How to Find Healing in Nature, According to Portland Forest Therapist

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Zoë Presley was walking in the woods near her home outside of Portland when she came across a leaf hanging from a single strand of spider silk, twirling gently in the air.

“It created a feeling of connection to the natural world which I personally found to be truly peaceful and grounded and charming,” Presley said. “It’s a different kind of wonder than one might experience standing at the edge of the cliff on the Oregon coast or being on top of the mountain – it’s the wonder of the connection. “

This is exactly the kind of connection that she helps others discover. Presley is a specialist psychologist and licensed professional counselor, as well as a practicing forest therapist – a thriving field helping people find healing in natural landscapes.

Forest therapy is based on the Japanese concept of shinrin yoku, or forest bath, in which a person enters a natural space with the specific intention of improving their emotional well-being.

“Forest baths, forest therapy, these are intentional practices. And healing is much more likely to happen when we access our will to be touched by something bigger than ourselves, ”Presley said.

The people of Oregon have long appreciated the blessings of nature, and in recent years hiking and camping have only grown in popularity. But while going out for leisure alone can have positive effects on our well-being, Presley said it takes specific intention to access deeper healing in nature.

It requires a completely different approach to how we exist in natural spaces, she said. She recommends that people try to reframe their outdoor experience away from exercise, and instead carry a specific intention to connect with nature. Slowing down is a good first step, as is putting away all electronic devices. Moving quietly in the natural space allows the senses to awaken, capturing the sounds, images and smells of the environment.

Filtered light paints a fern frond in the forest along the Eagle Creek Trail in the Salmon-Huckleberry Desert of the Mount Hood National Forest.Jamie Hale / The Oregonian

Cottonwood Canyon

A butterfly rests on a shrub along the Pinnacles Trail in Cottonwood Canyon State Park in central Oregon.Jamie Hale / The Oregonian

Forest therapy

Zoë Presley is a Certified Professional Counselor and Portland-based In-Office Forest Therapist, helping people find healing in nature. Jamie Hale / The Oregonian

Once the body has adapted to nature, that deeper connection can finally happen, she said – although that also requires paying close attention to your internal environment.

“Healing often happens in subtle ways,” Presley said. “We might just notice a change in the way our body feels or a subtle change in our mood. And if we don’t pay attention to these subtle changes, we might not even realize that healing is happening. “

These experiences are deeply personal and can vary greatly from person to person. The Association of Nature and Forest Guides and Therapy Programs, which certifies forest therapists, warns that there is no prescription for what a person “should” receive as a result. The goal is to have a deeper connection with nature and to see what emerges from within.

Having a licensed professional counselor like Presley as a guide is helpful for those with particularly intense emotional experiences. She recounted one session where a military veteran burst into tears when he was finally able to relax, and another where a woman began to release pent-up grief among the trees.

There has been growing evidence of the overwhelmingly positive impact of nature on our mental and physical health, not only helping to fight obesity, heart disease and depression, but also reducing the risk of all of Diabetes To myopia. A 2019 study published in the natural science journal Scientific Reports showed that spend at least two hours in nature each week has improved overall health and well-being.

Presley said spending time in nature doesn’t necessarily mean going on long hikes or finding great views in scenic spots. People can connect with nature by walking around their neighborhood, sitting in their backyard, or even spending time with their houseplants.

The point is not to overwhelm you with an awesome experience, but to learn to feel a more subtle form of awe.

“It’s the fear of simplicity. It’s the awe of simple beauty, ”Presley said. “I think these kinds of experiences are just as powerful as the amazing experiences we also have in the natural world.”

As Oregonians and people around the world continue to navigate difficult and traumatic times for many, it is more important than ever to have a source of healing on hand, she said. We just need to learn how to access this healing for ourselves and for those around us.

“I think some of the most profound healing experiences are where we just have a change in the way we think about something,” Presley said. “Something that we ourselves didn’t think was possible to feel, do or experience all of a sudden becomes very real and very possible, and it can have a ripple effect on so many areas of life. .

Hoyt Arboretum

Blue skies peek through a forest along the Wildwood Trail near the Hoyt Arboretum.Oregonian

6 PLACES AROUND PORTLAND TO FIND HEALING IN NATURE

These are familiar natural landscapes in and around the Portland area. Some are favorite hiking trails and popular attractions, and all are great places for forest bathing. As you explore, try to keep an open mind, free from any expectations. The healing offered by nature is often subtle, so watch out for little nudges and go with your instincts.

TRYON STREAM

Head to Southwest Portland Tryon Creek State Natural Area, where miles of crisscrossing trails lead over beautiful streams. Let your mind calm down as you walk and let yourself dissolve in the forest. In early spring, discover the Ruth Pennington Trillium Trail, where small trillium flowers still bloom.

HOYT ARBORETUM

With 12 miles of trails along 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from six continents, the Hoyt Aboretum in Portland is a perfect place for forest swimming. Find a tree that calls you and spend time with it. Try to put your hands on its trunk, smell the wood, and look around at the different plants and animals around it.

JAPANESE GARDEN OF PORTLAND

Organized as a place of mediating communion with nature, the Portland Japanese Garden is designed to offer healing, with carefully manicured gardens, calm ponds, and resident wildlife. The landscaping is a nice sight, but there is more than it looks. Find a quiet place to sit in the garden and close your eyes, allowing your other senses to come to life.

OXBOW REGIONAL PARK

Old growth forest along the Sandy River at Oxbow Regional Park outside of Troutdale is a nice place to fall into nature. The rainforest is alive even in winter, when bright spring moss covers everything in sight. As you walk, observe the abundance of life all around you and feel that you are part of this ecosystem.

MARQUAM NATURAL PARK

Marquam Natural Park in southwest Portland is a great place for walking meditation, with many loop trails that cut through a forested canyon. Located next to the OHSU, the park is actively used as a place of healing. Leave the stresses of your daily life behind and feel open as you walk, allowing the natural landscape to soak up your soul.

TUALATIN RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

For those who like to commune with animals and plants, places like the Tualatin River National Wildlife Reserve south of Tigard are an essential resource. Home to wintering waterfowl as well as other birds, mammals, reptiles and fish, the refuge is always bustling. Activating all of your senses can be overwhelming, so pick a place that calls out to you and stay still. From there, you can witness all the interconnected cogs of the ecosystem.

–Jamie Hale; [email protected]; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB


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