Holistic Psychotherapy and Forest Immersion Walks

Welcome to Forest Immersion Walks. ​We partner with nature to offer Holistic Counselling, forest therapy, and nature connection experiences for adults, families and children. We offer in person, and online experiences to play, be creative, and explore the natural world with our senses. We are passionate about protecting old growth forests and a portion of profits are donated to local forest protection organisations.

Forest Immersion walks takes you out of the city and suburbs, out of your everyday routine life and into another world. 

A place where time is suspended and experienced differently. A place where we can explore our wild self.

In a world where we’re constantly pushed to do, generate, achieve, and bombarded with so much information, Forest Immersion walks invite you to be with yourself, and with the delights and wonders of the nature world. 

The trees, the waters, the birds and animals are all here to greet you, to remind you of your true essence, your home and your place within the web of life. 

Forest Immersion experiences are a combination of forest bathing, mindful walking, and sensory exploration practices. Your guide will offer simple practices which aim to connect us with the natural world.

We slow down, see with new eyes and ground in this beautiful, sacred Earth which nourishes and supports us. We will conclude our walk with a tea ceremony and some light snacks.

This practice is adaptable to people of varying mobility levels and health conditions. Please let your guide know in advance if you have any queries about whether these walks are right for you.

People who join a Forest Immersion walk:

• Learn simple, gentle ways to slow down and connect with nature
• Discover ways to connect more deeply with their senses
• Enjoy the exquisite pleasure of the present moment
• Step outside their everyday perspective and see with new eyes
• Remember that we are part of the ecosystem of life
• Meet the land, the Earth, the winged, furred and green friends with deeper intimacy
• Have time and space to be seen and heard to the extent they are comfortable with, and to witness others as they share their experience
• Contribute to the protection of our planet as part of each ticket sale goes towards a Forest Protection cause

Reciprocity

Just like the forest is in constant exchange of resources, I commit to sharing back with the forest as a thank you for holding us and giving us life.

A portion of proceeds from walks are donated to Forest Protection causes such as: the Bob Brown Foundation, the Djab Wurrung Embassy, The Flora and Fauna Collective and the Goongerah Environment Centre (GECO), Trusts for Nature, Rainforest Information Centre, Habitat Restoration Project, the Global Pachamama Alliance and the Rainforest Action network.

My vision is that we as humans connect more deeply with nature, with ourselves and with each other. I offer Forest Immersion walks and Holistic Psychotherapy as ways to experience deeper connection with ourselves and the natural world around us.

Rachel has a deep commitment to support humans to embrace a life they truly love. She brings her passion for wellness and connectedness to her practice of psychotherapy and forest therapy. She listens deeply and seeks to guide clients to the heart of the matter with gentleness, wisdom and clarity. She sees the natural world as one of her greatest teachers and invites us to deepen our connection to self, others, and the natural world. 

She has over 15 years experience in community connection roles with youth, volunteers, and people in need of support; as well as organising events for people with vision loss.

She has completed a Holistic Counselling Course with Lee Trew from Connection Culture, as well as postgraduate studies in psychology, community development, and she is a certified Nature and Forest therapy guide with the Association of Nature and Forest therapy. She has a deep love of nature and all beings, and loves to share this with others in nature. She offers in person psychotherapy in North East Victoria, as well as online or phone counselling sessions. 

I have had 3 sessions with Rachel and each time it’s been insightful and healing to unpack what is going on for me. Rachel is so skilled at summarizing and clarifying what I’m feeling too, she can listen to what I’m experiencing and a number of times she simplified what I was trying to say with clarity. I feel heard, understood and cared for by Rachel and when she asks her thought provoking questions I am able to make sense of what I need to do for me. Rachel is a fantastic guide and support person and thanks to her I’m able to honour my emotions more, up my self care, identify and make better choices for myself. – Tammy M

Post Forest Immersion Walk Reflections

I just experienced my first Forest Immersion walk and what a wonderful experience it was! The opportunity to simply be, walking slowly, stopping, looking, listening, touching, breathing in, being with – so nurturing. Thank you Rachel – your gentle spirit leading us was just what I needed.’ – Jane

‘In our busy and urban lifestyle it was great to connect with nature in a slow and leisurely manner.’ -Frank

‘I’ve always lived in cities and I am aware of the disconnect I have being in nature. These forest walks provide me that space to be in nature, to actually look and be in awe of its vastness and its richness. I appreciate how this program gave me access to reconnecting. I’d recommend it to anyone who is up for a rejuvenating and meaningful experience on the weekends.’ – Anna

‘Rachel takes you through the whole experience beforehand so you have a connection with your surrounds and your senses.’ – Moira

The Forest Immersion walk was a beautiful meditative day to slow down the pace and really observe nature. The activities were a great way to activate the senses and let the mind go wild until it eventually calmed and became empty. – Emma

Rachel provides an experience that is accessible for everyone with her depth of knowledge and passion for the natural world. She has genuine care for people and for them to experience peace and joy during their immersion. Myself and my partner benefited greatly from the chance to take time away from our chaotic, demanding lives and to take time to pause and renew ourselves. Thank you Rachel! – Emily

I totally loved the Forest Immersion walk with my 5 year old grandson, Harvey.  At first Harvey was tentative to touch some leaves and scared of snakes and by the end of our immersion walk, he was rolling on the grass and in the leaves without a care in the world. I was so appreciative of the time in nature to connect with our big old trees. The words that came to mind as I sat and reflected were unity in diversity and in diversity there is unity. Thank you Rachel for a most wonderful experience in nature. Your little cards of questions, curiosity, playfulness and following the lead of the children really was a delight to experience. – Family Immersion walk participant Robyn