Forest Immersion Guide
Facilitating gentle, guided Forest immersion experiences
What Is A Forest Immersion Experience?
What is a Forest Immersion Experience?
A Forest Immersion Experience (Forest Therapy) is the intentional practice of slowing down and engaging fully with the natural world through your senses. Rather than hiking for distance or exercise, it invites you to be with nature; observing, listening, touching, and connecting with your surroundings in a mindful way.Often guided, these experiences may include gentle invitations such as noticing the movement of leaves, feeling textures, or tuning into natural sounds. The focus is not on reaching a destination, but on deepening awareness and cultivating a meaningful relationship with the environment.Offering a structured yet flexible way to support relaxation, presence, and connection.Where Does It Stem From?
Modern practices are largely inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, which translates to “forest bathing.” Developed in Japan in the 1980s, it emerged as a response to increasing stress and disconnection from nature in urban life.
Shinrin-yoku was supported by public health research and encouraged people to spend intentional, mindful time in forests to improve well-being. Over time, this approach spread globally and evolved.
Today, Forest Immersion (Forest Therapy) blends ancient human-nature connection traditions with modern science, creating accessible experiences for people in forests, parks, and other natural settings.What Are the Benefits??
Engaging in Forest Immersion can offer a wide range of mental, emotional, and physical benefits including:
-Stress Reduction: Time in nature has been shown to lower cortisol levels and calm the nervous system.
-Improved Mood: Natural environments has shown to help reduce anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue.
-Enhanced Focus & Creativity: Slowing down in nature has shown to restore attention and support clearer thinking.
-Deeper Connection: Participants can often experience a renewed sense of belonging; to themselves, others, and the natural world.
Research in fields like Environmental Psychology continues to demonstrate how meaningful time in nature supports holistic well-being. Feel free to read more about the benefits below. 
Disclaimer:
I am not a licensed medical professional, therapist, or healthcare provider. I serve as a Forest Immersion (Forest Therapy) guide, offering experiences intended to support general well-being, relaxation, and connection with nature.Forest Immersion (Forest Therapy) are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. These experiences should not be used as medical or psychological care. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or well-being.Forest Immersion Experiences
Private Forest Immersion
A deeply personal experience designed just for you (or 1-3 people). In these one-on-one sessions, you are gently guided through a forest immersion practice tailored to your pace, needs, and intentions. With spaciousness and care, we move slowly; allowing you to soften, notice, and reconnect with both the natural world and your inner landscape.Through guided invitations, this offering creates a supportive container for reflection, grounding, and quiet restoration. Whether you’re seeking stillness, clarity, or simply time to breathe, this is your space to arrive fully as you are.
Great for people looking for a unique 1v1 experience! 
Group Forest Immersion (Up to 10 People)
Gather in community and experience the forest together. These small group immersions (up to 10 people) are designed to foster connection; both with nature and with one another. While still honoring personal space and individual experience.
You’ll be guided through shared invitations, moments of quiet reflection, and gentle opportunities for connection. Practicing in a group can deepen your sense of belonging, especially within queer-affirming space, where you are welcomed exactly as you are.
Great for work teams, friends, family and groups!
Forest Immersion Events
Seasonal, creative, and ever-evolving; these are curated forest immersion experiences designed and hosted by Guided By Giantess. Each event offers a unique way to engage with the natural world, often weaving together themes, community, and sensory exploration.
From special gatherings to collaborative experiences, these events are an invitation to step into something a little magical.
Stay tuned for upcoming offerings and announcements on Instagram @_giantessFrequently Asked Questions
-
You can expect a series of gentle "invitations" rather than a structured hike. I will offer sensory prompts to help you slow down, but you are always the authority on your own experience; you are welcome to engage with these invitations in whatever way feels most nourishing for your body and mind in that moment.
-
The most important thing to bring is simply yourself. I invite you to wear comfortable layers and sturdy shoes, but beyond that, there is no "work" to do. This is a time for you to set down your roles and responsibilities and just be present with the forest.
-
While you are always welcome to wander the forest alone, a guide holds the "container" for you. I take care of the timing, the navigation, etc, which allows your brain to fully drop out of "survival or planning mode" and into a deep, restorative state of rest that often can be hard to achieve when you are solo.
-
No, I am not a clinical therapist. While the forest often provides a space for deep emotional and physical restoration, my role is to facilitate your connection with nature.
-
Typically, this experience lasts about 2 hours but can very depending on the group. We move very slowly, often covering less than a mile, to ensure your nervous system has the time it needs to settle into the pace of the woods.
-
I am a Certified Forest Therapy Guide and hold a Wilderness First Aid certification.
-
Inclusivity is important to me, and I want my forest immersion sessions to be a welcoming experience for everyone. If you have a disability or specific accessibility needs, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly. I'd love to have a conversation about how we can work together.
Every person's needs are unique, and I'm committed to doing my best to explore accommodations that make our time in nature meaningful and comfortable for you. Whether it relates to mobility, sensory considerations, or anything else, I'm happy to listen and collaborate on finding an approach that feels right.
Please contact me and we can chat through the possibilities together.
-
Each experience is unique and different. Once you fill out my contact form; I will reach out to you to get a bit more information so I can put together a clearly defined scope and cost! I do want to make this work as accessible as possible so I do offer sliding scale pricing to marginalized communities. If you are interested in that; please include that within your contact form submission.
The Guide
Guided By Giantess ~ Forest Immersion Guide
Gentle, guided forest immersion experiencesHello! My name is Colleen; your friendly lesbian giant! Both behind the lens and wandering among the trees. I work to guide others into the quiet magic of the forest, where the world softens and there’s room to simply be.My work is rooted in creating intentional, welcoming spaces where queer folks can show up exactly as they are; unmasked, unhurried, and fully themselves. Whether through shared stillness, gentle exploration, or moments of wonder, I invite you to reconnect not only with nature, but with your own sense of belonging within it.Currently located in Pittsburgh, PA