The Role and Value of The Forest Therapy Practitioner

By Shona Macpherson

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Although forest bathing is gaining in popularity in the UK, to some it may still be a confusing term – for example some take it to mean having a literal bath in a forest. Or others see it as a glorified term for a walk: 

“Mention it in cynical company and someone will make a hocking sound, saying something like: “Forest bathing, fnuh – don’t you mean a walk in the woods?””

The role of Forest Bathing / Forest Therapy Guide or Practitioner may be similarly misunderstood. When I first became interested in Forest Bathing, I envisioned the role of the Guide to be incredibly simple. In this essay I look at the role and value of a forest therapy practitioner, paying attention to the skills, experience, and values necessary to enhance the quality of the experience for all concerned. I look at the difference having a guide may make compared to self-led forest bathing. I learn that although Guiding is, in some ways, ‘simple’ it is by no means easy, nor something to be undertaken without training, reflection and skill. 

The Role of the Forest Bathing Practitioner

In summary the role of the forest therapy practitioner is to guide groups or individuals through a process of immersing themselves in nature. 

The role of the Guide’s key roles and impact is summarised in the table below. (I’ve added the use of the word “skill” in the heading by Tools. And I’ve added the comments marked by an ‘*’).  I’ve unpacked these headings below and have used quotes from an evaluation of a forest bathing session I recently ran to show how participants valued these aspects of the Guide role.

Role of creating a safe space

A feeling of safety is a prerequisite for a forest bathing session to enable some form of recovery or restoration in the participant (Staats and Hartig 2004). And a large part of the role of the Guide is to create this safe container. It is within this container that participants can connect in the present with the natural environment. 

Creating this safety involves selecting appropriate locations, carrying out risk assessment, planning invitations and facilitating the process in a thoughtful, inclusive, and sensitive manner.  As part of the process of creating an appropriate route to follow they will consider the profile of the participants. 

They welcome and pay attention to each participant and to the group. They will pay attention to the group’s warmth and comfort. 

“I liked most the size, friendliness, and the mix of the group, and your gentle, friendly, welcoming manner.”