About

Nature and Forest Therapy by WildFlowers' Walks

Guide: Erin Flowers

I am a certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy (ANFT).   I am also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts.   Forest Therapy has become one of my favorite wellness practices, and something I am endeavoring  to share with others.    "Forest Bathing,"  "Forest Therapy," or "Shinrin Yoku," is a health practice that developed in Japan and is now practiced worldwide.  Join me for a guided-walk that will immerse you in a natural environment and bathe you in the restorative effects of Nature.    When you participate in a guided-walk, Nature is the therapist - my role  as a guide is to, "hold space," and offer activities created to connect the guest with the natural world.  Forest & Nature Therapy is a practice of immersing the self in the natural environment and "soaking-in" the Forest through our senses - such as hearing, sight, and smell.   It is an embodiment practice.  Perhaps in this exploration guests can develop a better connection to our natural-selves.   

The Benefits of Nature and Forest Therapy include: 

• Heightened awareness of our relationship with Nature

• Decrease Stress 

• Increase attention

• Improve immune system

• Reduce depression

• Increased Creativity

• Improve Altruism 

Please visit the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy at https://www.natureandforesttherapy.earth to learn more about this practice model.

My Story:

I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts and have been practicing in acute, care mental-health for more than 20 years. I  earned my master’s degree at Framingham State College.  I was certified by the Association of Nature of Forest Therapy in 2022 as a Guide, and completed my training in 2023.  I began to explore wellness practices in 2022 during treatment for cancer.  I am an active outdoors enthusiast.  I enjoy hiking, visiting parks, and riding (I am a licensed Riding Instructor in Massachusetts).  As part of my own wellness practices I also became certified to teach Women’s Radiant Lotus Qigong in 2024.