The use of a forest therapy guide helps the participant utilize forest therapy by acting as a guide through the process.

It is the guide that leads the participants on the walks and who design the trails they base the spots where they would open up invitations. The question of how these guides become certified and by who may be a gray area and this post should hopefully answer these questions in greater detail.

To understand the who, what, when, where, and whys of forest therapy can always be answered on the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs website.

What makes the ANFT unique is their legitimacy. The ANFT is able to boast that they have trained guides in countries and continents all over the world, and they have the highest number of trained guides compared to other organizations.

As forest therapy guide Suzann Schiemer described in her interview, the forest therapy guide certification is intensive. The training begins with a week-long heavy session that occurs at an on-site location. Next is a six-month practicum that is completed with the help and guidance from an appointed mentor.

The curriculum studied during the practicum covers a plethora of topics to help prepare the guides for the range of experiences participants may encounter during the walk and how to understand the ecology of the forest they are in.

Some of the topics listed on the ANFT site include:

• The technique of forest therapy
• Pedagogy and nature mentoring
• Trail safety procedures
• Expressive arts
• Somatic awareness methods
• How to perform invitations
• And more!

How can I become certified?

If you wish to become involved and learn the practice of forest therapy yourself, the ANFT has a link on their page to begin the certification process. The ANFT will review the application, and encourage motivated individuals to apply even if they do not have an ecological background.

Response on the application should take around three weeks, so if you could see yourself becoming a mentor, sign up!