To fully understand the healing power of forest therapy, one has to understand who guides the participants on their journey and how they do it. Forest Therapy Guide Suzann Schiemer, sat down for an interview explaining the ins and outs of what it takes to be a forest therapy guide.

When the general question asking what a forest therapy guide was posed, Schiemer described guides facilitators whose role it is to open the door for sensory experiences with the natural world. She defined how forest therapy guides are “trained and certified” through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT). These guides offer invitations during the forest therapy walks to find the sensation of the forest.

Her goal as a forest therapy guide is to provide opportunities to share what forest therapy is all about while getting people excited about nature and encourage the betterment of nature.

She noted how the experience differs from each participant and the key is to listen to the message nature is sending to you. One anecdote she shared was how, “Some people have conversations with a tree.”.

Schiemer has been dedicated to the craft of forest therapy for a few years now. She described how in 2017, she earned her first “place based” certificate. This certificate allowed her only to be a guide in that particular place. Her full certification came in the fall of 2018 which allows for much greater freedom and the ability to perform walks anywhere.

When asked why she became a forest therapy guide, Schiemer responded with,

“It was an accident.”.

She explained how her research into green exercise led her into researching forest therapy. Her place-based training was accomplished at at the Woodlock Lodge in Hawley, PA. Her enthusiasm for forest therapy really skyrocketed when she saw the response from participants who were very moved by the forest therapy experience.

As the interview progressed, Schiemer was able to delve into further detail of the specific advantages to using a forest therapy guide. When asked about why choose a guide over a traditional hike,

Schiemer stated,

“Akin to yoga, one can do it on their own but people tend to be more dedicated with a guide.”.

She also described how her role as the guide is to support the relaxation and restoration of the participants. The guide takes the thinking of out things so the participant can be open to the experience.

A forest therapy guide also appears to be economically viable in this economy. Schiemer explained how the cost for a guide can vary depending on the context of the situation. She gave two examples. When she worked for Daulphin County Park & Rec, the cost was $25 per adult, but the cost was only $5 for the Ned Smith Center. It is important to note that the Ned Smith Center is a non-profit and non-profits may do more volunteer events.

If finding a forest therapy guide is a concern, Schiemer was able to provide a very easy solution. She noted that the ANFT website has a worldwide map available which allows one to find contact information for a guide within their area.

Being a forest therapy guide is not always easy though, when asked about what the greatest challenges she faces as a guide, Schiemer responded with “interpretation”. She explained how people do not always understand the process of forest therapy or they face a difficulty giving up three hours of their time.

When asked to describe what the process of becoming a forest therapy guide entail,

Schiemer answered, “Go for an eight-day intensive on-site training exercise.”

She described the six-month practicum which includes curriculum assignment and immersive exercises that must be completed. Each month, practicum assignments assigned by the trainee’s mentor must be completed and there needs to be check-in phone calls to record the trainees progress with their assigned mentor. A guide must complete a certain number of walks for practice and submit trail maps of their planned walks to become certified.

Schiemer’s favorite experience being a forest therapy guide has been listening to the,

“Comments people share during and after and how their immersion is working with them.”

Schiemer is one of many certified forest therapy guides who are doing their part to provide a green-healing for people while striving for the betterment of mankind’s relationship with nature.