The Rise of Forest Therapy in Canada’s Mental Health Movement
As Canadians increasingly turn to nature for healing, forest therapy in Canada emerges as a powerful antidote to urban stress and clinical burnout.
Nature’s Path to Mental Wellness
In an age of rising anxiety, isolation, and digital overload, Canadians are turning to the forest for more than just weekend hikes. Forest therapy, also known as forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku, is gaining ground as a holistic tool in Canada’s mental health movement. The timing couldn’t be more critical.
Across the country, mental health professionals and nature guides are embracing this practice. They blend Indigenous knowledge, modern psychology, and eco-wellness to offer Canadians a new path to emotional balance. But what’s behind this growing phenomenon?
From Forest Walks to Clinical Interventions
What is Forest Therapy?
Originating in Japan in the 1980s, forest therapy is the practice of immersing oneself in natural environments. The intention is promoting mental, emotional, and physical healing. Unlike brisk hiking or outdoor exercise, forest therapy encourages slow, mindful engagement with nature. It is often guided by certified facilitators.
In Canada, the movement is gaining institutional traction. Organizations like the Canadian Institute of Forest Therapy (CIFT) are training professionals in trauma-informed nature guiding. Meanwhile, hospitals and wellness centers are exploring it as a complement to conventional therapy.
“Being in the forest invites us into stillness. It’s where the nervous system recalibrates,” says Dr. Amanda Reid, a registered psychotherapist and forest therapy guide based in British Columbia. “For many clients, it’s where healing finally begins.”
Why Now? The Roots of a Movement
Several factors have contributed to the rise of forest therapy in Canada:
- Post-pandemic mental health crisis: According to a 2023 report by CAMH, over 1 in 5 Canadians reported worsened mental health since COVID-19.
- Nature deficit disorder: Urban living, screen time, and sedentary routines have disconnected many from the natural world.
- Indigenous land-based healing: Indigenous communities have long recognized the spiritual and medicinal power of nature. This wisdom is increasingly being honoured in mainstream health conversations.
Forest therapy sits at the intersection of science and soul. Studies have shown it can reduce cortisol levels, boost immune function, and improve mood. But its most powerful impact may be how it helps rebuild our relationship with the Earth.
Where the Forest Leads: Looking Ahead
As demand for non-clinical mental health supports grows, forest therapy may soon play a larger role. It will influence wellness plans, insurance coverage, and even education. Pilot programs in Ontario and British Columbia explore how it can serve populations like veterans, youth, and healthcare workers facing burnout.
Public sentiment is also shifting. Online communities and Instagram feeds are full of Canadians documenting their “healing walks.” At the same time, searches for “forest therapy near me” are on the rise.
Yet accessibility remains a concern. Rural and marginalized communities may lack transportation or safe access to green spaces. Experts say municipal planning must prioritize equitable access to nature, from urban forests to community parks.
Reconnecting in the Age of Disconnection
Forest therapy is more than a trend — it’s a return to something deeply human. As Canada grapples with a mounting mental health crisis, the forest offers what no app or prescription can: presence, perspective, and peace.
And perhaps, in turning back to the trees, we’ll rediscover parts of ourselves long forgotten.
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