Forest Therapy Victoria

07/09/2025

Remember I introduced the new ‘thing’ last week?

Well, here’s a sneak peak of what’s inside.

Some very beautiful illustrations. Hand drawn (not by me). No AI here.

I wrote the words. Most of them I wrote while sitting on the verandah of a cabin in the Grampians.

But i cant show you those yet.

Because…there’s more than one thing. And the other isn’t quite ready!

01/09/2025

Here’s a new thing I CAN tell you about!

The talented Cameron Semmens and I have put together a unique Forest Therapy Victoria experience combining nature, writing, and spoken word poetry.

You don’t have to be a poet to participate, or even see your self as remotely creative. All you need is a willingness to soak in all the nature has to offer, and receive it differently through the words of poets through the ages.

Join us for poetry under the trees!

Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/write-in-the-forest-eagles-nest-olinda-tickets-1649595908769?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

01/09/2025

The people from Zorali and I have been working on a thing.

It’s a very cool thing.

It’s taken us three years to make the thing.

But sadly I cant show you the thing.

Not yet.

It's just a few more weeks away.

But I think you’ll like it!

30/08/2025

When I was a kid, I never wanted a desk job. This is now my office!

28/08/2025

I see this with my clients all the time.

https://phys.org/news/2025-08-nature-depth-life.html?fbclid=IwdGRjcAMc5tRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHr1jmXF3uOVNw8IU_3jvYJ8T4oogk-yLbDn4tdZRT1ZrLh-mhM__W1druXlr_aem_OOi-RIAd9Dvqd9VVXYY2ug

Spending time in nature helps people to identify what is meaningful in their lives, shows a new Finnish study conducted at the University of Turku. The research article has been published in the journal People and Nature.

23/08/2025

18/08/2025

I don’t visit schools as much as I used to when I was doing the cartoon incursions.

But I still visit from time to time.

However now it’s to talk about a different aspect of wellbeing.

It used to be how creativity contributed to resilient mental health.

Now, unsurprisingly, it’s about nature.

Today I took the Yr 10 psychology students from Donvale Christian College down to the Mullum Trail. Today’s psychology class was about experiencing nature differently, with a focus on relaxation and stress reduction.

They were hesitant at first.

It was a bit new. Maybe even strange.

But then something clicked.

Nature started to do its magic.

You could see the students lean into their Forest Therapy experience.

It was calm. Peaceful. Filling.

Walking back to the classroom I answered as many questions as I could. Some were rager to know more.

If any of them go on to become psychologists, I hope they will remember this day.

And see the grass under the trees as important as the couch in the therapy room.

13/08/2025

Forest therapy on the weekend with the fabulous Melanie Cop leading the way. Both at a family camp in Mt Evelyn, an all ages event and an all abilities event.

At 89 years old, lovely June may have been the oldest participant we’ve ever had!

11/08/2025

An almost perfect day leading a group of counsellors, social workers, psychologists and teachers through our four hour professional workshop.

10/08/2025

This article reinforces the importance of what we do at FTV.

Prof Miles Richardson says people risk ‘extinction of experience’ in the natural world without new policies

06/08/2025

I’ve got two spots left for my “Using Forest Therapy in Your Counselling Practice” this coming Monday (11th August).

An hour of theory followed by three hours of practical experience. Suitable for counsellors, psychologists, social workers, teachers and any body in the helping professions.

Please share with anybody you think might be interested!

Link: https://www.foresttherapyvictoria.com.au/programs-and-activities/professional-development/

See you under the trees!

Matt