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Here you will find all information about the INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide Training (Professional Training Course Code: HLTG54126).

Forest Therapy Guide Training

Start date: 19-22 November 2025
Duration: Six months
Delivery Mode: In person + online (using INFTA’s advanced LMS) with some practical components
Location: Geelong, VIC Australia
Qualification type: Six-month graduate diploma equivalent
Prerequisites: None
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
  • NDIS providers looking to expand service offerings to participants
  • Aged Care providers looking to add Forest Therapy as a health program
  • 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: HLTFTG53425). 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:

  • 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

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

 

  • five-day introductory workshop (40 hrs)
  • theoretical and practical training (248 hrs)
  • theoretical and practical examination (8 hrs)

The in-person introductory workshop will be conducted at Waurn Ponds Estate, Geelong/Australia.

The training location with its outstanding biodiversity and quiet trails constitutes the world’s first, campus-based INFTA-Certified and Accredited Forest Therapy trail at Deakin University. This allows to practice Forest Therapy in an ideal setting.

The 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 Waurn Ponds Forest Therapy trail on Saturday, 22 November 2025. This Forest Therapy session will be free-of-charge for the Public.

The recommended requirements to participate in the training are:

  • professional work experience or a tertiary 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 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).

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 serves as Honorary Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health, Deakin University.

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

Sign me up!

If you wish to become an INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide simply complete and submit the Application Form below.

Please note there are only 12 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 contact us.

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

Name
(please tell us when best to contact you to discuss your application with you)
(please list previous occupations, if applicable)
Your English language skills
(please tick the appropriate option)
Your IT skills
(please tick the box/boxes applicable to you)
(please state your experience)
Where did you hear about Forest Therapy?
(please tick the box/boxes applicable to you)
(your response should contain a minimum of 150 words)
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Your online learning environment and ability
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I have read and understood the Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
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Training Option
(after submitting this application you will be invoiced to make a down-payment of USD 1,400.- to secure your exclusive training slot at the in-person introductory workshop at Waurn Ponds Estate, Geelong, VIC/Australia, 19-22 November 2025; you will have to make the final payment of USD 2,400.- before 22 November 2025 to obtain access to the mentored and supervised online-based practicum and INFTA Learning Management System)
  • six-months course duration (Professional Training Course Code: HLTFTG54126; extendable up to 12 months, free-of-charge upon written request)
  • 248 lessons of instruction (online training, practical exercises and tasks, feedback and mentoring sessions)
  • fortnightly mentor sessions (via Zoom®)
  • comprehensive INFTA Forest Therapy Guide training material (online instructional material, documents, images, videos, podcasts)
  • access to the innovative INFTA Learning Management System (INFTA LMS; structured, mentored and supervised online learning platform, accessible 24/7, all year round; unlimited usage during the practicum)
  • access to live discussion boards on the INFTA LMS (choose from taking part in any of the many international discussion forums)
  • access to the international community of practice (online and with fortnightly mentor sessions via Zoom®)
  • access to INFTA’s online 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 (geared to make your learning curve as successful as possible)
  • INFTA Forest Therapy Guide Training Certificate (upon successful completion of the course)
  • FREE accreditation with INFTA (for a period of six months after successful completion of the Forest Therapy Guide Training)
The fee for the six-months INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide Training (Professional Training Course Code: HLTFTG54126) amounts to only USD 3,500 (incl. GST) and covers all deliverables listed. You will be invoiced to pay this fee upfront via Stripe®. Once credited to our account, you will receive your login credentials to start your training in the INFTA Learning Management System in a separate email.
We also offer the option of a payment plan. This payment plan includes a down-payment of only USD 1,500 (incl. GST) and the payment of four additional instalments of only USD 600 each. Please choose your preferred way of payment in the application form. You will be invoiced for the payment accordingly.

Fees do not cover insurance or any third-party certificates to be obtained. Once you have started to access the INFTA Learning Management System, fees are not reimbursable. Should you wish to cancel your application after you have made your payment prior to accessing the INFTA Learning Management System, this incurs a cancellation fee of USD 400. Any such cancellation has to be made in written. Please refer to our disclaimer, privacy policy, and terms and conditions.

Become a Forest Therapy Guide
... and save up to $1,000!

As a big THANK YOU to our supporters worldwide,
you can now become an
INFTA-Certified Forest Therapy Guide at a considerably reduced fee. This offer is valid until 31 December 2025 only.

Start into a successful 2026 and apply right now.

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