Forest Therapy Guide Training – 1 February 2026

A thorough and comprehensive internationally recognised course giving you all the tools, knowledge, and mentorship you need to become a practicing INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide.

Forest Therapy Guide Training

Start date: 1 February 2026
Duration: 6 months (extendable up to 12 months upon written request)
Delivery Mode: online-based, mentored and supervised with extensive practical components
Location: online (with practical components to be conducted at a suitable location of your choice); available worldwide
Qualification type: Graduate Diploma equivalent
Prerequisites: professional experience and/or tertiary or vocational qualification
Maximum participant number: 12
Language: English

Suited to:

Individuals who are ready to start a new career as a Forest Therapy Guide
Allied health professionals who wish to add Forest Therapy to their practice
NDIS providers looking to expand service offerings to participants
Aged Care providers looking to add Forest Therapy as a health program
Organisations searching for professional development opportunities for staff

Course Details

Course Outline

Extend your professional scope and become a Forest Therapy Guide (FTG) certified by and accredited with the International Nature and Forest Therapy Alliance (INFTA) (Professional Training Course Code: HLTFTG54126). INFTA-Certified FTGs perform a vital role in preventative health and/or therapeutic health.

Student Profile

INFTA’s Forest Therapy Guide training is best suited for people who are:

passionate about nature and its healing potential
interested in helping others to connect with nature and improve their wellbeing
have a strong personal connection with nature
are willing to deepen their own understanding of nature and Forest Therapy
are able to work with people from all walks of life and backgrounds
are patient, compassionate, and empathetic
are able to create a safe and supportive environment for participants

Career Path

INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guides have used the training to start or expand their own business or are, for example:

healthcare professionals, such as psychologists, therapists, counselors, or social workers
educators, such as teachers, nature guides, and environmental educators
health & wellness professionals, such as tour operators, yoga instructors, meditation teachers, or life coaches

Duration

The recommended overall duration of the INFTA FTG training is six months and comprises of:

theoretical and practical training (248 hrs)
theoretical and practical examination (8 hrs)

Introductory Workshop

Participation in an introductory in-person training workshop is optional.

Requirements

The recommended personal requirements to participate in the training are:

professional work experience and/or a tertiary or vocational degree
proficiency in reading, speaking and writing English as well as basic IT skills
skills and experience in teaching, advising or dealing with groups of people
physically, mentally and emotionally fit
interest in health, nature and environmental issues
capable of being outdoors for several hours per day
professional behaviour and ethical conduct
ability to self-manage studies, attention to detail and completing assignments on time

These requirements summarize the responsibilities of FTGs who have to be capable of leading diverse groups of people outdoors at different forested surroundings and locations. Also, a current First Aid certificate (which has to be acquired separately from other training providers as part of your Forest Therapy practicum) and adequate insurance coverage (Public Liability/Professional Indemnity) are compulsory for each FTG trainee.

Facilitation

The training is delivered by experienced mentors and lecturers (all having tertiary degrees and specialized in their subject areas; all are INFTA-Certified and Accredited Forest Therapy Guides). INFTA will assign a personal, dedicated mentor to each FTG trainee.

Recognition

INFTA’s training adheres to the International Core Curriculum for Forest Therapy (ICCFT) validated by 120+ experts from 20 countries in Europe, America, Asia and Australia in 2017. The ICCFT is the world-wide standard in Forest Therapy Guide training.

Quality Assurance

The INFTA FTG training utilizes the latest international research and focuses on the evidence-based aspects of this Public Health practice. The INFTA FTG Training is quality-controlled and monitored by Dr Dieter Kotte, INFTA’s Secretary & International Strategic Advisor, who – among other qualifications – holds a PhD in International Comparative Education from the University of Hamburg, Germany, and who serves as Honorary Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health, Deakin University.

CPD Points

Members of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) will obtain 10 OPD points for Professional Development when successfully completing this training.

CPD points for members of other professional organisations may be arranged for upon written request.

Sign me up!

If you wish to become an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide simply complete and submit the Application Form .

Please note there are only 12 exclusive training spots available for this training cohort. These are reserved in the order of applications received and accepted.

INFTA is looking forward to welcoming you to its next Forest Therapy Guide training.

six-months course duration (Professional Training Course Code: HLTFTG54126; extendable up to 12 months, free-of-charge upon written request, starting as an international training cohort 1 February 2026)
248 lessons of instruction (online training, practical exercises and tasks, feedback and mentoring sessions)
fortnightly mentor sessions (via Zoom®)
comprehensive INFTA Forest Therapy Guide training material (online instructional material, documents, images, videos, podcasts)
access to the innovative INFTA Learning Management System (INFTA LMS; structured, mentored and supervised online learning platform, accessible 24/7, all year round; unlimited usage during the practicum)
access to live discussion boards on the INFTA LMS (choose from taking part in any of the many international discussion forums)
access to the international community of practice (online and with fortnightly mentor sessions via Zoom®)
access to INFTA’s online database (containing 200+ research articles, brochures and books about Forest Therapy, biology, physiology, biochemistry, medicine, Public health and related topics)
practical and theoretical exams (geared to make your learning curve as successful as possible)
INFTA Forest Therapy Guide Training Certificate (upon successful completion of the course)
FREE accreditation with INFTA (for a period of six months after successful completion of the Forest Therapy Guide Training within six months)

The specially reduced fee for the six-months INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide Training (Professional Training Course Code: HLTFTG54126) amounts to only US$ 2,999 (incl. GST plus Stripe® charges) and covers all deliverables listed. You can pay this fee upfront simply via Stripe® using your credit card. Once your payment is credited to our account, you will receive your login credentials for INFTA’s Learning Management System by 15 January 2026. Also, your dedicated mentor will then be assigned to you so that you can to start your training and practicum right away in the New Year – wherever you are in the world!

Fees do not cover insurance or any third-party certificates to be obtained. Once you have accessed the INFTA Learning Management System, fees are not reimbursable. Should you wish to cancel your application after you have made your payment, this incurs a cancellation fee of US$ 299. Any such cancellation has to be made in written. Please refer to our disclaimer, privacy policy and terms and conditions.

Forest Therapy Guide Training – 1 February 2026

Forest Therapy Guide Training – 1 February 2026

Forest Therapy Guide Training – 1 February 2026