Matija Samec

I am a certified forest therapy practitioner, forest bath guide, Wild Blue trainer and supervised integrative therapy specialist (EAG-FPI). I was born and raised in Ljubljana, where I loved exploring the forests of Mostec, Rožnik and the Toški Čelo area, but my fondest and earliest memories of spending time in nature are certainly from Štajerska, where I spent a lot of time with my family as a child. Years ago, my (now) wife and I decided to move out of the city and continue our life together in a new environment. In 2012, we planted our roots in Gorenjska, where today, together with our two children, we enjoy the pulse of the local forests, waters and community.

How did the path lead me to forest therapy? Many moons ago, I began my studies in another form of relationships, namely in the field of marketing communication and public relations. Soon, life, in search of a deeper understanding of myself, the world and interpersonal relationships, led me to the world and study of psychotherapy. During my specialization in integrative therapy under the EAG-FPI program, I discovered green and forest therapy – a method that combines nature, health and well-being. The literature confirmed my long-standing observations about the healing power of nature, so after 2023, I responded to its call and further trained in working with people in the wilderness in the international environment of the Forest Therapy Hub, obtaining the titles of certified forest bath guide and certified forest therapy practitioner. To ensure the safety of the participants in my programs, I completed additional courses in risk management in natural environments, providing psychological first aid in crisis situations, and a 45-hour first aid course with the Slovenian Red Cross, which earned me the title of first aid paramedic. In 2025, I upgraded my knowledge with Wild Blue trainer training with Manuela Renzi (Forest Therapy Hub), which gave me additional skills for working with water in a natural environment.

I have many passions and love to learn, thus enriching my “little bag of skills”. This is reflected in the diversity of my interests and areas of activity. In addition to working with people, I love to create, especially with various natural materials. Creating is an important form of meditation for me and I like to try out different creative media. I am very happy when I bring an idea from a mental concept to a tangible form in material. When I can take something from my imagination and experience it in reality. In the past years, I have experimented a lot with creation and developed a bunch of unique products, such as yantrovki, the Emona buildable model, an educational puzzle about the seasons, wooden spinning tops, decorative wooden ghosts and a magnetopult – a mini catapult powered by magnet. I see creative expression as an invaluable part of a person and I regularly include it in my work with people.


My passion for exploring the relationship between humans and nature led me to create Forest Stream. With it, I want to inform the public about the importance of a relationship with nature and offer people accessible and high-quality programs for strengthening health and well-being with the help of nature. I prepare trainings and courses with which I want to spread the skills of connecting with nature among other professionals and everyone who recognizes the role and potential of quality contact with nature and all the elements and surprises it offers. With these tools, I strive to address the issue of mental health in the most down-to-earth way possible, with a sensitive awareness of the body and the world in which it is embedded. I enjoy collaborating with other professionals in the field of working with people and looking for creative solutions to adapt my techniques to people with special needs and other vulnerable groups.

For years, I have been growing various medicinal herbs in my home garden, and in 2024 I joined the Kranj Horticultural Society, where I am mainly active in the renovation of the horticultural garden and pavilion and the design of a program that would transform the garden into a therapeutic green oasis in the middle of the city. Over the past two years, I have conducted several workshops in the garden on the topic of connecting with nature, which have received very positive feedback from the participants, confirming the concept and potential of this project. I invite everyone who is willing to contribute their knowledge, time and effort to the realization of this vision, in which the hidden garden with its charms supports the local community and all visitors who seek peace and contact with the living world, to participate in the society.

I offer:

Regular locations of forest baths and therapeutic programs:

I also conduct forest baths, workshops, and other custom events at any location of the client’s choosing, subject to prior coordination and/or site inspection.

Contact:

GOZDNI TOK

www.gozdnitok.si

info@gozdnitok.si

https://www.instagram.com/matija_samec

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572475723263

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