Nurturing Wellbeing Through Forest Therapy
About me
My name is Michelle and I am passionate about supporting people. I enjoy exercise, board games and being outdoors
My Story, Mission, and Values
Like most of my generation I grew up in a culture to achieve: work hard at school, university, get a good job and climb the career ladder. This would ultimately lead me to happiness, right? I stumbled across forest therapy at a time where I needed it and it started to change the way I measured success, what being happy meant, ultimately how I wanted to live my life shifted. I started taking myself off to practice alone in nature and felt the benefits of this in so many areas of my life.
I thought about friends, family, colleagues, people I supported in my work and what the benefits of forest therapy could have for them. Forest therapy can benefit anyone who is willing to approach it with an open mind, anyone who is curious and isn't afraid of the elements!
Throughout my professional career I have met many people in challenging situations with their health, and research studies show that many health conditions are preventable through positive lifestyle changes. Forest therapy could be one of those positive changes for you.
My Expereince
In my professional career as an occupational therapist, I have experience working with people with health needs and I have supported people to achieve goals around daily living to promote their independence
Often by the time a person meets their OT they have experienced significant life events which had over time eroded their independence. These may include a health diagnosis, change in social circumstances or unexpected loss of a loved one, all which have contributed to their current situation.
I chose to train to become a Forest Therapy Practitioner to work with people before they find themselves in need of professional support. To enable them to have the tools to take care of their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing and give themselves the permission to do this alongside their busy lives.
