorative process.

"When we begin to see nature not as a resource, but as a relationship, when we become friends with a tree, a stream, a patch of moss, we tend to care for it. We tend to listen. And that quiet shift in perspective? That’s where healing begins. For us. For each other. For the Earth." - Dr. Rashel 'TrekHer' Wilson on the importance of Relational Practice

My signature practice is more than extracting human health outcomes from nature. At it's core, it's about reciprocity - nurturing the relationship we have with the forest and it's inhabitants.

Why Nature Therapy Works (For Everyone, And Every Team)

There’s something powerful that happens when we step into nature intentionally. The science backs it, of course reduced cortisol, improved mood, better sleep...but the lived experience is what matters most.

For individuals, nature therapy can:

• Lower stress and anxiety

• Support emotional healing

• Spark creativity and reflection

• Promote physical and mental well-being

For teams, it goes even deeper. A well-held session outdoors offers:

• Psychological safety, where people feel free to be real without judgment

• Team trust, built not through performance but presence

• Connection beyond roles, where hierarchy softens and shared humanity comes forward

• Space for emotional regulation, essential in high-pressure environments

From parents seeking grounding to leaders trying to reconnect with their colleagues, the essence is the same: nature facilitates what is needed in the moment. My role as a guide is to help open the door and hold the space for the participants.

What Is Forest Bathing?

Interestingly, forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku, is a medical practice that began in Japan as a public health intervention in the 1980's. In response to rising rates of stress-related illness, burnout, and overwork, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries encouraged citizens to spend time in forests as a way to support mental and physical health. Decades of research followed, showing that unhurried time in nature could lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels, boost immune function, and even increase cancer-fighting cells (see my previous blog post on, What the Science Really Says about Stress, Mood and Mental Health) .

It doesn’t require equipment, fitness, or prior knowledge. The practice is to walk slowly, pause often, and engaging all five senses to take in the atmosphere of the forest. There’s no agenda. No need to talk. No rush. Just being.

You might find yourself:

• Listening to the breeze ripple through the trees

• Feeling the rough texture of bark beneath your fingers

• Smelling the warm scent of pine after a rain

• Breathing a little more deeply than you have in weeks

This kind of presence is relaxing and deeply regulating for the nervous system. And for teams, especially those working under pressure or navigating transition, it creates a shared container of calm that’s hard to find in a boardroom.

My Relational Approach

While we’ll absolutely receive the evidence-based benefits of forest bathing (reduced stress, improved mood, nervous system regulation) that’s just the beginning. The way I guide goes deeper and carries a larger mission: to inspire a culture that values renewal, reflection, and the wisdom of the natural world.

It doesn't matter if I'm guiding a single person or a team of twenty, I provide opportunity to introduce ourselves to the land before we trespass upon it. My approach is grounded in hospitality, curiosity, and relational presence. In corporate settings, that often means helping teams shift out of doing and into being, together. I support this with gentle invitations, moments of reflection, and non-performative spaces that foster true belonging and trust.

I create a space where people feel safe to express their connection to nature, and to each other.

Common Questions I Get

How long is a session? Most run between 1 and 3 hours, depending on your goals and group needs.

Is this only for individuals? Not at all. I work with individuals, families, small groups, and corporate teams. Each experience is customized.

Do I need to be in shape? Nope. Nature therapy is accessible and low-impact. We walk slowly, and terrain can be adapted.

What should I bring? Comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, and an open mind. A water bottle and journal can also be great companions.

Is there science behind this? Yes and plenty of it. Nature therapy is associated with lowered blood pressure, improved mood, enhanced immune function, and reduced burnout.

What Makes an Experience with TrekHer Wilson Unique?

There’s no one-size-fits-all here. When you join a session with me, you’ll experience something crafted just for you or your group.

Here’s what I bring to each session:

• Scientific grounding with intuitive guidance. With a PhD in Marine Biology and Forest Therapy certification, I honor both the physiological benefits of nature and the emotional, imaginative shifts it can spark.

• A personal touch. I tailor each experience to your intentions. No two sessions are the same because no two people or teams are the same. I listen deeply to what’s needed and adapt with care.

• Mind-body tools. I weave in mindfulness practices, somatic awareness, gentle movement, breathwork, and guided reflection.

• Relational presence. I guide from a place of attunement and supporting you to slow down enough to feel truly with the forest, not just in it.

• A sense of community. I cultivate a safe, welcoming container where each person can participate as much or as little as they choose.

• Respect for land and lineage. We begin by greeting the land, not assuming we have a right to be there. This is an act of respect and relationship.

My lived experience deeply informs how I guide with care, professionalism, and a calm, steady presence. Nature therapy is where I bring all of that together: science, story, and connection.

What’s Coming Next

In an upcoming post, I’ll share more about the roots of Shinrin-yoku and how different cultures like Japan, Korea, Scandinavia, and beyond have embraced the healing power of nature in public health, education, and even corporate life. You’ll also learn how modern guides like me are adapting these practices to meet the real-world needs of people today, whether they’re working parents, trauma survivors, or global teams in search of connection.

In the quest for better mental and physical health, forest bathing stands out as an accessible and effective remedy. By embracing this practice, you can tap into the numerous benefits it has to offer.

Final Thoughts

If you are seeking relaxation, looking to support your immune system, or wanting to improve your mental clarity, forest bathing could be the answer. By dedicating time to connect with the natural world, you’ll soon discover the powerful forest bathing benefits that await. And if you're leading a team, it can be a powerful tool for renewing trust, fostering psychological safety, and reconnecting with what matters, together.

Consider taking the leap; step into nature, breathe in the fresh air, and allow yourself to heal. Your mind and body will thank you. I'm here to guide the way.