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An exclusive workshop providing you with special practical skills and additional theoretical competencies for your INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide practicum.

Introductory Forest Therapy Workshop

Start date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
End date: Sunday, 24 May 2026
Delivery Mode: extensive practical components with additional research overview
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (practical components) & Seasons Hotel, Melbourne (workshop/meeting room)
Qualification type: Graduate Diploma equivalent (as part of the INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide training)
Prerequisites: enrolment in INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide training
Maximum participant number: 12
Language: English

Suited to:

  • Individuals who are ready to start a new career as a Forest Therapy Guide
  • Allied health professionals who wish to add Forest Therapy to their practice
  • Educators who intend to teach outdoors
  • Aged Care providers looking to add Forest Therapy as a health program
  • Disability service providers looking to expand service offerings to their clients
  • Organisations searching for professional development opportunities for staff
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Course Details

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: HLTFTG54326). INFTA-Certified FTGs perform a vital role in preventative health and/or therapeutic health.

INFTA’s 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 wellbeing
  • 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 psychologists, 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

The recommended overall duration of the INFTA FTG training is six months and comprises of:

  • theoretical and practical training (248 hrs)
  • theoretical and practical examination (8 hrs)

Participation in an introductory in-person training workshop is optional but highly recommended.

The recommended personal requirements to participate in the training are:

  • professional work experience and/or a tertiary or vocational degree
  • proficiency in reading, speaking and writing English as well as basic IT skills
  • skills and experience in teaching, advising or dealing with groups of 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 and completing assignments on time

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 exclusive workshop 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).

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 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 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 was the Editor-in-chief of the International Handbook of Forest Therapy (Kotte et al 2019).

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

CPD points for members of other professional organisations may be arranged for upon written request.

FTG training workshop RBG Melbourne

Sign me up!

If you wish to participate in the exclusive training workshop, please complete and submit the Application Form .

Please note there are only 12 exclusive training spots available for this training workshop. These are reserved in the order of applications received and accepted.

INFTA is looking forward to welcoming you to its next in-person Forest Therapy Guide training workshop.

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(the participation fee for the exclusive, in-person training workshop in Melbourne, 21-24 May 2026 at the Royal Botanic Gardens & Seasons Botanic Gardens Hotel amounts to AUD 600.- for which you will be invoiced accordingly)
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INFTA will verify your application and send you an email with the Stripe® payment link.
  • exclusive four-day workshop in preparation of the start of the international Forest Therapy Guide training June 2026
  • intensive in-person workshop with a focus on conducting a standard Public Forest Therapy session
  • preparing, conducting and evaluating a three-hour Public Forest Therapy session under supervision and with the guidance of experienced mentors
  • experiencing the astounding features of the most commonly used Forest Therapy trail in the world at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
  • obtaining insights into the latest research of Forest Therapy as an evidence-based Public Health practice
  • participating in this year’s international Graduation Ceremony for INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guides (Saturday, 23 May 2026, 15-17.00 hrs)

The fee for the exclusive, four-day in-person INFTA Forest Therapy Guide training workshop in Melbourne, 21-24 May 2026, amounts to only A$ 600.- (incl. GST plus Stripe® charges) and covers all deliverables listed.

You can pay this fee upfront simply via Stripe® using your credit card. Once your payment is credited to our account, you will receive a confirmation about your training slot which has been reserved for you. This allows you to make your own travel and accommodation arrangements to attend the workshop.

Fees do not cover travel, accommodation and insurance. Should you wish to cancel your application after you reserved your exclusive training spot, this is possible until 30 April 2026. Cancellation incurs a cancellation fee of AUD 200.-. Please refer to our disclaimer, privacy policy and terms and conditions.