FAQs
Enrolling into one of INFTA’s innovative and professional training courses is easy and can be done from anywhere in the world, at any time.
We keep this process smooth, easy and safe for you. Still, sometimes our applicants have questions which, rightly, they put forward to our team to answer. To save time for you sending us an extra email, we have compiled for you the most common questions and facts about our training courses.
Please feel free to browse our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below. Most likely, they will answer most of your questions. If you still have any specific question regarding our training options, please feel free to contact us.
Forest Therapy Foundation
What are the specifics of this introductory course?
This course is for self-study and is self-paced with no time limit; estimated total time to complete the course: 4-6 weeks part-time, about 5-10 hours per week; language of study: English only.
When should I enrol in this introductory course?
We recommend this course as a first step if you want to find out more about Forest Therapy as an Allied Health profession. Enrolling in this course is fairly risk free as you get a voucher of AUD 500. This can later be used when signing up to become an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide (see below).
Do I get a certificate for taking part in this course?
Yes, upon successful completion you will obtain the INFTA Certificate of Completion in digital format.
Is this certificate equivalent to becoming an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide or INFTA-Certified Forest Tourist Guide?
No. This Certificate does not allow you to practice as an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide or INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Tourist Guide.
How does the voucher work when I enrol in this course?
When you enrol in this course you get a voucher of AUD 500 which you can use if you decide to complete the full-fledged, six-months training to become an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide. The voucher is valid for two years within which you need to enrol in the six-months INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide training.
Forest Therapy Guide (FTG) Training
For whom is the FTG training suited?
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 well-being
- 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
INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guides use the training to start or expand their own business. They 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
What makes INFTA’s training of FTGs so effective?
INFTA offers a comprehensive FTG training program based on the International Core Curriculum of Forest Therapy (ICCFT). The training covers the science behind this Public health practice, and provides the skills and competence to conduct safe and effective Forest Therapy walks. The program consists of a six-months blended training course. This is complemented by an optional five-day, in-person training which guarantees international certification of FTGs. INFTA’s professional training specializes in key competencies for guiding Forest Therapy walks. It is grounded in nature connection practices, appropriate pedagogy and didactics, scientific underpinnings and environmental stewardship. Also, employability of INFTA-Certified and Accredited FTGs defines how we conduct our training.
What are the specifics of this training course?
This online-based, mentored and supervised professional training course is designed to qualify you as INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide. It is to be completed within six month; the maximum allowed time to complete is 12 months; estimated time requirements per week: about 8-12 hours; languages of study available: English or German.
There are various pathways in becoming an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide but what are the differences?
- you can start your training anywhere, at any time in the world by getting access to the innovative online-based INFTA Learning Management System to do complete your practicum; this practicum is mentored and supervised
- this option is the same as 1. above but includes an introductory, face-to-face workshop which is offered in different countries at different locations around the world; the introductory workshop is ideal for those applicants who seek to learn more about how Forest Therapy sessions are conducted in practice
Thus, the fees for Option 1 are less than for Option 2.
Can you tell me more about INFTA’s modularized Forest Therapy training options?
Whether you start with an introductory face-to-face workshop (offered, for example, regularly in Australia) is your free choice; this extra option is not compulsory.
Starting with an introductory face-to-face workshop has the advantage of having a better understanding of what Forest Therapy sessions entail, how they are prepared and conducted; during each introductory workshop applicants are tasked to prepare their first guided Public Forest Therapy session, supervised, of course, by our lecturers and trainers; the Public Forest Therapy event, in turn, is free for the Public.
Applicants who live far away or come from countries in which such opportunity is currently not available, will embark on the online-based, six-months supervised and mentored practicum straight away; the contents of the six-months practicum in the INFTA Learning Management System is the same – whether you prefer to attend an introductory workshop or not. Even if you start with the online-based FTG training straight away, you are eligible to join any future introductory face-to-face workshop to gain more practical experience.
Due to the extended teaching, personalized training and workshop facilities made available during an introductory workshop, the costs are a bit higher compared to starting straight away with the six-months online-based practicum.
Is this training course recognized?
Do I get a certificate at the end of this course?
Yes, upon successful completion you will obtain the INFTA Certificate of Achievement in digital format qualifying you as INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide.
Will there be a graduation ceremony?
Yes, from time to time, INFTA conducts formal graduation ceremonies for its recently qualified INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guides. The next graduation ceremony is planned to take place in 2026 in Australia.
Do I become a member of INFTA when I graduate?
Yes, all INFTA-Certified and Accredited Forest Therapy Guides are members of INFTA. Membership ceases when FTGs are not accredited.
How long does my accreditation with INFTA last?
Depending on when you complete your training and become an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide, you are entitled to a maximum of six months FREE accreditation with INFTA. Afterwards, accreditation is renewable annually. At present, the monthly accreditation fee is AUD 10 for which you will be invoiced annually. You can only be accredited with INFTA when you fulfill all relevant requirements including demonstrating Continuous Professional Development.
What happens when I do not finish the training in time?
Forest Therapy Tourist Guide (FTTG) Training
For whom is the FTTG training suited?
FTTG training is best suited for people who are:
- passionate about nature and its healing potential
- interested in helping tourists to connect with nature and improve their health & 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 tourists
Typically, INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Tourist Guides use the training to:
- collaborate with hotels and resorts to offer customized Forest Therapy sessions to tourists
- expand existing health & wellbeing tourism by offering Forest Therapy as an additional, innovative service
- strengthen the local economy and community when offering guided Forest Therapy sessions for eco-tourists
What makes INFTA’s training of FTTGs so effective?
INFTA offers a comprehensive FTTG training program based on the International Core Curriculum of Forest Therapy (ICCFT). The training covers the science behind this sustainable health & wellbeing practice, and provides the skills and competencies to conduct safe and effective Forest Therapy walks. The program consists of a three-months blended training course. This is complemented by an optional introductory in-person training which guarantees international certification of FTTGs. INFTA’s professional training is grounded in nature connection practices, appropriate pedagogy and didactics, scientific underpinnings and environmental stewardship. Also, employability of INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Tourist Guides is a main focus of the training.
What are the specifics of this training course?
This online-based, mentored and supervised professional training course is designed to qualify you as INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Tourist Guide. It is to be completed within three month; the maximum allowed time to complete is six months; estimated time requirements per week: about 8-12 hours; the language of instruction is English.
Is this training course recognized?
Do I get a certificate at the end of this course?
Yes, upon successful completion you will obtain the INFTA Certificate of Achievement in digital format qualifying you as INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Tourist Guide.
Will there be a graduation ceremony?
Yes, from time to time, INFTA conducts formal graduation ceremonies for its recently qualified INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Tourist Guides. The next graduation ceremony is planned to take place in 2026 in Australia.
Do I become a member of INFTA when I graduate?
Yes, all INFTA-Certified and Accredited Forest Therapy Tourist Guides are members of INFTA. Membership ceases when Forest Therapy Guides are not accredited.
How long does my accreditation with INFTA last?
Depending on when you complete your training and become an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Tourist Guide, you are entitled to a maximum of six months FREE accreditation with INFTA. Afterwards, accreditation is renewable annually. At present, the monthly accreditation fee is AUD 10 for which you will be invoiced annually. You can only be accredited with INFTA when you fulfill all relevant requirements including demonstrating Continuous Professional Development.
What happens when I do not finish the training in time?
Should you not be able to finish your practicum within the maximum time allowed (i.e., six months), your access to the online learning platform – the INFTA Learning Management System – will terminate automatically. However, you may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning if you wish to continue your training at a later time.
Concessions & Scholarships
Does INFTA offer any scholarships?
No, INFTA does not offer any scholarships at present.
Is there a possibility to get a concession for the training fees?
While INFTA and its Accredited Training Providers offer a range of concessions for conducting Forest Therapy info sessions and Forest Therapy walks for the Public and selected charities and not-for-profit organisations, concessionary training rates are, typically, only offered to organisations, government stakeholders and private companies when training several of their staff at the same time.