If you are interested in becoming a certified Forest Bathing Guide, then you want a comprehensive course that is well respected and well organised.
In addition, you want a course that has been rigorously checked to ensure it is high quality and will offer you everything you need to be a confident and capable practitioner. Following any investment, you want to feel able to guide others on Forest Bathing sessions and, potentially, start or expand your profitable business.
This is why recognised accreditation was so important to me to obtain for my Forest Bathing Guide Training. It’s a label that I am proud to shout about. In this blog, I wanted to share a bit more about the certification process and why accreditation matters to me.
To learn more about Forest Bathing Guide Training more generally, do explore this post: How do you train in Forest Bathing?
An Introduction to Becoming a Certified Forest Bathing Guide
“What does the training and certification involve?”
If you are exploring Forest Bathing training and you are interested in becoming a guide, then I am going to assume you are familiar with Forest Bathing, also called Forest Therapy or Shinrin Yoku, and its benefits…and that you love it as much as me.
With this in mind, I would love to invite you to take the next step and consider doing your professional training and becoming a Certified Forest Bathing Guide (or Practitioner – use whatever term feels right to you but usually it’s ‘guide’ that’s used). I offer two routes to certification, the signature hybrid learning path with some online learning and a week in the woods in Hampshire, and a fully-online route to certification for those who can’t get to Hampshire. Both involve the same live learning time but the in-person weeks affords more real world practice.
The name of my course is the Accredited Nature Connection & Forest Therapy Guide Certification Programme. Whether you work with me online or in-person, you will receive a comprehensive introduction to becoming a Forest Therapy Guide. I say introduction, because whilst this is a comprehensive programme and you will gain all the base knowledge required to run your own Forest Bathing sessions (and make it a business, if you wish), I believe the true ‘learning’ only really starts (and never really stops) when you are running regular sessions. There is always so much we can learn from our participants and from nature, and every session is different. I say that after almost 6 years of guiding regularly!
Explore the training and download the application pack here: https://adoreyouroutdoors.co.uk/forestbathingguidetraining/
Forest Bathing Training Course Accreditation
“What does an ‘accredited’ Forest Bathing Guide training mean?”
You have probably noticed that there are several Forest Bathing practitioner courses to choose from. They vary in content, method, duration etc, and not all are accredited or certify you to guide others. So be mindful when you’re choosing the one for you.
And, whilst I believe my experience and a special blend of ‘Sonya Sauce’ makes me an excellent choice of tutor, I realised the course also needed to be externally recognised as offering a high standard of training. The testimonials speak for themselves, but I knew my Forest Bathing Guide Training Programme deserved formal accreditation too. So, in 2024 I took the leap and submitted the course to be assessed by The Complementary Medical Association (CMA). And in 2025 I added the Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL) to the list!
Why CMA?
The CMA shares many values and a vision that is aligned with Adore Your Outdoors.
The CMA was established in 1993 and they are dedicated to “representing the professional face of complementary medicine”. They feel strongly about ethical practice, as well as improving the professional profile and views of complementary medicine. They provide both the public and medical profession with effective and compassionate healthcare.
Becoming a Certified Forest Bathing Guide with me now means you have the opportunity to become a member of the CMA too.
Why IOL?
The Institute for Outdoor Learning is the professional body for organisations and individuals who use the outdoors to make a positive difference to others. They are a charity, driven by a vision of Outdoor Learning as a highly valued form of development, education and employment in UK society.
Their accreditation helps us demonstrate that our programme is well designed, fit for outdoor learning professionals and commitmed to good practice and quality assurance.
Currently the IOL Trustees are working on a project to create its own exemplar model of ‘Nature on hte Board’, something I wholeheartedly support.
Accreditation is not easy to achieve – believe me! However, I feel it was completely worth it, as it shows you that the programme meets the CMA’s and IOL’s stringent standards for quality and excellence.
The accreditations give students a sense of legitimacy and confidence in their investment. They only offer accreditation to courses that offer a rigorous curriculum so, this is confirmed as top-tier training.
Benefits of Accreditation and Certification for you as a Forest Bathing Practitioner
“Why is certification important for Forest Bathing guides?”
In addition to my own desires of having my programme professionally recognised, I was determined to achieve external validation for my students.
There are a range of courses to choose from, but by taking an accredited course and becoming a certified Forest Bathing guide by the end, you get:
- Enhanced credibility
- Professional recognition
- Increased earning potential
- A higher level of pride in your qualification
- A comprehensive foundation
- Confidence for your future clients.
Becoming a Certified Forest Bathing Guide
“Is a certified Forest Bathing training course difficult and time consuming?”
Because this is an accredited and certified course, yes, the training is rigorous and it cannot be rushed through. However, as mentioned above I do offer two routes to certification to accommodate students’ different requirements and preferences for learning.
Understanding the course coverage
The Theory
The entire curriculum includes in-depth modules on the ethics, principles, history and philosophy of Nature Connection and Forest Bathing, as well as elements of psychology, spirituality and the latest science behind the techniques. Students go on their own journeys as they explore and deepen their personal connections to nature. So many see how much more there is to life than the daily drudge of the mundane.
The Practical
In addition to the theory, there’s a huge section on mastering the art of Shinrin Yoku;
- the practicalities (safety, location, communications, inclusion, challenges)
- the process and model (best practice, timing, thresholds)
- 50+ ‘done for you’ Forest Therapy invitations
- guidance on connecting with the elements, tuning into the senses and using the Japanese language to craft your own
- creating and holding the therapeutic container for a variety of customer types
- ensuring you close the experience effectively.
This is the case for both the fully online and hybrid learning paths, but truthfully the hybrid course with the in-person week gives you the absolute best learning experience because of the face to face real world practice with actual participants and customers.
Putting it into practice
Finally, to support you in starting up, we discuss how to launch or expand your sustainable business. We cover your business model, financial, legal and regulatory requirements, sales, marketing and operations strategy and more, to help you combine purpose with profit. We also do a deep dive into each of the different customer types and you get ‘done for you’ session plans for each. This is important because I want to help you to start a successful new business venture or add an additional revenue stream.
Understanding the course assessments
Different types of assessments underpin all areas of training to ensure you feel confident in your learning and growing knowledge. There is a range of practical role plays, coursework assignments and an open book exam.
I know this level of assessment might put you off, but my course is designed to prepare you to succeed in delivering excellent, fun and therapeutic experiences for your customers. After a 5-year study, the NHS backs Forest Bathing as equally effective as some already supported therapies – yay! So with that, and the obvious health benefits coming from the natural world, it is now an approved NHS ‘green social prescription’. Learn more about that here. So you want to be ready to respond when called upon later.
With this in mind, the coursework assignments are deliberately varied and valuable. It is not all written assessment either. There is an opportunity for audio, video, sketches, photography, and a whole range of creativity (if that’s your bag).
Certification can happen after successful completion of all assignments, including the exam. Plus, I insist that you have in place both your business insurance and a first aid qualification. To reiterate, we need to be ready to respond to demand when it comes. This is about future proofing.
Taking Pride in Forest Bathing as a Profession
“Can I be a Forest Bathing guide without taking a course?”
I believe our role is very important. Together with the natural world we are facilitating a transformative therapeutic experience for participants. And often this intervention is profound.
Strictly speaking, there is no requirement for a qualification or registration when becoming a certified Forest Bathing Guide in the UK. However, when you have the wellbeing of others in your hands, I consider it essential that guides are properly trained. And who knows what the future holds?
There are also many ethical elements surrounding what we offer. I cannot say it enough, I feel it is important that for credibility, all Forest Bathing practitioners are well-trained and competent.
If you share this passion and belief, then come and help to grow the Forest Bathing Revolution. Train to be a Certified Forest Bathing practitioner so you can benefit from the roadmap to a business rooted in nature. And be your own boss while creating a deeper human : nature connection for you, your clients and the future of our planet.
You can find out more here: https://adoreyouroutdoors.co.uk/forestbathingguidetraining/
