What is nature therapy?
Nature therapy is a practice that supports the wellbeing of both people and the planet. It is designed to help people experience the health benefits of spending time in nature while exploring their relationship with their self, other people and the rest of the natural world.
Nature therapy, as offered by Wellspring Nature Therapy, is based on the practice developed by Amos Clifford and others at the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs. It was inspired by several wellness traditions, including the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku or forest bathing, and incorporates recent medical research and developments in the field of nature connection.
The motto of the nature therapy guide is: “The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the doors.”
The guide’s role is to support participants to explore and engage with nature in whatever way feels right for them. Everything is optional. The outcomes or “therapy” come from the relationship between the participant and nature. The guide trusts that nature will offer whatever it is that a participant needs on a particular day.
Learn more about what to expect on a walk.
What are the benefits?
Many of us instinctively know that time in nature is good for us. A growing body of research suggests that spending time in nature can deliver a range of health benefits. These include boosting immunity, reducing stress hormone and blood pressure levels, and improving mood and cognition.
A guided nature therapy walk helps participants to tap into these health benefits. It also offers space for self-reflection and can lead to new insights, perspective and understanding.
Participants also have opportunities to explore other skills and abilities, such as:
- authentic sharing and listening
- focused attention and detailed observation
- creativity and intuition
- self-awareness and empathy.
A selection of recent studies about the benefits can be found here and here.
