Forest Therapy Course

Lesson 1 • Origins and Cultural History

Traces forest therapy from Japanese Shinrin-yoku and European nature cure traditions to modern practice. Provides historical context that grounds all subsequent learning.

Lesson 2 • Scientific Evidence Base

Reviews peer-reviewed research on physiological and psychological benefits of forest immersion. Equips guides to communicate evidence credibly to clients and organizations.

Lesson 3 • Defining Forest Therapy

Clarifies what forest therapy is and is not by comparing it to hiking, ecotherapy, and wilderness therapy. Establishes precise terminology used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Attention Restoration Theory

Covers Kaplan and Kaplan's framework explaining how natural environments restore directed attention. Guides learn to design walks that maximize restorative potential.

Lesson 2 • Nature Connection Across Populations

Analyzes how age, culture, and prior nature exposure shape individual responses to forest environments. Prepares guides to adapt approaches for diverse client groups.

Lesson 3 • Sensory Engagement and Presence

Investigates how multisensory immersion deepens nature connection and presence. Students practice techniques that activate all senses during guided experiences.

Lesson 4 • Stress Recovery Theory

Examines Ulrich's psychophysiological stress recovery model and its relevance to forest settings. Students connect theory to observable client physiological responses.

Lesson 1 • Forest Types and Characteristics

Surveys major forest biomes and their sensory, ecological, and therapeutic qualities. Guides learn to match forest type to client needs and session goals.

Lesson 2 • Reading the Forest Environment

Develops observational skills for assessing light, sound, moisture, and biodiversity in a site. These skills directly inform site selection and seasonal walk planning.

Lesson 3 • Ecological Stewardship for Guides

Establishes leave-no-trace principles and low-impact facilitation practices for forest settings. Guides internalize stewardship as an ethical and professional obligation.

Lesson 1 • Inclusive and Accessible Design

Examines physical, sensory, and cognitive accessibility considerations for forest therapy programming. Guides adapt routes, invitations, and pacing to serve participants with varied abilities.

Lesson 2 • Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Applies structured risk assessment frameworks to evaluate and reduce identified hazards. Students produce written risk assessments for real or simulated sites.

Lesson 3 • Health Screening and Contraindications

Establishes pre-participation health screening processes and identifies contraindications for forest therapy. Guides learn when to refer clients to healthcare professionals.

Lesson 4 • Hazard Identification in Forest Settings

Trains systematic identification of biological, physical, and weather-related hazards on forest sites. Hazard literacy is the prerequisite for all risk management decisions.

Lesson 1 • The Sharing Circle

Covers facilitation of the sharing circle as a reflective and integrative practice after each invitation. Students learn to witness without interpreting or advising.

Lesson 2 • The Tea Ceremony and Closing Ritual

Explores the role of the tea ceremony and closing ritual in anchoring the therapeutic experience. Students design and practice culturally sensitive closing sequences.

Lesson 3 • The Arc of a Forest Therapy Walk

Introduces the standard structural sequence of a forest therapy walk from arrival to closing circle. Understanding the arc enables guides to hold intentional, coherent sessions.

Lesson 4 • Crafting and Delivering Invitations

Teaches the art of designing open-ended sensory invitations that guide without directing. Students practice invitation language and delivery in field settings.

Lesson 1 • Trauma-Informed Facilitation

Introduces trauma-informed principles and their application to forest therapy facilitation. Guides learn to create safety and avoid re-traumatization without providing therapy.

Lesson 2 • Facilitating Difficult Moments

Prepares guides to respond skillfully to emotional disclosures, conflict, and resistance during walks. Competent handling of difficulty protects participants and preserves session integrity.

Lesson 3 • Understanding Group Dynamics

Examines how group composition, size, and relational dynamics affect the therapeutic environment. Guides learn to read group energy and adjust facilitation accordingly.

Lesson 4 • Co-Facilitation and Supervision

Covers the skills and agreements needed for effective co-facilitation and peer supervision. Students practice structured debriefs that accelerate professional growth.

Lesson 1 • Single-Session Walk Design

Guides students through designing a complete single-session forest therapy walk for a specific population. Each design decision is justified by evidence and facilitation principles.

Lesson 2 • Multi-Session Program Architecture

Covers the design of progressive multi-session programs that deepen nature connection over time. Students map session arcs, themes, and participant progression across a series.

Lesson 3 • Program Evaluation and Iteration

Introduces qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods appropriate for forest therapy programs. Students use evaluation data to refine and improve future program designs.

Lesson 4 • Needs Assessment and Goal Setting

Establishes how to assess client or community needs before designing a program. Accurate needs assessment ensures program relevance and measurable outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Legal and Insurance Considerations

Covers liability, professional indemnity insurance, and regulatory requirements for outdoor health practitioners. Students identify the protections needed before offering services to the public.

Lesson 2 • Marketing and Client Acquisition

Applies ethical marketing principles to attract and retain clients for a forest therapy practice. Students develop a marketing strategy aligned with professional values.

Lesson 3 • Professional Identity and Scope of Practice

Defines the forest therapy guide's professional identity and the boundaries of their scope of practice. Clear scope prevents harm and supports appropriate referral to other professionals.

Lesson 4 • Pricing, Sustainability, and Self-Care

Addresses pricing strategy, financial sustainability, and the guide's own well-being as a professional asset. Sustainable practice requires both financial and personal resilience.