Roles and impacts of the forest therapy guide: recommendations from practice

Nachin, Laurence; Rasson, Sophie; Coriat, Emmett Phil; Kotera, Yasuhiro

Abstract

Over the last decade many studies have reported on the health benefits of practices derived from Japanese shinrin-yoku grouped under the term “forest therapy”. However, very few mentioned the roles and potential impacts of the guide on participants experience during a forest therapy session. Based on professional experience, this opinion piece aims to clarify the practice of guided forest therapy and highlight the guide’s contribution. By creating a space of trust and safety to facilitate sensory connection to nature and sharing of experience, guides play an essential role in the participants’ experience. They promote embodiment, nature connectedness, and social connectedness that we believe are key factors enhancing the health benefits of the experience.

Citation

Nachin, L., Rasson, S., Coriat, E. P., & Kotera, Y. (2022). Roles and impacts of the forest therapy guide: recommendations from practice. International Journal of Spa and Wellness, 5(3), 298-307. https://doi.org/10.1080/24721735.2022.2145418

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 27, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Nov 14, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: Nov 23, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: May 15, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Spa and Wellness
• Print ISSN: 2472-1735
• Electronic ISSN: 2472-1743
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 298-307
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/24721735.2022.2145418
• Keywords: General Medicine
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/13755356
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24721735.2022.2145418