About Me
About Me
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Hello! I'm Hsuan Hsieh, originally from Taiwan, and currently a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (PRTM) at Clemson University. I am a member of the Park Solutions Lab (PSL) and a research affiliate of the Virtual Reality and Nature Lab (VRN Lab).
Hello! I'm Hsuan Hsieh, originally from Taiwan, and currently a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (PRTM) at Clemson University. I am a member of the Park Solutions Lab (PSL) and a research affiliate of the Virtual Reality and Nature Lab (VRN Lab).
My interdisciplinary research connects forestry, outdoor recreation, environmental psychology, and public health to investigate how nature promotes human health and well-being.
My interdisciplinary research connects forestry, outdoor recreation, environmental psychology, and public health to investigate how nature promotes human health and well-being.
I am also a certified forest therapy guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) in the United States, as well as a certified forest therapist and supervisor in Taiwan. I am passionate about bridging scientific research and professional practice through forest therapy, teaching, and community engagement.
I am also a certified forest therapy guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) in the United States, as well as a certified forest therapist and supervisor in Taiwan. I am passionate about bridging scientific research and professional practice through forest therapy, teaching, and community engagement.
I am also the Co-Founder and Education & Outreach Lead of Clemson Nature Rx, a campus initiative promoting student well-being through nature-based experiences. Through my REI-funded research project, Clemson became part of the Campus Nature Rx Network, connecting our university with a broader community advancing nature-based health initiatives.
I am also the Co-Founder and Education & Outreach Lead of Clemson Nature Rx, a campus initiative promoting student well-being through nature-based experiences. Through my REI-funded research project, Clemson became part of the Campus Nature Rx Network, connecting our university with a broader community advancing nature-based health initiatives.
About My Research
About My Research
My interdisciplinary research examines how natural environments, outdoor recreation, and nature-based interventions contribute to human health and well-being.
My interdisciplinary research examines how natural environments, outdoor recreation, and nature-based interventions contribute to human health and well-being.
Drawing on perspectives from forestry, parks and recreation, environmental psychology, and public health, I investigate the psychological, cognitive, physiological, and social benefits of nature-based experiences. My work also explores how these interventions, particularly forest therapy (forest bathing), can be designed, implemented, and evaluated to support diverse populations.
Drawing on perspectives from forestry, parks and recreation, environmental psychology, and public health, I investigate the psychological, cognitive, physiological, and social benefits of nature-based experiences. My work also explores how these interventions, particularly forest therapy (forest bathing), can be designed, implemented, and evaluated to support diverse populations.
Through quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research, I aim to bridge scientific evidence, professional practice, and environmental management to promote healthier individuals and communities.
Through quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research, I aim to bridge scientific evidence, professional practice, and environmental management to promote healthier individuals and communities.
Nature & Human Health
Nature & Human Health
Exploring how nature-based experiences influence psychological, cognitive, physiological, and social well-being.
Forest Therapy & Interventions
Forest Therapy & Interventions
Studying intervention design, practitioner training, implementation, and health outcomes.
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Examining visitor experiences and recreation management practices that support meaningful engagement with nature.
Featured Research Projects
Featured Research Projects
Clemson Nature Rx: Student Well-Being
Clemson Nature Rx: Student Well-Being
Principal Investigator | Clemson University
Principal Investigator of an REI-supported project evaluating how forest therapy can promote psychological well-being, stress recovery, and nature connectedness among college students.
Forest Therapy for Cognitive and Mental Health in Older Adults
Forest Therapy for Cognitive and Mental Health in Older Adults
Research Assistant, Intervention Development | National Taiwan University
Developed and implemented a 12-week forest therapy intervention for older adults, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to evaluate cognitive and mental health outcomes.
Forest Therapy Implementation Model: Training, Practice, and Outcomes
Doctoral Researcher | Clemson University
Forest Therapy Implementation Model: Training, Practice, and Outcomes
Doctoral Researcher | Clemson University
Developing an integrative framework linking forest therapy practitioner training, intervention implementation, and participant outcomes to advance evidence-based practice.
Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Use Research
Graduate Research Assistant | Clemson University
Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Use Research
Graduate Research Assistant | Clemson University
Conducted visitor surveys, coordinated field data collection, analyzed visitor use data, and authored the comprehensive technical report to support evidence-based visitor use management and decision-making at Joshua Tree National Park.
Selected Publications
Selected scholarly work on forest therapy, nature-based interventions, and human well-being.
Selected Publications
Selected scholarly work on forest therapy, nature-based interventions, and human well-being.
PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLE
PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLE
Beyond restorative benefits: Evaluating the effect of forest therapy on creativity
Beyond restorative benefits: Evaluating the effect of forest therapy on creativity
Yu, C. P. S., & Hsieh, H. (2020) · Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
PUBLISHED CONFERENCE ABSTRACT · 2026
PUBLISHED CONFERENCE ABSTRACT · 2026
Forest therapy as a preventive health intervention: Evidence from a Campus Nature Rx program
Forest therapy as a preventive health intervention: Evidence from a Campus Nature Rx program
Hsieh, H., & Brownlee, M. T. J. · ISFT Congress 2026
PUBLISHED CONFERENCE ABSTRACT · 2025
PUBLISHED CONFERENCE ABSTRACT · 2025
Evaluating forest therapy and mindfulness practices in higher education: Impacts on college student well-being
Evaluating forest therapy and mindfulness practices in higher education: Impacts on college student well-being
Hsieh, H. · 2nd International Conference on Forest Therapy
Media Coverage & Research Highlights
Media Coverage & Research Highlights
Natural Healing
Natural Healing
Clemson World | 2025
Clemson World | 2025
Featured researcher spotlight exploring my journey in forest therapy, interdisciplinary research, and campus nature-based health initiatives.
Advancing Nature-Based Health Research
Advancing Nature-Based Health Research
Clemson News | 2024
Clemson News | 2024
Coverage of REI Cooperative Action Fund-supported research, including my $10,000 project evaluating forest therapy and student well-being.
Campus Nature Rx: Unlocking Student Well-Being Through Forest Therapy
Campus Nature Rx: Unlocking Student Well-Being Through Forest Therapy
Research Communication Video | 2025
Research Communication Video | 2025
Third-place award-winning video from Clemson University's iGRADS Research Communication Competition, introducing my research on forest therapy in higher education.
Forest Therapy Certifications & Professional Practice
Forest Therapy Certifications & Professional Practice
Certified Forest Therapy Guide
Certified Forest Therapy Guide
Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT), United States
2025–Present
Certified Forest Therapist & Supervisor
Certified Forest Therapist & Supervisor
Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Taiwan
2022–Present
Certified Wilderness First Aid
Certified Wilderness First Aid
WildMed Institute for Wilderness & Emergency Medicine
2025–Present
Certified Mental Health First Responder
Certified Mental Health First Responder
WildMed Institute for Wilderness & Emergency Medicine
2025–Present
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