Offering a heart-centered practice to help people (re)connect to nature and themselves.

As a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, my offering is rooted in tradition and informed by modern science.

My hope is to help us tend to our relationships with the natural world — for the sake of the Earth, humanity, and each of us as individuals.

It’s my honor as your guide to help you practice slowing down, giving your analytical mind a break, and attuning to the present moment and yourself with curiosity and compassion.

I guide groups and individuals in the Chicago area (lands of the Ottawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi Nations), and beyond.

Learn about my public Forest Therapy offerings here or contact me to schedule a private one or form a partnership — I’d love to hear from you!

Want to learn about future future Forest Therapy opportunities with me? Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. (I email an average of 2-3 times/month.)

Photo by Jenna Beekhuis on Unsplash

What is Forest Therapy?

Forest Therapy, also known as forest bathing, is a practice for supporting healing and wellness—for both people and the Earth—through immersion in forests and other natural environments. It’s a very simple practice, but simple doesn’t always mean easy. That’s where your guide (me!) comes in — to help you tune into your senses and welcome whatever may arise. Documented benefits from Forest Therapy include:

  • decreased stress and anxiety

  • improved mood

  • nervous system support

  • increased immunity

  • reduction in chronic pain

  • emotion tending

  • increased attention span and creativity

  • increased feelings of connection to the Earth, oneself, and humanity

  • and so much more…

 

Meet your Guide

My offering is not about being the perfect environmentalist, or being the most spiritual person, or doing anything “right.” It’s about paying attention, with curiosity and compassion, to whatever shows up in nature (which when we remember, includes ourselves and all of humankind).

 

Sarah Abu-Absi (photo by Erin Drewitz)

What People Are Saying

  • Abigail (March 2023)

    I had never experienced Forest Therapy before and I'm glad I did! Sarah is an excellent, gracious and accepting guide and facilitator and the experience itself was really freeing. It felt so nice to disconnect from devices and to take the time to really connect to nature, to myself, and to be present for the group. I'll definitely do it again and highly recommend Sarah and forest therapy!

  • Ande Breunig (June 2022)

    If you haven’t “bathed” in the forest, now is your chance! Not only is our area rife with beautiful areas to become one with nature and get closer to your soul, but Sarah is the perfect guide. She is so kind and entrenched in what she does that you feel better just being close to her energy. 11/10 recommend!

  • Liz (June 2022)

    The two hours spent with Sarah just a few minutes into Glenview Woods exceeded my expectations. What I thought would be just a pleasant morning walking among the trees turned out to be a fully immersive, rejuvenating and restorative event. I left feeling like I'd been at a week-long retreat. Thank you Sarah, can't wait to do it again!

  • J.L. Basbas (May 2022)

    This is my first time partaking in a guided forest bathing sesh and I couldn't be more grateful to have Sarah as my guide. The space she created during our walk felt both all-consuming and ever-expanding as if our energies were merging with our surroundings. It was a beautiful, much-needed experience and I recommend anyone who may be curious about forest bathing to give it a try. Trust, it will not disappoint. 💚

  • Lauren (May 2022)

    I highly recommend working with Sarah. Despite the cold and mud, I felt totally comfortable & safe. Sarah has a welcoming practice and has opened a new way for me to focus on wellness. Forest bathing isn't about hiking, it's about slowing down. I'm really grateful for having had this experience.

  • Lisa (April 2022)

    This was my first encounter with forest bathing, and it won’t be my last. Sarah’s guidance is light hearted and approachable, but also opens the door to deep personal exploration. Being fully absorbed in nature and feeling a true kinship with the trees connected me to the natural world in a fresh way — as well as to a pure, almost childlike version of myself. What a gift!

  • Eve (March 2022)

    Sarah has a true gift. She lovingly guides you to use the natural world to heal and find calm. I felt very at peace after the invitations and really enjoyed the tea.

  • Suzanna (March 2022)

    It’s a great way to put things in perspective and give you a wider view of your life. And it helps you feel connected to the world.

  • Allison (December 2021)

    I highly recommend Sarah's tree therapy walk as a means to finding serenity and focus through connecting more deeply to one's natural environment.

My Offerings

  • Private Forest Therapy (Groups and Individuals)

    Photo by Arian Darvishi on Unsplash

  • Public Forest Therapy

    Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash

  • Virtual Forest Therapy (Remotely Guided)

    Photo by Ethan Unzicker on Unsplash

More about my Offerings