Sarah Abu-Absi, Mind-Body Coach + Forest Therapy Guide

01/05/2026

Fireside Forest Therapy: Mindfulness in Winter

Winter invites us to slow down. In this forest therapy session, we’ll start by a crackling fire inside the Ecology Center, then move outside to experience what it feels like to be truly present outside, with nature, without our judging or analytical minds leading the way.

We can take warming breaks inside by the fire as needed, so we will go ahead rain in any weather.

Science shows that forest therapy boosts immunity, creativity, focus, and feelings of connection.

The session is guided, relaxed, and adaptable to everyone’s comfort level. Dress warmly and come ready to reconnect with nature and yourself.

Register via Evanston Parks and Rec: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/cityofevanston/shop/activities/6402949

Event was listed as "Winter Wellness Walk" and may not have been changed yet to reflect the accurate title. DM or email me if you have a hard time registering.

12/03/2025

There is magic and wisdom and beauty in all seasons.

Private forest therapy
12.3.25
Lake County, IL

11/25/2025

11/19/2025

Noticing the space between the thoughts.
Forest therapy with At Ease program for Veterans.
11.19.25
Ryerson Woods
Lake County, IL

11/19/2025

Thanks to and Josh for highlighting in their recent newsletter. Sharing it here and continued in the comments.

Also — this Thursday SUM is hosting a happy hour fundraiser at — DM me for the RSVP link if Google doesn’t do the trick.

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Forest therapy is a key element of many SUM experiences, and most often that means a collaboration with Sarah Abu-Absi of That Forest Feeling. Sarah started her practice right around the same time that SUM was established. SUM’’s Executive Director Josh Ellis recently had a chance to talk with Sarah about our intertwined journeys.

Josh: We’re both several years into this - finding new and different ways to help people benefit from time outside. How has your understanding of the need for practices like forest therapy changed over the years you’ve been guiding?

Sarah: When I started guiding we were on the tail end of the pandemic, people were eager to spend time outside and had more free time. Now people seem busier than ever. This makes it harder for people to find time to show up for forest therapy; when they do their minds tend to be quite active and their stress levels high.

Continued in comments ….

11/17/2025

Remembering we are all connected
We don’t have to do it alone

11.16.25
Women Veterans and Family Retreat
Forest therapy

11/15/2025

Forest therapy 11.15.25
Evanston, IL

11/13/2025

Could barely see them with the naked eye but it was still cool to be with a bunch of people down by the lake in the dark staring at the sky. ✨

11/07/2025

There is still beauty in the world.

If you need to be reminded of that too, come join me Saturday at 10am for forest therapy at the Ecology Center / Ladd Arboretum.

Come for a reprieve from dealing with all the hard stuff and stay for the PEAK FALL COLORS.

For balancing your nervous system,
For finding a pause between input and response,
For learning from the wisdom of the Earth.

So you can go back to doing all the things the world need you to do with more clarity and peace.

Sign up via website or by calling them at 847.448.8256.

11/05/2025

It’s peak fall colors ya’ll and you too can book a private forest therapy session 24 hours in advance just like this stranger did this week — fitting a 90 minute session in their busy week amid working from home and shuffling kids around.

You too can touch grass (or leaves as the case may be), and let your body and nervous system rest in the arms of the Earth for a while.

10/31/2025

This might be my last public forest therapy of the season. (Hit me up for private or organizational sessions, though!)

Come fortify yourself so you can continue the good work, community care, resistance, Earth tending, and straight up surviving so many of you are doing so valiantly.

Register thru

Hope to see you 🍂🍁🤎

10/29/2025

I had the privilege to guide a group of people here at earlier this week.

One person shared after the guided sensory meditation that they found themselves saying like:

“This is my home. I am home.”

Even though their parents aren’t from here and they might have other reasons to feel excluded or different.

Everyone belongs in nature. Everyone belongs where they are.

It’s easy to forget that, or to think it but not *feel* it in your bones.

A big reason I keep guiding forest therapy, even when it feels against the grain or an uphill journey, is to help people feel in their body and bones that THEY BELONG. In nature. On Earth. In this moment, wherever you are.

You belong.

You are home.