As a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, I lead small group walks within forests and natural areas to help participants slow down and immerse their senses in the experience of nature. Being guided on a Nature and Forest Therapy Walk offers many opportunities to destress, relax, and become connected to the present moment through our senses.
Forest Therapy is a practice that supports wellness and wholeness through guided immersion in forests and nature. It is inspired from Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of “Forest Bathing”. In Forest Therapy, people are guided through a sequence of invitations so that they may slow down, open their senses, and experience the environment. This allows for the opportunity to deepen the reciprocal relationship between participants and the forest. Forest Therapy Walks are not undertaken with the primary goal of physical exercise, nor are they meant to be educational about flora and fauna. These slow walks in the forest are typically under 2 miles and are suitable for most fitness levels. As Amos Clifford, the founder of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, puts it, “It’s more about being here than it is about getting there”. My role as a guide is to assist participants with slowing down, calling attention to their experiences, senses, and their environment.
Nature and Forest Therapy Walks are typically conducted in Will, Cook, and DuPage counties of Illinois.
For group experiences or alternative locations for Nature and Forest Walks, please use the Empathy Connects Contact Form for more information.
You can also schedule a Nature and Forest Therapy Walk though our registration page.
NOTE: Please digitally submit health questionnaire and waiver 24 hours prior to walk or provide a printed and signed copy in person.
Weather & Cancellation Policy:
Empathy Connects reserves the right to cancel a walk due to inclement weather or any conditions that may compromise safety or the quality of the experience. In the event Empathy Connects cancels a Nature and Forest Therapy Walk, participants will be notified as soon as possible and provided with a refund. Please dress appropriately for the weather and check email for updates before the event.
Association of Nature and Forest Therapy
What is the background philosophy of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT)? The Association, founded in 2012 by Amos Clifford combines elements of Shinrin-yoku with Cliffford’s four decades of experience in wilderness guiding, Zen meditation, psychotherapy, educational consulting, and nature connection. Together with a team of collaborators from different backgrounds, Clifford continues to evolve ANFT’s approach to forest therapy.
