ROMANCE IN THE FOREST: NATURE’S WAY TO
RELATIONSHIP ENHANCEMENT –
A FOREST THERAPY EXPERIENCE

Forest Therapy is a guided, mindful, immersion in a forest environment to enhance physical, mental, social well-being, and connectedness to nature.

Unlike hiking or exercise-focused nature walks, forest therapy emphasizes presence, sensory awareness, and relaxation rather than destination or speed.

In romantic relationships, a gradual erosion of connectedness can occur over months or years, which create a growing distance and diminish the trust and loving feelings.

You are invited to reconnect more deeply through a guided experiential, sensory journey in a forest environment; with trust-building, playful and mindful activities, you will re-ignite the spark and feel closer.

Originating in Japan in the 80’s, Forest Bathing or shinrin-yoku (which translates to “forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere”), was developed to combat tech-boom burnout and encourage people to reconnect with nature.

Since then, the benefits of forest bathing have been identified and internationally studied by scientists. 

Mental/Physical Benefits can include the following, especially with regular practice:

    • Stress & anxiety reduction; lowering of stress hormones
    • Reduction of mental fatigue, and improved attentiveness & moods
    • Better ability to engage in present moment, thereby reducing an overly stressed mind’s tendency to focus mostly on past or future
    • Enhanced immune response due to increase of natural killer cells, and lowering blood pressure.

What We Will Do:

In this gently guided forest bathing event, consisting of a sensory immersion while BEING in nature with your partner, time will also be provided for reflection, sharing, and creativity. 

Examples of activities and invitations that will be part of this experience:

  • Immerse ourselves and explore our 6 senses (touch, hearing, smell, taste, sight, and proprioception – awareness of body position, movement and force).
  •  Specifically: observe and feel the contrasts of textures, shades and colors in the forest. Discern the sounds you hear near and far.
  • Find a spot to sit, to reflect and make a short journal entry on a given theme
  • In collaboration with partner, create something from natural elements around us
  • Share and learn ways to increase sensory input in daily life as a couple
  • Create a web of sharing showing the interconnectedness of all beings and nature
  • Engage in trust-building activities (with details provided at the event)
  • And much more.

This event is gently guided, with specific sensory-enhancing activities, by forest therapist and therapeutic counsellor Isabelle St-Jean, RSW, RTC.

 

Fee for the event: $ 150.00 per couple.

For more info and/or to register, please email: isabelle@alpineclinic.ca
or call Alpine Counselling Clinic: 604 732-3930 for free 15 minutes consult.

When: September 12th, 2026  1:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Where: Pacific Spirit Park, Vancouver
(Off West 16 Ave. North Entrance Parking)

Can be claimed on your extended benefits as a Registered Social Worker appointment.

Tree
Forest path with trees