Amanda Chapman

Finding Guidance Beyond the Visible

Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, Heartmath Practitioner, Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapist, and Life Coach Specializing in Spiritual Direction - Speaker

Healing Conversation #1381

— In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to become disconnected—from ourselves, from one another, and from the natural world. We're constantly chasing the next task, the next notification, the next destination, often forgetting that some of life's greatest healing happens when we simply slow down and pay attention.

But what if one of the most powerful practices for reducing stress, restoring mental clarity, and reconnecting with a deeper sense of peace wasn't another productivity hack—but simply spending intentional time among the treesToday, we're exploring the beautiful practice of forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku—a gentle invitation to step away from the noise of everyday life and immerse ourselves in nature through our senses. We'll talk about the growing science behind this practice, how it supports our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, and why slowing down may be one of the most profound pathways to joy.

Valeria sits with Amanda Chapman   — She has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 1997 and has worked with people from all walks of life and ages from diverse backgrounds. 

Amanda is also a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy; a Certified Heart Math Practitioner; a Certified Mindfulness-Based Ecotherapist; and a Certified Life Coach, with a specialty in Spiritual Direction.

Amanda currently offers both counseling and nature-based services through a branch of Elizabethton Counseling and Arts Center, located at Shakti in the Mountains, in Johnson City, Tennessee. 

Within her practice, Amanda specializes in what she calls Psycho-Spiritual Counseling, a blend of traditional psychotherapy or “talk therapy”, outdoor or nature connection experiences, and spiritual direction or guidance. In addition to her counseling services, Amanda offers seasonal forest bathing experiences, which are guided nature walks, inspired by the Japanese practice of “shinrin-yoku,” an outdoor practice that opens doors for physical and mental system regulation and relaxation and a reconnection to Mother Earth. 

Amanda also offers workshops and facilitates community talks on various subjects, such as Spiritual Awakenings, How to Age with Grace and Gusto, the Hidden Powers of the Highly Sensitive Person, Animal Communication, and Embracing the Inner Child. She also hosts and guides a local monthly group that explores the nature of reality and spirituality. 

Amanda’s personal story of spiritual awakening will be coming out in a soon-to-be published nonfiction anthology, What Happened Next: Stories of Life Altering Encounters, and she is currently working on her memoir. 

Amanda is a proud native of her community and loves sharing the magic of what nature and spirit can do for our hearts, bodies, and minds. When not working, Amanda can be found spending time with her granddaughter or just sitting in silence in her backyard woods, listening to the birds and watching the deer and squirrels, and the occasional neighborhood bear. 

Learn more about Amanda Chapman and her work!