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.
Yours INFTA Team
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.
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.
For whom is the Forest Therapy Guide training suited?
Forest Therapy Guide training is best suited for people who are:
INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guides use the training to start or expand their own business. They are, for example:
What makes INFTA’s training of Forest Therapy Guides so effective?
INFTA offers a comprehensive Forest Therapy Guide 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 Forest Therapy Guides. 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 Forest Therapy Guides 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?
In essence, there are two options to become qualified as INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide:
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, five-day, face-to-face workshop (offered, for example, regularly in Australia at Pallotti College) is your free choice; this extra option is not compulsory.
Starting with the introductory, five-day, 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 where 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 the five-day introductory workshop or not. Even if you start with the online-based Forest Therapy Guide training straight away, you are eligible to join any future five-day, face-to-face workshop to gain more practical experience.
Due to the extended teaching, personalized training and accommodation made available during the introductory five-day workshop, the costs are a bit higher (currently AUD 6,000) instead of embarking straight away to the six-months online-based practicum (currently AUD 5,000).
Is this training course recognized?
Yes, this training is recognized in a number of countries. It is by far the most comprehensive and professional training available – nationally and internationally – when you wish to obtain the necessary competencies needed to conduct Forest Therapy sessions. The training is based on the International Core Curriculum of Forest Therapy, designed by INFTA and evaluated and validated by 120+ experts from 20 countries (see, for example, the International Handbook of Forest Therapy, edited in 2019 by Kotte et al).
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 and Accredited 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 and Accredited Forest Therapy Guides. The next graduation ceremony is planned at the Pallotti College, Australia, in September 2024.
Do I become a member of INFTA when I graduate?
Yes, all INFTA-Certified and Accredited Forest Therapy Guides are automatically 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 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 which has to be paid 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 (12 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.
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, we offer concessionary training rates only to organisations, government stakeholders and private companies when training several of their staff at the same time.
INFTA is a not-for-profit association registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria (reg. no.: A0100437H)
INFTA acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
