Forest Therapy Guide Training
Forest Therapy Guide Training
Forest Therapy Guide Training
Forest Therapy Guide Training
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.
About the Course
About INFTA
INFTA sets the standards for and organises the training of INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guides nationally and internationally. This work is carried out in close collaboration with members of the INFTA Advisory Board, established research institutes, and partner organisations within a dynamic international network.
International Core Curriculum (ICCFT)
Training is based on the International Core Curriculum for Forest Therapy (ICCFT), designed by INFTA in 2017. The curriculum was evaluated and validated by more than 120 international experts from 20 countries, ensuring it meets rigorous global standards.
Training Outcomes
INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide training equips learners with the knowledge, competencies and confidence to facilitate high-quality Forest Therapy sessions for a wide variety of clients and participants. The program also supports the development of professional and personal leadership, social and interpersonal capacity, and technical skills needed to contribute to the growing field of Forest Therapy as a Public health practice.
Study Anytime, Anywhere
You can begin training to become an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide at any time, from anywhere in the world. This flexibility is supported by INFTA’s multilingual, innovative and professional Learning Management System, available online 24/7 throughout the year.
Before you apply
During the mentored and supervised six-months practicum, learners will develop skills and competencies to:
- 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.
Learning
Training is delivered through related theoretical and practical components. The robust link of these aspects of the training allows learners to understand the research and evidence base of the practice, on which to develop the required practical skills and competencies.
A time ratio of around two-thirds practical (approx. 180 lessons) to one-third theoretical (approx. 90 lessons) instruction will be maintained. As learners progress through the course, they will build a portfolio of resources and record evidence of their work, experiences and observations (incl. video-taped activities of guided Public Forest Therapy walks).
To support our trainees INFTA employs a multilingual, professional, high-end Learning Management System (LMS) using the latest online and cloud-based learning technology. This makes learning much easier – even for those coming from a non-English speaking background. The INFTA LMS is highly interactive and provides an excellent line of communication to mentors and fellow trainees. It is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Learners should allow adequate time to read and understand the contents, undertake investigative research and allow adequate time to plan, manage and lead four guided Public Forest Therapy sessions of three hours each as part of their practicum. The average time commitment to progress through the practicum is 10-15 hours per week. Trainees should be aware of the complexity of the content in order to self-manage the assignment load well.
Training Pathways
Choose which training pathway suits YOU
- start your training right away with the six-months supervised and mentored practicum in the INFTA LMS
- start your training with an exclusive face-to-face workshop and then continue with the six-months supervised and mentored practicum in the INFTA LMS
- start your training right away with the six-months supervised and mentored practicum in the INFTA LMS and take part in an exclusive face-to-face workshop any time during or up to 24 months after you completed the practicum
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Training Options
You can start your training any time – no matter where you live – by enrolling online for the six-months supervised and mentored practicum offered through the INFTA LMS, 24/7. New training cohorts start all year round.