What is green therapy?
Green therapy, also known as ecotherapy, nature therapy, is a therapeutic practice that harnesses the healing power of the natural world to promote both physical and emotional well-being. This approach involves outdoor activities such as hiking, gardening, forest bathing, and animal interaction to help individuals address mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and depression.
The primary idea behind green therapy is that spending time in nature decreases stress, enhances mood, and promotes overall well-being. The therapeutic effects are related to natural sensory experiences such as the soothing sounds of birds singing, the sight of greenery, and the calming touch of a gentle breeze.
Green treatment has also been proven to lower cortisol levels, blood pressure, and heart rate, all of which alleviate stress (Jimenez et al., 2021). Green therapy offers individuals ways to heal and reconnect with themselves by embracing nature-based methods, making it a unique alternative to traditional mental health care.
What problems can green therapy treat?
Green therapy is a powerful tool for addressing various mental health challenges. It promotes relaxation, mindfulness, and emotional healing through nature-based activities and helps in managing and treating the following:
Stress and anxiety
Green therapy helps reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels and promoting relaxation. Activities such as forest bathing and nature walks offer a calming effect, helping individuals manage anxiety and achieve mental clarity. For example, one study found that urban residents who took 20-minute nature walks three times a week for four weeks experienced a 21% drop in salivary cortisol and significantly lower perceived stress compared to a control group that stayed indoors (Hunter et al., 2019).
Depression
Nature’s sensory experiences—such as the sound of birdsong, fresh air, and the sight of greenery—can significantly improve mood and foster feelings of happiness and contentment. A notable case study by Soga et al. (2017) conducted a meta-analysis of multiple horticultural therapy interventions and found that older adults with mild to moderate depression who participated in gardening programs showed substantial reductions in depressive symptoms and increased life satisfaction compared to control groups. This aligns with clinical observations that engaging with nature promotes emotional well-being and alleviates depressive states.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Nature-based therapies have shown promise in supporting individuals with PTSD. A study by Poulsen, Stigsdotter, and Refshauge (2016) explored the experiences of veterans with PTSD participating in a nature-based therapy program in Denmark. The therapy involved activities in a specially designed therapy garden, Nacadia, and the surrounding forest-like environment. Participants reported feeling a sense of safety and inclusion in these natural settings, which facilitated emotional regulation and social interaction. Over time, veterans shifted from preferring secluded areas to more open spaces, indicating increased comfort and social engagement.
Different forms of green therapy
Green therapy includes different nature-based interventions designed to support both mental and physical health. These approaches benefit individuals by activating three key therapeutic elements: social support (SS), self-efficacy (SE), and behavioral activation (BA).
As the demand for high-quality services in mental health rises, green therapy continues to show promise in delivering innovative care to individuals facing psychological issues.
Horticultural therapy
This form of green therapy uses plant-based activities such as gardening to promote emotional well-being. Often provided as group therapy, it fosters social support in a safe and interactive setting. Completing tasks like planting or weeding gives individuals a boost in self-efficacy and accomplishment.
The physical activity involved serves as gentle behavioral activation, which helps those dealing with stress or depression. Programs like these align with the broader mission of holistic health care by providing accessible services that reconnect customers with nature.
Animal-assisted interventions
These interventions involve therapeutic interaction with animals, including dogs, horses, or even small farm animals. The connection formed between an animal and an individual is often less complex than human relationships, making it ideal for enhancing social support. Participating in tasks such as grooming or feeding boosts self-efficacy, while walking or petting the animals ensures active behavioral engagement.
In some wellness settings, green therapy may be complemented by adjunct approaches, including the responsible use of cannabis products, edibles, or concentrates—under professional supervision—to aid in relaxation and trauma recovery.
Care farming
Care farming involves individuals in farm activities like milking, feeding, or herding livestock, all guided by a therapeutic farmer. The team-oriented nature of these activities cultivates strong social support, while mastering challenging farm tasks enhances self-efficacy. These physical and purposeful routines act as reliable behavioral activation.
As a green therapy method, care farming embodies the goal of delivering healing through nature and work, improving mental health services with an emphasis on quality and self-reliance.
Green exercise
Whether it's a walk in the park or cycling along a trail, green exercise merges physical activity with the restorative effects of nature. Group exercises foster social support, while learning new outdoor skills gradually increases self-efficacy. The movement itself functions as behavioral activation, improving both mood and cognition.
Wilderness therapy
Used especially with youth, wilderness therapy takes individuals out of their usual environments into the healing power of the wild. Group-based camping trips increase social support and foster teamwork. Activities like hiking, preparing campfires, and cooking in remote areas build self-efficacy and promote self-discovery.
These experiences also serve as active behavioral activation. Programs like these are increasingly incorporated into integrative health services, especially in regions like DC, where urban dwellers seek natural escapes for peace. These programs may even work alongside cannabis-informed care, when legally supported, to help individuals process trauma or manage long-term mental health issues.
Potential benefits of green therapy
If you’re looking for an effective, natural way to support your clients’ mental well-being, green therapy might be the missing piece. Whether it’s through forest bathing, community gardening, or simple outdoor mindfulness practices, spending time in green spaces offers profound therapeutic benefits.
A natural mood booster
Nature has an incredible way of improving mood quality and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Exposure to natural light and green environments increases serotonin production, which helps stabilize mood (Lambert et al., 2002). Being in nature engages the senses—through sights, sounds, and textures—which supports emotional regulation and mental wellness. Even a short time outdoors can shift a client’s state from anxious or low to calm and uplifted.
Sharpening focus and clarity
Spending time in nature isn’t just good for emotions—it’s also beneficial for cognitive function. Studies have shown that exposure to natural environments enhances memory, attention span, and problem-solving abilities (Berman, Jonides, & Kaplan, 2008). Nature also helps reduce cognitive fatigue and boosts mental clarity, particularly in individuals experiencing burnout or attention difficulties.
Strengthening social connections
Team or group-based outdoor therapy sessions, community gardening, or nature retreats create opportunities for clients to connect in relaxed, meaningful ways. Shared experiences in nature have been shown to foster interpersonal bonding, alleviate feelings of loneliness, and promote social cohesion (Arbuthnott, 2023). These interactions foster a greater sense of belonging and emotional support, critical factors in improving long-term mental health outcomes.
Main takeaways
Green therapy is a powerful, nature-based approach aimed at improving mental well-being and addressing a variety of emotional and psychological issues. By engaging in therapeutic practices such as horticultural therapy, eco-art, and animal-assisted activities, individuals can experience meaningful relief from stress, anxiety, and depression, thereby enhancing both emotional resilience and personal growth.
Whether it’s through forest bathing, nature walks, or creative expression, the mission behind green therapy is clear: delivering high-quality services that support mental health.
Green therapy aligns with the goal of providing a transformative experience, helping individuals find balance and healing. At the core of this practice is a dedicated team focused on providing a supportive menu of therapeutic options tailored to the unique needs of each individual.
From its calming effects to its community-centered values, green therapy helps reinforce mental resilience and emotional stability, making it a valuable addition to wellness strategies throughout the state.
References
Arbuthnott, K. D. (2023). Nature exposure and social health: Prosocial behavior, social cohesion, and effect pathways. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 90, 102109. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494423001573?via%3Dihub
Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207–1212. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x
Hunter, M. R., Gillespie, B. W., & Chen, S. Y. (2019). Urban nature experiences reduce stress in the context of daily life based on salivary cortisol. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 722.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00722
Jimenez, M. P. (2021). Associations between nature exposure and health: A review of the evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094790
Lambert, G. W., Reid, C., Kaye, D. M., Jennings, G. L., & Esler, M. D. (2002). Effect of sunlight and season on serotonin turnover in the brain. The Lancet, 360(9348), 1840–1842. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(02)11737-5/abstract
Soga, M., Gaston, K. J., & Yamaura, Y. (2017). Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine Reports, 5, 92–99. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335516301401?via%3Dihub
Poulsen, D. V., Stigsdotter, U. K., & Refshauge, A. D. (2016). How do veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder experience nature-based therapy? A qualitative study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(7), 652. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5193293/
Commonly asked questions
