About Forest Therapy
Forest Therapy is a practice of spending time in the forest for the purpose of enhancing one’s health, wellness, and happiness. Forest Therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku or forest bathing. Research has shown that spending time in nature:
- Reduces levels of cortisol, a stress hormone
- Can boost the immune system
- Activates production of, cancer fighting, N-K white blood cells
Spending time in nature can reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, and potentially cancer; it can help reduce inflammation, restore mental energy, and improve mental health, short-term memory, concentration, creativity, and sleep.
A Forest Therapy Walk is a gentle 2 to 2.5 hour walk, during which the guide offers a series of invitations to help participants slow down, engage their senses, release stress, and be more present while they connect with the natural world and experience the restorative qualities of nature.
About Red Cedar Forest Therapy
Welcome to Red Cedar Forest Therapy! RCFT was founded out of a love of the forest and of helping people connect to the forest and to themselves.
About Your Guide, Andrea Kreiner:
Andrea has had a lifelong connection to the Earth and the natural world. She comes to forest therapy guiding after a 30 year career in climate change and sustainability, working with governments and businesses around the world. Now, she gets to blend her facilitation, strategic planning, and team building skills with her joy in sharing the forest with participants on her walks.
Andrea wrote her first poem after being inspired by the rocky coast in Maine as an 11 year-old, and now enjoys composing poems in partnership with trees. She truly loves spending time in the forest, on any given day, you will find her walking her dog, wandering, running, or sitting along the forest trails by her home. When she is not in the forest, she is busy with her husband and 5 children (4 human, 1 canine) or working on her second cookbook.
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Services
Public Walks
Our Forest Therapy Public Walks are scheduled at a variety of locations in the Portland area through partnerships with the Forest Park Conservancy, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Reserve, and Portland Audubon. Check the links to these partners to find and register for an upcoming walk.
Private, Family, & Group Walks
A Forest Therapy Walk is a unique way to connect with family and friends while connecting with nature. Our walks can bring people from different geographic locations together, creating a wonderful opportunity to connect with both nature and each other.
Corporate
Services
Forest Therapy can be incorporated into team building, strategic planning, and employee wellness programs, bringing benefits such as reduced stress and increased creativity and productivity.
Ten Seconds of Peacefulness
Ten Seconds of Peacefulness in the Columbia River Gorge
Testimonials
With Andrea’s sensitive and clear guidance, we were immediately welcomed into an exploration of the forest through our senses that opened up a new world for me. As I slowed down and connected with nature and myself more deeply, I became more grounded, open, and joyful. I highly recommend Forest Therapy with Andrea for all ages!
No one coming to Portland should miss this experience. Not only will it relax you, but it will encourage you to hug a tree, enhance your senses, calm your nerves and you will meet an awesomely talented person! My daughter and I did this together and had a very meditative, spiritual and fun experience in the forest. Don’t forget your bathing suit! Haha!
Contact Us
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Red Cedar Forest Therapy 