Restoring meaningful
relationships with the
living world
The Relational Forest Therapy Academy is the foundational heart of ANFT’s work. Rooted in relationship, this academy trains guides and practitioners to facilitate meaningful experiences that deepen connection between people, nature, and community.
Through immersive learning, guided practice, and experiential education, students develop the skills, presence, and relational depth needed to guide transformational nature experiences in diverse settings around the world.
This academy supports both personal transformation and professional development helping people cultivate ways of being that restore belonging, reciprocity, and connection with the more-than-human world.
Explore Our Programs
First Steps into the Forest
Slow down, awaken your senses, and rediscover your innate belonging to the natural world guided by the global leaders in Forest Therapy.
- for anyone curious about forest therapy and beginning their nature connection journey.
- Online - Self Paced
Introduction to Forest Bathing
Deepen your forest bathing practice, explore the science behind it, and remember your relationship with the living world.
- Ideal for those looking to experience the practice before committing to professional training.
- Online - Self Paced
Forest Therapy Guide Certification
A certified training to become a Forest Therapy Guide. English, Spanish and ASL – American Sign Language.
- For those called to become professional Forest Therapy Guides and facilitate transformational experiences in nature.
- In-Person + Online
$3,350 - $3,600
Forest Therapy Guide Certification
in American Sign Language
Making forest therapy accessible to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
- Designed for Deaf or Hard of Hearing individuals who want to become forest therapy guides and sign language interpreters who wish to expand their work into nature.
- In-Person + Online
Relational Forest Therapy
Learn the ANFT way of Forest therapy. Relational and Heart-centered.
- For guides, practitioners, and nature lovers seeking to deepen their personal relationship with the living world.
- Online - Self Paced
Training Immersions
Deepen your skills, confidence, and embodied understanding of relational forest therapy.
- For Forest Therapy Guide Certification students. The second part of your training.
- In-Person
Retreat in the Amazon Forest
Forest Bathing and Nature connection in the heart of the Amazon Forest.
- Open to Everyone
- In-Person
Become a Certified Forest Therapy Guide
Join the movement healing people and planet.
Upcoming Courses and Trainings
A remarkable journey into the heart of the forest, an encounter with the heart of humanity.
Australia, QLD – Daintree Siesta
In-Person Immersion
October 11
- For guides in training and certified guides looking to deepen their practice in person.
- In-Person
Winter Jasmine Cohort
October 26, 2026 to April 26, 2027
- For those called to become professional Forest Therapy Guides
- Online + In-Person
Trillium Cohort – Georgia USA
November 2, 2026 to March 31, 2027
- For those called to become professional Forest Therapy Guides
- In-Person + Online
Upcoming Training Programs.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Take our quick quiz to discover which Forest Therapy path aligns with your goals and experience level.
Free Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About the Forest Therapy Guide Certification Training
What courses does the Academy of Relational Forest Therapy offer?
The Academy is built as a series of doorways. Walk through as many as you like, at your own pace.
What is the First Steps into the Forest course?
A $45 introduction for anyone curious about forest therapy. No experience or background needed. It’s the gentlest possible first step, designed to give you a real taste of the practice before you decide whether to go further.
What is Introduction to Forest Bathing?
For $149, this course goes a layer deeper than the First Steps into the Forest course. It’s a good fit if you’ve already had a taste of forest therapy, a guided walk, or your own reading and want a more complete introduction to the practice before deciding on the full guide certification training.
What is the Relational Forest Therapy Course?
This course is for practicing guides. Whether or not you’re ANFT-certified, who want to deepen their relational practice specifically. It costs $390 for ANFT-certified Forest Therapy Guides, and $690 for guides certified elsewhere or trained through other programs. You do not need to be an ANFT guide to take it.
What is the Forest Therapy Guide Certification Training?
This is our flagship offering. The training that leads to becoming an ANFT certified Forest Therapy Guide. It’s the most in-depth and comprehensive forest therapy training globally, built on more than a decade of experience training guides in over 70 countries.
Unlike self-paced programs, this training is built around live connection: hands-on experiential training, weekly live sessions with seasoned trainers, and a cohort of fellow trainees who learn and grow alongside you. When you begin guiding on your own, your training team is there to support and debrief every walk with you.
Have more questions?
Trusted by Organizations Worldwide
Nature Needs You
Join the movement healing people and planet.
Stay Connected
Get insights, training updates, and nature connection tips delivered to your inbox.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.