Meet your guide…
Douglas Jones
COME BACK TO YOUR TREES The Welsh people have a saying: “dod yn ôl at fy nghoed.” Translated it means, “to return to a balanced state of mind.” Lovely! The literal translation of the Welsh is, “to return to my trees.” Earthy! I'd like to invite you “to come back to your trees” by joining me on a Forest Bathing walk.
Forest Bathing/Forest Therapy offers the opportunity for a guided sensory immersion in nature. On this walk, you’ll be invited to slow down and focus on your sensory connection with the beings in nature — the sights, sounds, textures, smells, and even tastes of the land, the trees, the water, the rocks, etc. This is not a fitness walk or a naturalist walk. Walks are typically less than half a mile, and may take two to two-and-a-half hours.
This slow, sensory immersion in nature will allow you to access the physical, psychological, and personal restoration available when spending time in nature. Doesn't it sound relaxing already? Among the many benefits of Forest Bathing are boosted immune function, reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, improved concentration and creativity, increased relaxation, and soothing experiences of awe. Many Forest Bathers have reported that their walks enhanced and deepened their relationships with others and with the more-than-human world.
I've practiced as a psychologist for over thirty years in the Greater Pittsburgh area, both in private practice and as a consultant to several independent, public and charter schools. I am a Certified Forest Therapy Guide, having received my training from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs. Coupled with my lifetime of wild tending and vacationing in the woods and lakes of northwestern Michigan, my background as a psychotherapist, prepares me well to accompany and support others on Forest Therapy walks.
Pittsburgh’s city parks, and parks in surrounding communities offer wonderful venues for Forest Bathing walks. A recent participant had this to say about her Forest Therapy walk with me: “The walk was very carefully designed and expertly guided, which resulted in all of us experiencing something extremely personal and beneficial. I especially enjoyed how we were given guidance and direction - but also invited to explore and discover on our own.”
Feel free to "come back to your trees" and “to return to a balanced state of mind!” Use this app to join a walk, or use the contact link to inquire about scheduling a custom walk for your family, friends, colleagues or staff. I am regularly guiding walks at the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens, Frick Park, and Walker Park. I look forward to partnering with you and nature on a Forest Bathing walk in the Pittsburgh area soon!
And, in the summer of 2023, I will also be guiding walks in the Good Harbor Bay/LIttle Traverse Lake area of Leelanau County!
Thank you for visiting my profile. I'm happy to have guided over 50 walks since March, 2021! As the weather turns colder and more unpredictable, I'll be taking a break from advance scheduling of walks. If you'd like to schedule a walk for yourself or with others, just click the link requesting a private walk. I'll get back to you to set something up.
However, it is difficult to hold back from Forest Bathing. As favorable weather patterns arise over the next few months, I may post pop-up walks. Please contact me, if you would like to be notified of walks that may pop-up during the Winter months. Also, please contact me any time by clicking the link on the right to "Request a Private Walk," and we can plan a custom walk for you and your group.
I'll be using the Winter months to scout new trails and partnerships for Spring, Summer and Fall of 2023. In the meantime, go outdoors, open your senses, and wander in our beautiful Winter parks and forests. Be sure to check back in February and March for my schedule of Spring and Summer guided walks at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden and with the Women's Adventure Club - Pittsburgh.
