What is Certified Forest Therapy Guide Training?

This six-month training begins with a week-long immersion, which is followed by an at home field practicum consisting of a series of structured assignments completed over six months. During the practicum trainees are supported by mentoring via phone or Zoom and by monthly group conference calls with other participants in their cohort. Completion of a final project is required for certification as a Certified Forest Therapy Guide (CFTG).

The Association’s Forest Therapy Guide training draws on the latest medical research, new developments in the field of nature connection, and ancient traditions of mindfulness and wellness promotion. In this training you will learn skills that are applicable in any forest ecosystem or bioregion. They can be adapted to other natural settings besides forests, and are also effective in human-built environments such as city parks and botanic gardens. They can be readily integrated with health promotion, psychotherapy, social work, recreation, nature education, employee wellness programs, conservation efforts and many other specialties.

In this training, you will learn:

• The Standard Sequence of Guided Forest Therapy Walks
• Professional standards and competencies: what a Forest Therapy Guide should know and be able to do
• The pedagogy and fundamentals of nature connection
• Nature and forest therapy research and effects on health care and well-being
• Our framework for the Way of the Guide, wisdom on the inner aspects of the art gained through decades of experience
• The leadership skills and style of the Guide archetype
• Creating space for others to find their own authentic nature connection
• Accelerating connection to deep mindfulness and bodyfulness through simple sensory invitations
• What makes a good setting for forest therapy
• How to facilitate restorative human connection through storytelling and witnessing
• Our theoretical framework of deep nature connection through embodiment, liminality, reciprocity and relationship
• Sequencing forest therapy invitations for maximum impact and benefit
• Expressive arts activities for forest therapy
• Somatic techniques for embodied awareness
• Our aim is simple: to train competent guides. However, many participants report that this training profoundly affects many aspects of their lives.

Tuition for the six-month Guide Training and Certification Program is $3,570 USD. This includes the week-long intensive training, six months of mentored practicum, and one year of membership to the Association which includes a public directory profile with access to a member only website of resources to deepen and support a guide’s practice. It does not include travel, lodging, ground transportation, or meals. Full tuition must be paid before the start of training.

New Early Bird Tuition for 2020

The Early Bird rate is $3,170 USD and is available up to 6 months before the start of the training. Payment must be received in full by the early bird deadline, or the regular tuition rate will apply.
Early Bird Special for 2020 trainings that begin before June, 2020. Register and pay in full by January 1, 2020 and receive the early bird rate.