Kristen Roman Claimed

Rooted as One. Related to All.

This phrase reflects the guiding philosophy of One Tree Forest Therapy - and a truth that founder, guide and consultant, Kristen Roman, often returns to: just as a single tree is rooted in place yet connected through a vast, unseen web beneath the soil, so too are we. Each of us is grounded in our own individual journey and inherently connected to all beings.

Following 34 years of community-focused service and leadership in policing, Kristen formally discovered the practice of Shinrin-yoku - or forest bathing - in 2024. Yet her understanding of the forest as a source of healing is lifelong, grounded in her own experience of finding refuge and restoration among the trees.

Throughout her public safety career, Kristen held a variety of roles and ranks, all connected by a central philosophy: that physical and emotional safety are branches of a more holistic sense of well-being - and that community wellness grows form the soil of individual wellness. Guided by this belief, she developed and led numerous initiatives rooted in relational care such as officer wellness programs, mental health response, peer support, crisis intervention and de-escalation training, critical incident stress management, community outreach programs, and more.

In 2018, Kristen's search for a respite from the noise of the city and the demands of a high-stress profession led her to a peaceful, 40-acre forested property about an hour north of Madison, Wisconsin. It is here - on land rich with life and quiet wisdom - that she deepened her relationship with nature. Today it is also home to One Tree Forest Therapy, where Kristen partners with the forest to offer guided walks, workplace and community retreats, and unique collaborations with other wellness practitioners. In addition to her work as a forest therapy guide, Kristen is a certified Trails, Spaces, & Places consultant working with other land owners/managers, nature centers, and all those seeking to cultivate natural spaces that align with the forest therapy practice.

Kristen's mission is simple: to create space for people to slow down, awaken their senses, and be present with nature. The forest takes care of the rest.