FOREST THERAPY PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION
Our 16-week accredited Forest Therapy Practitioner training will certify you to be able to effectively promote your services as a Forest Therapy Practitioner.
The course was created by Lucy Duggan, who undertook a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust international research fellowship to study the health benefits of nature connection.
Her current research into the effects of forest therapy on post-partum depression has received a Royal College of Psychiatry innovation award and has been published in the British Medical Journal.
The training is delivered by course tutor Ava Maginnis.
We are a CPD Group-registered training provider and Complimentary Medical Association-registered training college.
By the end of this training you will:
Organise and lead safe and effective Forest Therapy sessions in woodlands and other natural environments
Grasp key theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of Forest Therapy practice
Understand fundamental group facilitation skills
Know essential research literature related to Forest Therapy and its impacts on human health
Download Our Guide to Forest Therapy Practitioner Training
COURSE OUTLINE
The training takes place online over 16 weeks (30 CPD points). There are four two-hour online training modules delivered via Zoom. Between these sessions there will be reading, practical and reflective assignments to complete.
The course includes an 8-week mentored practicum period where you’ll facilitate two walks, build foundational knowledge about your local geology, flora and fauna, answer test questions and submit an essay.
The programme includes two one-to-one mentoring calls and two group coaching calls.
-
Complimentary Medical Association Accredited College & Course
Light Box project CIC is registered as a Complementary Medical Association training college, and this training is accredited by them.
-
CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Accredited Provider
The training represents 30 hours of CPD. Light Box Project CIC is a CDP accredited provider number #779591 with The CPD Group.
Common Questions
-
Yes. Anyone who is committed to learning and practising the necessary skills can become a forest therapy practitioner capable of supporting others to have restorative nature connection experiences.
-
The only fixed attendance dates are the group coaching sessions and the classroom module learning: 6 dates in total. All learning sessions take place 6-8pm, after regular work hours and you can book your tutorials to be at a time that suits.
They are all recorded so you can catch up in the event you have to miss one of them due to circumstances beyond your control.
-
The course fee is £1200. We have bursaries and payment plans available.
-
The training has a large practical component which includes outdoor exercises (completed in your local area), leading a group and one to one session and undertaking a 5 hour solo immersion, alongside a certain amount of required reading and written assignments.
-
We put together the following list of key skills and attributes:
Communication skills
Emotional intelligence
Time-keeping
Empathy
Adaptability and flexibility
Ability to plan and prepare for sessions
Ability to be (or act) confident
Self-awareness: our own style of communication and facilitation (Which may be discovered during the course if no prior facilitation experience), our personal strengths, and weaknesses
Ability to handle (rare!) difficult group situations
-
If you already have a forest therapy practice that you share with others, gaining accreditation may add impetus to extend your reach and introduce your practice to new audiences, and offer a route to gaining formal recognition for your existing skills and knowledge.
The training also provides opportunities to work in closer contact with a community of individual practitioners, and will enrich your existing practice by expanding your knowledge of methodologies, research literature and theoretical and philosophical perspectives on the practice.
-
We recommend that you download our course guide so that you have all the information before making a decision. You’ll find booking information at the end of the guide.
We’ve outlined everything you need to know about our Forest Therapy Practitioner Training in a free PDF Guide.
Learn how Forest Therapy practice could transform your life and the lives of others.
TRAINING DATES
Spaces limited to 16 learners per cohort.
Further 2024 and 2025 cohorts to be announced.
-
Wednesday 13th March 6-8PM: MODULE 1 Overview & values | Nature & the mind
Wednesday 27th March 6-8PM: MODULE 2 Research literature | Health benefits
Wednesday 10th April 6-8PM: MODULE 3 Session structure | Role of the senses & practitioner
Wednesday 24th April 6-8PM: MODULE 4 Facilitation skills | Building your practice
Wednesday 8th May 6-7.30PM: GROUP COACHING #1 and 8-WEEK PRACTICUM BEGINS
Wednesdays 22nd May - 26th June: PERSONAL MENTORING #1 and #2 (5.00PM-7.30PM slots)
Wednesday 3rd July 6-7.30PM: GROUP COACHING #2
-
Wednesday 20th March 6-8PM: MODULE 1 Overview & values | Nature & the mind
Wednesday 3rd April 6-8PM: MODULE 2 Research literature | Health benefits
Wednesday 17th April 6-8PM: MODULE 3 Session structure | Role of the senses & practitioner
Wednesday 1st May 6-8PM: MODULE 4 Facilitation skills | Building your practice
Wednesday 15th May 6-7.30PM: GROUP COACHING #1 and 8-WEEK PRACTICUM BEGINS
Wednesdays 29th May - 26th June: PERSONAL MENTORING #1 and #2 (5.00PM-7.30PM slots)
Wednesday 10th July 6-7.30PM: GROUP COACHING #2
-
Wednesday 17th July 6-8PM: MODULE 1 Overview & values | Nature & the mind
Wednesday 31st July 6-8PM: MODULE 2 Research literature | Health benefits
Wednesday 14th August 6-8PM: MODULE 3 Session structure | Role of the senses & practitioner
Wednesday 28th August 6-8PM: MODULE 4 Facilitation skills | Building your practice
Wednesday 4th September 6-7.30PM: GROUP COACHING #1 and 8-WEEK PRACTICUM BEGINS
Wednesdays 18th September - 23rd October : PERSONAL MENTORING #1 and #2 (5.00PM-7.30PM slots)
Wednesday 6th November 6-7.30PM: GROUP COACHING #2
-
Wednesday 24th July 6-8PM: MODULE 1 Overview & values | Nature & the mind
Wednesday 7th August 6-8PM: MODULE 2 Research literature | Health benefits
Wednesday 21st August 6-8PM: MODULE 3 Session structure | Role of the senses & practitioner
Wednesday 4th September 6-8PM: MODULE 4 Facilitation skills | Building your practice
Wednesday 11th September 6-7.30PM: GROUP COACHING #1 and 8-WEEK PRACTICUM BEGINS
Wednesdays 25th September - 30th October : PERSONAL MENTORING #1 and #2 (5.00PM-7.30PM slots)
Wednesday 13th November 6-7.30PM: GROUP COACHING #2
The impacts of nature-based intervention
Light Box is active in the field of Nature and Health research. We are currently working in partnership with the University of Bristol’s Psychiatry department investigating the impacts of nature-based intervention on mothers with postnatal depression, and their babies. See the video for an overview:
What is covered in the Forest Therapy Practitioner Training?
Core competency standards: what a Forest Therapy Practitioner should understand and be prepared to do
Nature and Forest Therapy research findings
How to achieve embodied awareness through sensory invitations
Safety considerations
Group facilitation methods to promote interactive learning
“I loved this course, it was so inspiring, useful, well presented, clear and enjoyable.”
Dr Mary Delaney, 2022 Cohort. (Mary is a Psychologist who has since set up 'Neuro in Nature CIC' which supports individuals and families living with neurological conditions)
“I'd recommend the training because of the knowledgeable and passionate tutor, engaging and exciting content and the flexibility to fit around other commitments.”
Sarah Barber, 2022 Cohort.
Deciding whether to make the financial and time commitment required to gain certified Forest Therapy Practitioner status can be a carefully weighed decision, with many different training options out there to navigate and choose from.
We have a free guide which will provide key information to help you decide whether our training is right for you. Just click the button and sign up using your email address
Looking for a qualified Forest Therapy Practitioner?
Meet some of our graduates here: Our Forest Therapy Training Graduates
More about Forest Therapy
In a world that often glorifies busyness and productivity, the practice of forest bathing provides a much-needed pause – a chance to reconnect with the beauty and serenity of the natural world.
Forest bathing offers the tools and guidance needed to fully immerse in the healing embrace of nature. As we strive for balance and well-being, a forest bathing course can be a profound step towards cultivating a healthier, more harmonious life.