What we’re about
🌱 Unplug & recover the peace of presence with Forest Therapy.
Forest Therapy is a practice that supports health and wellness through guided immersion in forests and other environments to promote the well-being of both people and the land.
It’s time to make peace with your body and mind.
If you’re looking for a gentle way to naturally balance your nervous system, shed the emotional heaviness of pandemic life and feel truly present, alive and at peace again, this is the group for you.
I'm Jess, ANFT Certified Forest & Nature Therapy Guide and IIN Certified Holistic Health & Wellness Counselor, I’m on a mission to help busy people living in urban (and suburban) environments recover peace in the present moments.
We think we have to drive far away from the city to really immerse ourselves in nature (and claim the numerous health benefits of doing so) but the truth is, we can reap the same health benefits by working with the local green spaces in our own backyard and local parks and neighborhoods.
Forest Therapy is a practice that supports health and wellness through guided immersion in forests and other environments to promote the well-being of both people and the land. It is inspired by Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of “Forest Bathing.” In Forest Bathing, people spend time in forested areas to enhance health, wellness, and happiness.
In Forest Therapy, people are guided through a clearly defined sequence of invitations to slow down, allow the senses to open, and experience the environment to deepen the reciprocal relationship between participants and the forest. This supports the wholeness and well-being of both. These Slow Walks in the Forest are typically a mile or less long and fit for all ages and physical conditions.
Invitations are open-ended. There is no expectation for what participants should experience or receive. Rather, participants spend time in silence, listening and feeling with a quiet and accepting presence. They become reconnected with their senses and their innate creative potential is tapped, which allows the imagination to awaken.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Restore in Nature: A Day Retreat for Educators Ready to Release the YearBabler State Park, St Louis, MO$125.00
Designed for educators (or the educator you love), this restorative day retreat offers nature as a healing partner. Release the weight of the school year, reconnect with yourself, and step into summer feeling lighter, grounded, and deeply supported.
🌿 RESTORE IN NATURE: A DAY RETREAT FOR EDUCATORS
Saturday, May 31, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Babler State Park (Wildwood, MO)
$125 Early Bird (by May 15) | $145 Regular
👉 Advance registration required: urbanforesttherapy.com/restoreThis isn’t a training. It’s a reset.
Designed just for educators (or the educator you love), this half-day retreat invites you to release the weight of the school year, reconnect with yourself, and begin summer feeling lighter, grounded, and supported.WHAT TO EXPECT
🌿 90 minute Forest Bathing & Nature Therapy Session Led by Jess Thenhaus, Certified Forest Therapy Guide & Board Certified Health & Wellness CoachThis isn’t a hike — it’s a 90-minute guided experience that invites you to slow down, engage your senses, and let your body soften into presence. Through gentle, nature-connection invitations, you’ll step out of stress mode and into the grounded, restorative rhythm of the natural world. It’s time to feel safe, supported, and like yourself again.
🌀 Nervous System & Storytelling Reset Session Guided by Ellen Tanner, a trauma-aware facilitator and advocate for helping professionals navigating overwhelm, exhaustion, and renewal.
In this 90-minute session, you’ll be invited to gently release the emotional weight you’ve been carrying. Through grounding, reflection, and facilitated storytelling prompts, you’ll access your body’s inner wisdom — and begin rewriting the silent narratives that burnout often distorts. You’ll leave feeling lighter, more seen, and more connected to your own power.
🥗 Nourishing Lunch + Gentle Connection Enjoy a fresh, boxed lunch with space to connect — or rest in quiet if that’s what you need. No small talk required. Just real, restorative time to be.
💚 Whether you're gifting this to a teacher you love or claiming a spot for yourself, this retreat is an invitation to come home to your body, your breath, and your well-being — before summer rushes in. Held at lushl Babler State Park in Wildwood, MO, you’ll be surrounded by trails, trees, and the quiet kind of beauty that helps you exhale the school year and soften back into yourself.
🧭 Accessibility & Physical Activity
This retreat is designed to be gentle and restorative. We'll cover less than a mile total at a slow pace, with portions of the Forest Bathing session taking place on grassy or dirt trail areas. There’s no hiking, no elevation, and no physical exertion required — just opportunities to slow down and reconnect with nature. If you have specific access needs or mobility concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re happy to work with you to make this experience as supportive and inclusive as possible.
THE SETTING
Held at beautiful Babler State Park in Wildwood, MO, this retreat offers a peaceful, wooded backdrop perfect for exhaling the school year and returning to yourself.🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF REST
Custom printable or email gift certificates available — perfect for Teacher Appreciation Week or end-of-year gifting. Just select “gift” at checkout.🪑 Only 18 spots available!
Let this be your first yes of summer.
🔗 Register now: urbanforesttherapy.com/restore
Questions? Contact us anytime at urbanforesttherapy.com/contact
