Application – Forest Therapy Guide Training, March 2024

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: HLTFTG53124). INFTA-Certified FTGs perform a vital role in preventative health or therapeutic health. 

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 have used the training to start or expand their own business or are, for example:

• healthcare professionals, such as 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

• compact introductory workshop (40 hrs over five days)
• theoretical and practical training (248 hrs over five months)
• theoretical and practical examination (8 hrs over several days)

The five-day introductory workshop will be conducted at the beautifully located Pallotti College, nestled away from the hustle and bustle near Warburton, Victoria. The training location comprises nearly 200 hectares of private land and forest, ideal for FTG training. The nearby unique and scenic Redwood Forest at the Yarra River, the Rainforest Gallery and O’Shannassy Aqueduct offer the finest forest trails in Australia, a surroundings perfectly suited for a professional, secluded and effective FTG training.

The next INFTA Forest Therapy Guide Training (Professional Training Course Code: HLTFTG53123) is scheduled to resume immediately after the INFTA Forest Therapy Introduction (6-10 March 2024). It is open to national and international applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are 12 exclusive training places available. The language of instruction is English.

The requirements to participate in the training are:

• a tertiary degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field and/or at least three years of relevant professional work experience
• proficiency in reading, speaking and writing English as well as adequate IT skills
• skills and experience in teaching, advising or dealing with 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 completing assignments on time

These requirements are necessary due to the nature and
responsibilities of Forest Therapy Guides who have to be capable of
leading diverse groups of people outdoors at different biospheres and
locations. Also, a current First Aid certificate (which has to
be acquired separately from other training providers as part of your
practicum) and adequate insurance coverage are compulsory for each FTG
trainee.

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 delivered by experienced and INFTA-Certified
and Accredited Forest Therapy Guides, dedicated mentors and lecturers
(all having tertiary degrees and specialized in their subject area). The
INFTA FTG Training is quality-controlled and monitored by Dr Dieter
Kotte, Secretary of the INFTA, who – among other qualifications – holds a
PhD in International Comparative Education from the University of
Hamburg, Germany and is Honorary Associate Professor, Faculty of Health,
Deakin University.

If you wish to become an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide
or just wish to participate in the introductory five-day, face-to-face
workshop to find out if the full-fledged, six-months training is right
for you, simply complete and submit the Application Form. Again, please note there are only 12 training spots available for this training cohort. These are reserved in the order of applications received and accepted.

• If you have not embarked on any INFTA FTG Training before and you
  only wish to participate in the introductory five-day, face-to-face
  workshop – the INFTA Forest Therapy Introduction – you can
  upgrade to the full-fledged, six-months training any time up to 14 days
  after the workshop. Please tick the relevant option in the application
  form.
• If you have already embarked on or completed an INFTA FTG Training
  and you just wish to participate in the introductory five-day,
  face-to-face workshop – the INFTA Forest Therapy Introduction –
  there will be no extra tuition fees charged. You will only have to cover
  the respective costs for accommodation at Pallotti College. In this
  case, please tick the relevant option in the application form.

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

If you have any other question about the Forest Therapy Guide training, most likely you will find the answers to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) helpful.

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

• six-months course duration (Professional Training Course Code: HLTFTG53124; March to October 2024)
• compact five-day introductory workshop at Pallotti College (6-10 March 2024)
• 296 lessons of instruction (compact introductory workshop, online training, practical exercises and tasks, feedback and mentoring sessions, teleconferencing)
• comprehensive INFTA Forest Therapy Guide training material
• access to the innovative INFTA Learning Management System (INFTA LMS)
• access to INFTA’s online research database (containing over 200 research articles, brochures and books about Forest Therapy, biology, physiology, biochemistry, medicine, Public health and related topics)
• practical and theoretical exams
• INFTA Forest Therapy Guide Training Certificate (upon successful completion of the course)
• full-board, single-room accommodation (during the comprehensive introductory workshop at Pallotti College)
• FREE accreditation with INFTA for a period of six months (after successful completion of the Forest Therapy Guide Training)

The fees for the six-months training course (Professional Training Course Code: HLTFTG53124, March to October 2024) amount to AUD 6,000.- (incl. GST). This is equivalent to only USD 4,200.-.

The fees include the five-day INFTA Forest Therapy Introduction (Pallotti College, 6-10 March 2024, all inclusive) and the subsequent six-months supervised and mentored INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide Training (at a location of your choice). The fees will have to be paid in two installments of AUD 3,000.- each:

• down-payment immediately after acceptance of registration by INFTA to secure your exclusive training slot
• final payment to be made prior to 1 February 2024
  

The fees to participate in the five-day INFTA Forest Therapy Introduction only (Pallotti College, 6-10 March 2024, all inclusive) amount to AUD 2,500.- (incl. GST). This is equivalent to USD 1,600.-. Upgrading to the full-fledged, six-months INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide Training can be done any time until 14 days after the workshop and incurs the additional fee of AUD 3,500.- (incl. GST).

Payment can be made via credit card or bank transfer. Fees do not cover transport, insurance or any third-party certificates to be obtained. Cancellation is possible any time prior to 1 February 2024; any cancellation must be submitted to INFTA in written and carries a cancellation fee of AUD 500.-. Please refer to our disclaimer, terms & conditions and privacy policy.