Meet your guide…

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.” The literal translation of the Welsh is, “to return to my trees.” I'd like to invite you “to come back to your trees” by joining me on a Forest Bathing walk. 

Forest Bathing/Forest Therapy walks offer guided sensory immersion in nature. On these walks, you are 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. These are not fitness walks or a naturalist walks. Walks are typically less than half a mile, and take two to two-and-a-half hours. 

The slow, sensory immersion in nature will allow you to access the physical, psychological, and personal restoration available when spending time in nature. 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 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 in 2020. 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. I have guided over 130 Forest Bathing 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 website 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, and for the Women's Adventure Club of Western PA I have  guided walks for the VA and the Children’s Hospital staff wellness programs, as well as for Juniper Village and Providence Point Senior Communities,

I look forward to partnering with you and nature on a Forest Bathing walk in the Pittsburgh area soon.