Tree Therapy

Depression is real. It’s not something that anyone wants or chooses, and a simple “snap out of it” is never the answer. In fact, that kind of flippant advice only makes one feel more isolated and misunderstood.

She had tried multiple forms of therapy, changed her diet, exercised, and experimented with prescription meds. There were occasional good results, some feelings of relief, but nothing ever lasted. Inevitably, the downward spiral always returned to drag her into its pit of despair.

Again and again, she saw the catch phrase while scrolling online searching for answers. Then, when the dark thoughts became almost too much to bear, she finally clicked on an ad. Tree Therapy. She certainly wasn’t about to climb a tree, but she had to exhaust all possibilities. The information was scarce without actual descriptions or personal testimonies. Was there someone to ask? A tree therapist perhaps? She was lost.

Impulsively and feeling extremely agitated, she typed into her search engine “where to go for tree therapy”. Surprisingly, a long list of suggestions appeared on her screen. Choosing the closest location, she booked a motel room and packed a weekend bag.

After a four-hour drive, she arrived at the dingy hotel feeling ridiculous as the clerk checked her in. What in the world was she doing there in the dead of the night? She unpacked her essentials in the tiny room, set her alarm, and fell into a fitful sleep. She was beyond exhausted, both physically and emotionally. If this didn’t work, she didn’t know what would become of her. She was desperate to keep those intrusive thoughts away.

Sitting in the coffee shop after only a few hours of sleep, she was bleary. The waitress refilled her coffee cup for the second time. She felt foolish, but was already so invested in the journey, so she pushed on. She asked the young lady for advice on tree therapy.

“Oh, you will love it!” she exclaimed, holding the steaming pot of coffee in midair.

“Yes, but what is it exactly?” She needed answers, some clarity.

“Follow the trail. You will know the right spot, the right tree.” The waitress looked at her innocently, making it sound so simple.

“That’s it? Where do I start?”

“Out back. Just go behind the parking lot.”

She was befuddled, but at least she had something to go on. “Okay. Thank you.” She left an overly generous tip next to the plate of uneaten eggs and was on her way.

Walking through the parking lot, she found a small clearing which led to a faint trail into what looked like thick woods. Her understanding of the local geography was limited after her drive in the middle of the night. She took a deep breath and entered.

After only a few minutes, she noticed the trail breaking off here and there giving her choices of which path to take. Maybe she should have done some research, she thought, or at least studied a map. She didn’t want to get lost in a complicated maze. Taking her chances, she continued to walk, letting her steps lead the way, following her instincts, not overthinking. The air felt different, cooler and drier, but there was something else that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Something calming.

With each step, she felt the light crunch under her feet as the leaves of yesteryear disintegrated into the soft brown earth. The green lushness surrounded her as the forest welcomed her into its world. Despite a thick ceiling of interlocking branches, rays of sunlight beamed through, casting light on the dancing leaves. Tiny pink buds sat delicately on outstretched limbs giving promise of the blossoms to come. She could almost smell the intoxicating aroma soon to be released into the air.

She was in a magical place where past, present and future lived together in harmony.

The sudden rustle made her freeze in place, fearing a large animal, or worse yet, a group of hikers threatening to disturb her solitude. Seeing neither, she smiled, assuming a small woodland creature had happened by. The caw of a bird overhead announced its presence, joining her party of invisible guests. She felt comfort knowing that she was not alone.

How much time went by she didn’t know. As the path became steeper, she felt exhilarated. Although physically challenging, she became stronger with each step, experiencing a feeling of purpose with a pull towards an unknown destination.

“This is it,” she heard herself say as she stepped onto a large smooth boulder. She gasped. A sudden break in the denseness opened a view of the spectacular mountain overlooking a crystal blue lake. Settling onto the rock, she leaned her head back and looked up at the tree she had chosen. The leaves blew this way and that, defying all sense of logic and expectation. Glancing at the surrounding trees, she was startled to find them all calm, their leaves showing no motion at all. How was her tree so full of life? The breeze seemed to swirl starting from the base of the tree and traveling up the trunk to the very top while its leaves followed their own set of rules. She felt something inside of herself begin to lift, to leave her body, to travel upwards as well.

***

Back at the coffee shop the following morning, she was pleased to find the same young waitress approach her with a pot of coffee.

“I see your tree therapy was a success,” she beamed at her while pouring the steaming beverage.

“How can you tell?” she asked, scooping her eggs onto the toast.

“It’s obvious! Your cheeks have a rosy glow, and your eyes are sparkling. You’re a completely different woman.”

She glanced around, catching a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror behind the counter. Sitting up tall, she was surprised to see the calm expression looking back. Her hair pulled back into a ponytail looked youthful rather than disheveled. Her loose cardigan sat squarely on her shoulders as opposed to its usual drooping. She did indeed look and feel transformed.

***

Before her drive back to the city, she gave the mountain one last look from the hotel parking lot. She studied the way that the leaves blew, the pockets of energy, and the random patterns. How was it possible that one tree had motion while its neighboring tree was still? She didn’t understand it, but she knew those dancing leaves were working their healing magic.