Immersive Forest Bathing: Ethical & Mindful Clinical Practice in Nature

Learn to ethically integrate mindfulness and nature into therapy while earning 3 NBCC CE hours in an immersive outdoor training.
About this Event

Step beyond the traditional therapy office and discover how nature can become an intentional extension of the therapeutic environment.

This immersive continuing education experience introduces behavioral health professionals to the principles of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku) and nature-based mindfulness while exploring practical ways to ethically integrate outdoor therapeutic experiences into clinical practice. Participants will experience evidence-informed mindfulness activities firsthand while learning how these interventions may be thoughtfully adapted for clients in a variety of counseling settings.

Through experiential learning at Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve, participants will explore how mindfulness, sensory awareness, and intentional connection with nature can support emotional regulation, stress reduction, resilience, self-awareness, and overall well-being. The training emphasizes practical clinical application, helping therapists confidently determine when, where, and how to incorporate nature-based interventions into counseling practice.

Participants will also examine the ethical and legal considerations associated with moving therapy beyond the traditional office environment, including informed consent, confidentiality in public spaces, documentation, boundaries, safety planning, accessibility, risk management, and scope of competence.

A unique component of this training explores how thoughtfully designed nature-based interventions may expand opportunities for healing among diverse client populations, including underserved and marginalized communities. Participants will discuss ways outdoor therapeutic experiences may reduce barriers to traditional office-based counseling for some individuals while promoting cultural humility, community connection, accessibility, and holistic wellness. Emphasis will be placed on individualized treatment planning and ethical decision-making, recognizing that nature-based counseling is one therapeutic option—not a one-size-fits-all intervention—and should always be adapted to meet each client's unique needs, preferences, culture, abilities, and clinical presentation.

Attendees will leave with practical tools, ethical guidance, and greater confidence in determining when and how nature can become a meaningful extension of the therapeutic process.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the foundational principles of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku), mindfulness, and nature-based therapeutic interventions and their application within behavioral health practice.
2. Identify ethical and legal considerations associated with providing counseling services in outdoor settings, including informed consent, confidentiality, documentation, professional boundaries, safety planning, accessibility, and scope of competence.
3. Demonstrate mindfulness-based activities and nature-centered interventions that may be incorporated into counseling sessions to support emotional regulation, stress reduction, resilience, and client well-being.
4. Evaluate how nature-based counseling interventions may promote accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and client engagement among diverse populations, including underserved and marginalized communities, while applying ethical and individualized clinical decision-making.
5. Develop a practical implementation plan for ethically integrating nature-based counseling strategies into their own clinical practice while maintaining professional standards, client-centered care, and clinical competence.

Participants Will Experience

During this immersive training participants will engage in:

• Guided Forest Bathing experiences
• Mindfulness and grounding practices
• Sensory awareness exercises
• Nature-based reflection activities
• Clinical discussion and application
• Ethical case consultation
• Small group discussion
• Practical implementation planning

Participants Will Receive

Each attendee will receive access to the Outdoor Therapy Toolkit™, including:

• Sample Nature-Based Counseling Informed Consent Template
• Outdoor Therapy Safety Checklist
• Therapist Backpack Checklist
• Client Packing Checklist
• Host & Event Planning Checklist
• Nature Session Readiness Checklist
• Ethical Considerations Checklist
• Outdoor Therapy Documentation Template
• Mindfulness and Nature-Based Intervention Guide
• Resource List for Continued Learning