Forest Therapy Victoria

26/12/2025

A lazy Boxing Day packing away the Christmas decorations, and then hanging with this little guy while I watered the garden.

16/12/2025

I debated whether to post this or not.

I’d planned to do a “week before Christmas” promo of the new Forest Therapy Journal and the Forest Therapy Gift Vouchers.

But, it didn’t feel right in our collective grief.

But then, I didn’t want evil to stop us living normal life. Following our dreams. Expressing love. Being kind.

So I’m posting this not because I want a sale. But because I want normal.

If you’d like to purchase the journal, I’ll express post it this week for the cost of normal postage. You can pick up from me if you’re close by.

Both versions are available here: https://www.foresttherapyvictoria.com.au/the-forest-therapy-journal/

And the vouchers are available on the website too. Give the gift of time in nature to slow down and breathe.

To you reading this, I hope there is peace in your day today.

Matt

14/12/2025

Our world feels like an awful and unsafe place this morning.

The enormous waves of trauma and grief can be paralysing.

Today is a day to be extra kind to yourself.

And to not feel guilty about it.

Your central nervous system will be in overdrive. It will be hard to focus on things. You will look for answers to the craziness and feel drawn to social media and news feeds.

Be extra kind to yourself.

Turn off the screens.

Put on some nice music.

Go for a walk.

Smell a flower.

Hug somebody you love.

Call a friend.

Have a donut.

I won’t be posting any news articles or images about what happened in Bondi here. If you need a chat or debrief, feel free to reach out.

I firmly believe that kind and sensitive people will change the world. Today I’m reminded just how much the world needs to change.

Love to all.

Matt

14/12/2025

Leading a Forest Therapy event this afternoon with Forest Therapy Victoria’s lead guide, Laura.

Today the trees at Grant’s Picnic Ground in the Dandenongs hosted us. The time together was calming with a touch of the profound The group were guide through a series of activities designed to slow down and open up. Sometimes thats easier said than done. But the trees keep us safe.

Remember that vouchers and the journal make great Christmas gifts. Both are available in the website.

And keep an eye out for a brand new nature based kids program being launched with Laura at the helm in 2026.

It’s a good time to be outside!

08/12/2025

Currently outside, halfway through the last “Using Forest Therapy in your Therapeutic Practice” workshop for 2025. This is a professional development course aimed to equip people in the helping professions to use nature based interventions for improved heath outcomes with their clients. Dates for next years program will be posted on the website in the next week or so. I hope you can join us!

07/12/2025

Perfect morning for slowing down and connecting with a group of people wanting to learn about using nature for their wellbeing.

We had the mountain to ourselves.

It was perfectly still.

The bird song was glorious.

And afterwards was the deep breath out.

Forest Therapy Victoria still has some public events listed for December and new dates, locations - and guides - will be on the website this week.

Don’t forget the journal and Forest Therapy gift vouchers can make great Christmas gifts!

Website: https://www.foresttherapyvictoria.com.au/

See you under the trees!

05/12/2025

01/12/2025

The Forest Therapy Journal is a month old now.

It’s always a little surreal seeing a project that has been so close to your heart for such a long time, suddenly become a reality.

The feedback has been wonderful so far, as has been the creative ways that people have been using it.

A group of friends have purchased a copy each and are doing the year in nature together. Not always physically together to do the activities, but to share their experiences of nature when they catch up for coffee etc.

A workplace has purchased copies for every employee to encourage a healthier green/screen balance.

Several counsellors and psychologists have added it to their resource shelves and use some of the ideas from the journal on outdoor sessions with clients.

It’s been a popular Christmas gift.

And, of course, many people have bought it for themselves as a self-care tool for the coming year.

The first edition of both versions was a limited print run and if the current trend continues we are likely to sell out in the next 2-3 weeks. More will become available in the new year, but if you’re hoping to get it as a gift for somebody, my suggestion would be to get onto it quickly!

To read more about the journal or to purchase, visit https://www.foresttherapyvictoria.com.au/the-forest-therapy-journal/

28/11/2025

It’s two days until Summer here in Melbourne.

It’s cold and wet.

We had giant hail stones this week.

Winds strong enough to blow my house to Oz.

Looking out the window, you’d swear it was Winter.

But, in a rare moment of sunshine, the paper daisies were smiling.

A reminder that everything will be ok.

24/11/2025

the trees tell me everything.

22/11/2025

Our final Zorali Outdoor Club Forest Therapy event was held this morning at Eagles Nest in the Dandenongs.

We extended our usual three hour program out to five hours and included a gentle 3km walk through the majestic tree fern gully. It’s hard to describe what the bush was like, but ‘magic’ comes close.

Afterwards we gathered for tea and snacks, with the consensus being that the slower pace combined with the mindful, sensory and creative activities brought a new level of calm.

We’re working on some dates for 2026 as well as some additional locations. We hope to see you under the trees!

Wishing everybody a safe and peaceful holiday season.

Matt and the team from Forest Therapy Victoria.

17/11/2025

Out scouting locations for some upcoming Forest Therapy corporate team days. I haven’t been to the Organ Pipes National Park since I was a child - an oasis squished between two freeways and the airport. Forest Therapy is all but booked out for team days for the rest of this year, but booking for 2026 are open. Dates for public events in 2026 are soon to be announced!