We Are Nature
A Special Forest Therapy Experience for Body Acceptance
Sunday, October 18th | 2-4:30PM
As the leaves begin to change, the forest reminds us that there is beauty in every season, every shape, and every stage of life.
Join Jess Fry of EmBODY Confidence and Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Shannon Zimmerman, for a special fall forest therapy experience centered around body acceptance, self-compassion, and seeing yourself through a softer lens.
Together, we'll slow down and immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds, textures, and sensations of nature.
Through guided forest therapy invitations, meditation, reflection, and creative activity, we'll explore the ways we so easily admire the uniqueness of a tree, the texture of bark, the changing colors of the leaves, or the shape of a winding creek, while often struggling to offer that same curiosity and appreciation to our own bodies.
Throughout our time together, you'll be invited to notice nature through your senses, reflect on the way you see yourself, and practice meeting your body with more curiosity and compassion, appreciating all that she allows you to experience.
We'll end our walk with tea, time to journal, optional coloring and creative reflection, and space to gather with others and reflect on what you're taking with you.
No hiking experience is needed. This is a slow, sensory experience designed to help you pause, reconnect, and spend a few hours seeing yourself and nature a little differently.
Come spend a few hours surrounded by the beauty of fall and leave with a new way of seeing yourself.
We Are Nature: A Special Forest Therapy Experience for Body Acceptance
Sunday, October 18th 2026
2PM-4:30PM | $50/person
Location TBD (Lancaster County PA)
What is Forest Therapy?
Forest therapy was inspired by forest bathing (known in Japan as shinrin-yoku). The two are very similar, but the key difference is that forest bathing can be experienced solo and is a mindfulness practice that encourages people to simply spend time in nature and connect using the five senses.
Forest therapy is a more structured outdoor healing practice involving a trained or certified guide. This guide leads a low-impact walk through nature and invites participants to slow down, and experience the elements in new ways.
Because we live in such a fast-paced society, if we are lucky enough to find time to be outside, we often rush through the process. Forest therapy helps us to look around and notice the intricate details and feel more connected to the living organisms surrounding us, helping us to remember that we are nature, too.
Studies show that forest bathing can significantly improve mental and physical health by lowering stress hormones, boosting immune function, and reducing blood pressure. And when we add in the element of community and co-regulation, this becomes a one-of-a-kind healing experience.
During our time together, you'll have the opportunity to:
- Experience forest therapy through your five senses
- Connect with others in nature
- Explore how you view nature with more kindness than yourself
- Learn to offer the same gentleness you offer the trees and the flowers to yourself and your body
- Reflect on how your features are similar to those of the earth
- Offer yourself more compassion and stillness
Meet Shannon Zimmerman
Certified Forest Therapy Guide
Shannon Zimmerman is a Forest Therapy Guide certified by The Forest Therapy School. As both a seeker and a mentor, she has a passion for connecting people to the healing power of nature.
Shannon’s deeply personal journey, which includes navigating her own health challenges, led her to discover the transformative potential of mindfulness practices, including Reiki and forest therapy.
Through her guided forest therapy walks, Shannon invites participants to experience nature not just as a place to be, but as a relationship to nurture. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, she creates immersive experiences that awaken the senses and foster a deep connection with the Earth.
Whether leading private walks, small group sessions, or workplace wellness programs, Shannon offers opportunities for participants to slow down, open their hearts, and engage with the presence of nature. Her compassionate guidance creates space for reflection, creativity, and positive emotions like joy and awe.
Meet Jess Fry, LPC, ADHD-CCSP, CSTS
Licensed Therapist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Body Confidence Coach and Educator
Jess Fry is a licensed mental health therapist, coach, and the founder of EmBODY Confidence Counseling and Coaching. She specializes in supporting women navigate eating disorders, body image distress, anxiety, ADHD, and chronic self-criticism. Her work sits at the intersection of mental health, nervous system regulation, and body acceptance. Jess provides in-person therapy in Ephrata, PA, telehealth services throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and virtual coaching to clients worldwide.
Jess brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to her work. She knows firsthand what it is like to move through a world that constantly tells women, especially those in larger bodies, that they are too much, not enough, or in need of fixing. Her own healing journey includes recovery from an eating disorder, untangling body dysmorphia, and unlearning deeply ingrained cultural messages about worth, productivity, perfection and appearance. This embodied understanding allows her to guide others with nuance, safety, and deep compassion.
At the core of Jess’s work is the belief that true healing happens when people feel seen, regulated, and resourced rather than pushed or pathologized. Her approach is rooted in body acceptance, social justice, and a deep commitment to helping women reconnect with their inherent worth. Through counseling, coaching, and immersive experiences, Jess creates spaces where participants can slow down, listen inward, and practice caring for themselves in ways that are sustainable, affirming, and deeply human.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this experience for?
This forest therapy experience is for adults who are interested in nature and meeting their bodies with more compassion and kindness.
What should I bring?
Feel free to bring a water bottle and blanket to sit on for our closing gathering. All other materials will be provided to you.
What should I wear?
Please dress comfortably and in layers. Wear sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. The path will be beginner-friendly, and we will be walking at a slow, gentle pace.
Is this considered therapy?
While a licensed mental health provider will be co-leading the event, this is not a clinical therapy session. This is an educational, supportive, and wellness-focused experience. If you're currently in therapy, this event can complement that work beautifully.
How many people will be there?
This is open to 12 attendees.
What if I can't make it after purchasing a ticket?
I would be so sad if you had to miss out, but I understand that life happens! Unfortunately, due to the details that go into creating events like these, I'm not able to refund tickets. If you cannot make it, I ask that you let me know and offer your ticket to a loved one who would be able to take your spot.
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