Here you will find all information about the INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide Training (Professional Training Course Code: HLTFTG53125) starting with the introductory workshop at Geelong, Victoria/Australia, 18-22 March 2025. If you wish to become an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide, please click the tab ‘Application Form’ below, fill out the required fields and register your interest by pressing the ‘SUBMIT’ button. INFTA will review your application within three working days and inform you whether you are accepted for the next INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide Training. Should you have any further question about the training, feel free to contact us. We are happy to help and make your Forest Therapy Guide Training as professional and rewarding for you as possible. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
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: HLTFTG53125). INFTA-Certified FTGs perform a vital role in preventative health or therapeutic health.
INFTA’s Forest Therapy Guide training is best suited for people who are:
INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guides have used the training to start or expand their own business or are, for example:
INFTA’s training adheres to the International Core Curriculum for Forest Therapy (ICCFT) validated by 120+ experts from 20 countries in Europe, America, Asia and Australia in 2017. The ICCFT is the world-wide standard in Forest Therapy Guide training. The recommended overall duration of the INFTA FTG training is six months and comprises of:
The five-day introductory workshop will be conducted at the Eastern Hub in Geelong/Australia using primarily the premises of the Geelong Botanic Gardens and Eastern Lawn for the practical training components. The training location with its outstanding biodiversity and quiet trails is ideal for FTG training. The nearby world’s first, campus-based INFTA-Certified and Accredited Forest Therapy trail at Deakin University in Waurn Ponds is only a short drive away and so is the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve. This allows to practice Forest Therapy in different but ideally suited forested surroundings. The five-day introductory workshop culminates with the unique opportunity to showcase your newly acquired competencies when the group of FTG trainees is tasked with conducting their first Public Forest Therapy session right at the Geelong Botanic Gardens on Friday, 21 March 2025. This Forest Therapy session will be free-of-charge for the Public.
This INFTA Forest Therapy Guide Training is scheduled during 18-22 March 2025. It is open to national and international applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are 15 exclusive training places available. The language of instruction is English.
The recommended requirements to participate in the training are:
These requirements summarize the responsibilities of FTGs who have to be capable of leading diverse groups of people outdoors at different forested surroundings and locations. Also, a current First Aid certificate (which has to be acquired separately from other training providers as part of your Forest Therapy practicum) and adequate insurance coverage (Public Liability/Professional Indemnity) 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 training is delivered by experienced mentors and lecturers (all having tertiary degrees and specialized in their subject areas; all are INFTA-Certified and Accredited Forest Therapy Guides). The INFTA FTG Training is quality-controlled and monitored by Dr Dieter Kotte, INFTA’s Secretary & International Strategic Advisor, who – among other qualifications – holds a PhD in International Comparative Education from the University of Hamburg, Germany, and who serves as Honorary Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health, Deakin University.
If you wish to become an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide simply complete and submit the Application Form. Again, please note there are only 15 exclusive training spots available for this training cohort. These are reserved in the order of applications received and accepted.
If you have already embarked on or completed an INFTA FTG Training online and you just wish to participate in the five-day, in-person workshop to acquire more practical exposure and experience, please drop us a line via email.
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.
The fees for the six-months training course (Professional Training Course Code: HLTFTG53125, March to September 2025) amount to USD 3,800.- (incl. GST).
The fees include the five-day INFTA Forest Therapy Introduction (Eastern Hub, Geelong, Victoria/Australia, 18-22 March 2025) and the subsequent six-months supervised and mentored INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide practicum (at a location of your choice). The fees will have to be paid in two steps:
Applicants residing in Australia will be invoiced via Xero® in Australian dollars (AUD). Applicants from outside Australia are invoiced via Stripe® in US dollars (USD). Payment plans are available upon request. Fees do not cover accommodation, transport, insurance or any third-party certificates to be obtained. Cancellation is possible any time prior to 15 February 2025; any cancellation must be submitted to INFTA in written and carries a cancellation fee of USD 400.-. A cancellation after 15 February 2025 is not possible.
The conduct of this training course requires a minimum number of six participants. Should this minimum number not be reached by 15 February 2025, INFTA reserves the right to cancel the training course. In this circumstance, the fees already paid by participants will be reimbursed in full. Please refer to our disclaimer, terms & conditions and privacy policy.
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.
