HomeForest Therapy Guide Certification – Start Online

Start Online Forest Therapy
Guide Training

Start your certification with six onths of online training and
follow by a 4 day hands on experiential training on the land

This pathway offers the full Forest Therapy Guide certification, beginning online and culminating in an in-person immersion. It is designed for those who need flexibility at the start, while still valuing the depth of embodied, in-person practice.

Starting online allows you to build a strong foundation at your own pace integrating learning into your life, working with your schedule, and moving through the material with intention. When the time is right for you, the training comes together in person, grounding knowledge in direct experience and shared practice.

Your Certification Pathway

Step 1

Remote Training

6-Month Online Training

Step 1

You will start with a 6-month remote training, covering the content on live calls with your trainers and fellow students. As part of this program you will also be spending a lot of time exploring this practice through nature connection activities outside. After completing this training you will receive a provisional certification as a Certified Forest Therapy Guide.

Step 2

In-person Immersion

4-Days. In-person

Step 2

After completing at least module 4 and submitting the corresponding assignments, of the six-month remote Forest Therapy Guide Training you're eligible to apply to a 4-day in-person immersion. During this time you will have the opportunity to be guided on forest therapy walks by your trainers and to deepen into this practice. You have two years time to complete this step.

Step 3

Get Certified

Permanent. Global

Step 3

After completing the 6-month remote training and the 4-day in- person immersion, you will receive your permanent certification as an ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide and be part of the largest Forest Therapy Guide Community Worldwide.

Who it's for

This course is for anyone who wants to become a Certified Forest Therapy Guide. No prior knowledge or training required.
Format: Fully online, self-paced – coursework plus live weekly calls one fixed day/time slot for the whole cohort.
What you earn: A provisional certification as a Forest Therapy Guide – not yet permanent.
What’s included: Modules, live main-content and lab calls (recorded if you miss one), a downloadable manual, guided practice and nature-connection assignments, and access to your cohort community.
No prerequisites – open to anyone, no prior training or nature background required.
What’s next: Completing Module 4 makes you eligible to apply for the Part 2 of your training, the four-day in-person immersion which is what converts your certification from provisional to permanent.

What you'll experience

– Learn to guide ANFT’s Standard Sequence, the proven framework at the heart of every forest therapy walk you’ll ever lead.
– Embody the Way of the Guide, a heart-centered approach to guiding that shapes who you become, not just what you do.
– Learn the Language for Relational Forest Therapy, words that open the doors for relationship with the more-than-human-world.
– Practice somatic techniques for embodied awareness, so your presence informs and supports your guiding skills.
– Develop facilitation skills, creating the kind of hospitality where authentic relationships can unfold.
– Learn to sequence invitations to create a journey that invites relationships, knowing not just what to offer, but when, so each walk builds toward something whole
– Learn trail awareness and safety, including how to choose and hold a forest therapy trail responsibly.
– Get to know your bioregion, its history, its watershed, the awareness and sense of belonging that comes from truly knowing a place.
– Learn the pedagogy and fundamentals of relational forest therapy and nature connection, the “why” behind every step of the method.
– Ground your practice in nature and forest therapy research, so your work stands on real evidence, not just intuition.
– Know the competency standards, exactly what a Forest Therapy Guide should know and be able to do to be aligned with our scope of practice.
– Learn to promote your forest therapy offerings, with practical tips for building this into a real, sustainable career.

Certification &  Requirements

Investment & Enrollment

Tuition: $3,350 USD

Upcoming Trainings

Winter Jasmine

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

October 26, 2026
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Mondays
8:00 am – 10:00 am

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Sea Otter

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

November 10, 2026
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Tuesdays
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

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Mule Deer

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

January 9, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Saturdays
8:00 am – 10:00 am

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Honey Bee

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

January 19, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Tuesdays
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

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Loggerhead Turtle

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

February 11, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Thursdays
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

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Mountain Gorilla

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

March 8, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Mondays
9:00 am – 11:00 am

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Frogfish

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

March 18, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Thursdays
4:00 am – 6:00 am

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Burrowing Owl

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

April 21, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Wednesdays
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

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Chrysalis

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

May 18, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Tuesdays
6:00 am – 8:00 am

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Leopard Frog

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

June 15, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Tuesdays
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

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Giraffe

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

July 22, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Thursdays
8:00 am – 10:00 am

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Angelfish

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

August 25, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Wednesdays
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

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Unfurling Ferns

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

September 15, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Wednesdays
5:00 am – 7:00 am

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Japanese Maple

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

October 9, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Saturdays
9:00 am – 11:00 am

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Polar Bear

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

October 14, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Thursdays
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

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Sika Deer

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

November 4, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Thursdays
5:00 am – 7:00 am

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Shell Ginger

Enrollment Open

First Call Date

December 1, 2027
Language

English
Live Calls (Times in PST)

Wednesdays
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Enroll Now

Become a Certified Forest Therapy Guide

Join the movement healing people and planet.

Start Online FAQs

Who is eligible to enroll?

Anyone. No prior training or nature background required.

What does completing this training give me?

A provisional certification as a Forest Therapy Guide valid for 2 years. Full certification requires also completing the second part of your training which is the 4-day immersion

What's included?

14 modules, live weekly calls with your trainers and cohort, small group discussion calls, a downloadable manual, videos, assignments, nature connection activities, and access to the largest forest therapy guide community worldwide

What's the tuition, and what's not included?

$3,350 USD, with a 6-month payment plan and Buy Now, Pay Later options available. It doesn’t include the 4-day immersion (Part 2), which is priced and enrolled separately. Certification as an ANFT Forest Therapy Guide requires Wilderness First Aid Certification that the trainee must seek outside the guide training program

When are the live calls?

Once a week, same day and time for the entire duration of the training. Check that it fits your schedule and time zone before enrolling.

What timezone does ANFT Training times follow?

All ANFT Training times follow UTC (Universal Coordinated Time). This website is designed in such a way that the time for the weekly live class sessions you see on your device is your local time

Will the time of the live class sessions change in my region?

If you live in a region that suffers time change throughout the year (i.e: Daylight savings), the time of the live class will change for you. Please check with your trainers.

When will I know the schedule for the 6 month training?

You will receive the full schedule of live classes when you enroll in the training.

What happens after I finish this training?

Once you’ve completed Module 4, you’re eligible to apply for the 4-day immersion, which moves your certification from provisional to permanent.

Can I meet the trainers before enrolling?

Yes. Join a live Q&A call with ANFT trainers anytime. Register for the call above.

Have more questions?

Some Things Can’t Be Explained.
Only Experienced

Stories from Our Students

“I experience nature in a totally different way. I also feel different and have a new perception when I am part of a group. I feel I matured so much throughout these learning experiences. I learned to listen, guide without pushing, help without directing, support but not solve for others, understand how resilient we all are, and trust myself, others in their own journey, and the Forest. Beautiful experience all around. Much gratitude”

– EmilianoChico Cohort

“Big thanks to my trainers for the ongoing support and for modelling trust, openness, gentleness, love, patience, inclusivity and hospitality (and so much more)… This has been one of the best programs I’ve ever been on where I’vediscovered more about myself (my being) and deepened my connections with self,others, nature and other beings before my time…It has been a wonderful learning journey of discovery and unfolding, as I begin to find and step into my place in nature, and to connect with a community of nature-lovers with big hearts forthe more-than-human-world. When I started the program, I thought I was going to learn what the guide does (Doing), but what I really took away was learning howto be a guide (Being) in nature. There were many highlights from the program,but a key one was learning that I’m not alone, and that the Forest has my back.As a guide, the idea of trusting and partnering the Forest/Nature is veryliberating for me and allows me to be my authentic, playful self, and to be onewith the Forest/Nature. While the coursework/assignments feel a bit overwhelmingat times, they have helped me deepen my learning as a guide as well as todiscover and confront some of my learning edges.”

– Gho Phek SuanGingko Cohort

“Since finding out that I was accepted into this program, I have found nothing but support and encouragement along the way. It’s challenging in all the authentic and good ways challenge can present itself, and usually that means needing to grow and understand yourself as you take on new possibilities. This was a beautiful course, rife with meaning, and something that has changed me in both complex and subtle ways. Rediscovery of the lost parts of yourself isn’t always electric and profound, it’s sometimes quiet and soothing…a river you always knew you were made of and can just jump back in again.”

– KateChico Cohort

‍“Nature has always been incredibly important to me, I always knew how therapeutic spending time in nature could be but never had the framework or words to express what I felt. This training allowed me the space to find the words, framework and so much more. This training has fundamentally changed the way I see and experience nature, and consequently how I see myself and all beings. As a Child and Family therapist I believe growth can come in many forms. I have always wanted to incorporate nature into my clinical practice and treatment goals with my clients and never felt confident in how to do this. This training has given me the knowledge, tools and confidence to look outside the therapy room in nature, with nature to support my clients and greater community in ways I never could before.”

– Gabriel RischallHummingbird Cohort

“I was very tentative about joining a 6-month virtual course but I have to say the time we spent together as a cohort learning alongside our mentors was incredible. The time, effort, dedication,and careful shepherding by my mentors has allowed me to grow as a new guide and embrace the way of a guide as a lifelong journey.”

– AaronForest Therapy Guide

“My trainers could not have been more helpful. During the unfolding of the course material they were supportive while allowing space to think for ourselves and were skilled at consolidating the information. I did not feel unsupported or left unsure any time, quite the opposite. And what a journey this has been! I am so grateful that I was somehowsteered in the direction of ANFT. I am so grateful for my trainers and fellow trainees and the safe space created by them. I loved the gentle unfolding of this course;how we seemed to learn everything at just the right time to learn it. I loved the complete acceptance of our trainers demonstrating as well as explaining the Way of the Guide. The impact on my life in particular was being shown a practical path that fitted with my belief system about theearth, while extending my knowledge and vision. ANFT has given me a directionto help our earth and its human and other-than-human beings.”

– ClaireGingko Cohort

“The ANFT curriculum is very well thought out and comes from a strong lineage of wisdom. The online mode of training moves at a seamless pace and allows time to digest and integrate the material presented. The majority of the learning occurs outside, in the student’s own watershed. While the practice incorporates the best aspects of Shinrin Yoku, it goes beyond it in a way that touches the human soul, and facilitates personal discovery and an authentic relationship with who we are as nature, which is so needed for the healing of our planet.”

– Brandee

“As I’ve gone deeper into my experience of Forest Therapy, I noticed a healing taking place around belonging. Spending time in the forest feels like coming home, and it has been opening up the awareness ofhow interconnected everything is. I feel a similar feeling of belonging andcoming home to myself. In my family I’ve carried this narrative of beingdifferent, not fully seen, and not supported in the ways that I needed. That narrativehad been projected into other areas of my life. But lately I’ve been noticing ashift taking place. I’ve been feeling a sense of belonging around work. I’vealso been feeling a sense of belonging around what I consider are my uniquetalents and gifts. Like I don’t have to guard them, but instead they have aplace in this world.”

– PatrickBluebells Cohort

“This course met every one of my objectives. I was looking for a rigorous learning experience that would embody the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (ForestBathing) that resonated with a western audience. I researched several programs and selected the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) and have not been disappointed. The program’s motto of “The Forest is the Therapist and the Guide opens the Door” is emphasized throughout the program. We learned how to help our participants open themselves to the natural environment, whether it was a forest, desert, wet land, or city park. We learned important information about the areas we would guide. We learned about what made a good trail, potential hazards, and how to deal with challenges. Our instructors were knowledgeable and guided us through a lot of material with a gentleness and kindness that totally amazed me. I come from a technical background of Information Technology, Project Management, Process Engineering and Financial Planning; and the course allowed me to slow my pace and change my way of thinking. If you are looking for a way to improve people’s relationship with themselves, others, and the more-than-human-world; I would recommend it.”

– Hummingbird Cohort 2021Grant Lucas

Start Online Forest Therapy
Guide Training

Start your certification with six onths of online training and
follow by a 4 day hands on experiential training on the land

Your Certification Pathway

Step 1

Step 1

Step 2

Step 2

Step 3

Step 3

Who it's for

What you'll experience

Certification &  Requirements

Certificate:

Requirements:

Investment & Enrollment

Tuition: $3,350 USD

Payment plan:

Financial aid:

Not included:

Refund policy:

Upcoming Trainings

Become a Certified Forest Therapy Guide

Start Online FAQs

Some Things Can’t Be Explained.
Only Experienced

Stories from Our Students

Start Here

Explore ANFT

Community & Places

Help

Start Online Forest Therapy Guide Training

Start your certification with six onths of online training and follow by a 4 day hands on experiential training on the land

Your Certification Pathway

Step 1

Step 1

Step 2

Step 2

Step 3

Step 3

Who it's for

What you'll experience

Certification & Requirements

Certificate:

Requirements:

Investment & Enrollment

Tuition: $3,350 USD

Payment plan:

Financial aid:

Not included:

Refund policy:

Upcoming Trainings

Become a Certified Forest Therapy Guide

Start Online FAQs

Some Things Can’t Be Explained. Only Experienced

Stories from Our Students

Start Online Forest Therapy
Guide Training

Start your certification with six onths of online training and
follow by a 4 day hands on experiential training on the land

Certification &  Requirements

Financial aid:  

Some Things Can’t Be Explained.
Only Experienced