What is IFT?
The Institute of Forest Therapy (IFT) is the INFTA-Accredited Training Provider for Australia, Asia and the Americas. IFT offers a range of professional training options and services to a wide range of individual, corporate, organizational and governmental clients.
Accessible and Supportive
Learn from professional Forest Therapy Guides who practice
Based on existing and evolving evidence
On successful completion of the six-months INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide training, learners will be able to:
- gain a thorough understanding of Forest Therapy as an evidence-based Public health practice
- plan, manage and guide high-quality Forest Therapy sessions in accordance with international standards
- recognize and integrate core skills and approaches required to conduct Forest Therapy sessions
- understand the different ways in which humans experience and relate to natural environments
- support participants to become more nature-connected and develop environmental awareness
- gain an internationally recognized qualification to world-wide standards and be eligible for membership with INFTA
- participate in Continuous Professional Development which is current and relevant to the practice
INFTA Certified
INFTA sets the standards for and organizes the training of INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guides nationally and internationally.
This is done in close collaboration with members of the INFTA Advisory Board, established research institutes and organizations as part of a dynamic international network. Training of Forest Therapy Guides is based on the International Core Curriculum for Forest Therapy (ICCFT) designed by INFTA in 2017. In the process, the ICCFT was evaluated and validated by over 120 international experts from 20 countries.
Structured Learning
To support our trainees, INFTA employs a professional, high-end Learning Management System (LMS) using the latest online and cloud-based learning technology.
This makes learning – even for those coming from a non-English speaking background – much easier. The INFTA LMS is highly interactive and provides an excellent line of communication to mentors and fellow trainees.
Develop skills and key competencies
Organise and lead Forest Therapy sessions in forests and other natural environments
Understand group dynamics and people management
Comprehend the evidence-based research related to nature and Forest Therapy
Recognize and deal with a range of situations, time and risk management
Establish, communicate and consistently follow a personal values framework
Empower participants to become nature-connected and environmentally conscious
International Core Curriculum Forest Therapy (ICCFT)
Training of Forest Therapy Guides is based on the International Core Curriculum for Forest Therapy (ICCFT). The ICCFT constitutes the international training standard in this area. In 2017 INFTA spearheaded efforts to develop one international curriculum which unified the different national ideas and approaches in training the personnel required to conduct guided Public Forest Therapy sessions.
Continuous Professional Development
As an organisation, INFTA develops, promotes and monitors professional conduct of its research, training and Public appearance. Thus, all INFTA-Certified and Accredited Forest Therapy Guides have to participate in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to maintain accreditation with INFTA.