Beyond the forest: measuring well-being and applying Forest Therapy to social work interventions

This content analysis examines the impact of Forest Therapy (FT) on well-being across 52 empirical and conceptual articles published from 2000–2026. Findings indicate that FT may contribute to reduced stress, improved cognitive function, enhanced immune activity, and better emotional regulation. However, a major gap in the literature is the absence of standardised measures of well-being. Five recurring dimensions – physiological, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual – emerged as a potential framework for assessing FT’s effects. Methodological limitations, including small samples and few randomised controlled trials, constrain causal interpretation. This review highlights the need for more rigorous research designs to validate FT’s therapeutic potential. Implications for social work include integrating FT through green prescriptions and technology-assisted platforms (e.g. TreeQuility) to expand access and address mental health disparities. FT’s accessibility and low cost support policies promoting its use in community and clinical settings. Future research should refine well-being measures to strengthen FT’s evidence-base within social work practice.