What Is a Forest Therapy School?
When people hear the word “therapy,” they often think of psychotherapy. However, there are many types of therapy, including physical therapy, yoga therapy, and, yes, forest therapy.
Forest therapy is rooted in the healing that occurs when we build a relationship with the natural world. It’s not about exercise or reaching a destination. It’s about slowing down, becoming present, and reconnecting with ourselves and with the natural world around us. This is where a forest therapy guide comes in.
Many of us have gone on hikes where the forest becomes a backdrop. We walk, we think about tomorrow, or we replay the past. We may enjoy the movement, but we’re not truly here. In forest therapy, the experience is different. The guide supports you in arriving fully: to your senses, your body, and your surroundings, so that connection can naturally unfold.
A forest therapy school exists to train these guides.
What Does a Forest Therapy School Teach?
A forest therapy school prepares individuals to skillfully guide others into a meaningful relationship with Nature. At its core, a forest therapy school hopefully teaches guides to cultivate presence, embodied awareness, and deep connection, both within themselves and by inviting these qualities to be experienced by those they lead.
Forest therapy guides learn how to:
Offer invitations that deepen sensory awareness and connection
Hold space for silence, reflection, and group sharing
Create a safe, trauma-informed container for participants
Support others without analyzing or “processing” their experience
Work with the natural flow of time rather than rushing it
This work is subtle but powerful. A guide is not there to fix or diagnose, but to witness and support what naturally unfolds.
The Therapeutic Benefits of Forest Therapy…the why behind a forest therapy school
Forest therapy offers a wide range of benefits for the mind, body, and spirit.
Research shows that when humans immerse themselves in Nature, there are measured state shifts:
Lower blood pressure and heart rate
Reduce cortisol levels (the body’s primary stress hormone)
Support immune system functioning, including exposure to beneficial plant compounds
Decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression
Improve mood and overall well-being
But beyond the measurable benefits, there is something deeper happening.
At Heartwood School of Forest Therapy, one of the most important aspects of forest therapy is the restoration of belonging. It is a form of deep soul tending, a remembering that we are not separate from Nature, but part of Nature.
Our ancestors lived in rhythm with the natural world because their survival depended on it. In modern life, many of us have lost that connection. Forest therapy guides help people slow down and re-attune to the rhythms of the earth, whether in a dense forest, a park, or a small patch of green.
Are All Forest Therapy Schools the Same?
No, forest therapy schools can vary widely in quality, depth, and approach.
Currently, there is no universal certifying body that standardizes forest therapy training. This means each school designs its own curriculum.
Some programs are comprehensive and experiential, while others may offer only a surface-level introduction. Some emphasize mindfulness; others integrate somatic awareness; some focus on embodied and relational approaches to Nature connection; and at Heartwood, we focus on all the above.
A strong forest therapy school will:
Provide hands-on practicum experiences
Offer personalized feedback and mentorship
Teach trauma-informed and inclusive practices
Support students in developing their own authentic relationship with Nature
Go beyond theory into lived, embodied experience
How to Choose a Forest Therapy School
Choosing the right forest therapy school is a personal decision.
Start by exploring each program’s website. Notice how it feels to you; often, the tone of a school’s website reflects the culture of the program itself.
You may also want to:
Schedule a call and ask questions
Learn about the instructors and their experience
Consider your learning style (online vs. in-person immersion)
Reflect on your time, budget, and goals
Trust your instincts. The right program often comes with a clear sense of alignment.
Forest therapy training is both a professional pathway and a personal journey. It can deepen your relationship with Nature, expand your capacity to hold space for others, and integrate nature-based practices into your existing work.
Forest Therapy vs. Forest Bathing
You may have heard the term “forestbathing” (or shinrin-yoku). This typically refers to a guided experience, often around two hours, where participants are led through a series of invitations to connect with Nature.
Forest therapy includes forest bathing, but it goes further.
A well-rounded forest therapy school teaches you how to guide these experiences while also expanding beyond the standard model, integrating Nature Connection into your own unique offerings, whether in wellness, education, coaching, or community work.
Who Is Forest Therapy Training For?
Forest therapy training is for anyone who feels called to deepen their relationship with the natural world and share that experience with others.
Many students come from wellness and helping professions: therapists, coaches, educators, and healthcare providers, who want to integrate nature-based practices into their work. Others are outdoor educators, retreat facilitators, or individuals navigating life transitions who feel drawn to a more meaningful, connected way of living.
You don’t need to be an expert in Nature or have prior guiding experience to begin. What matters most is a willingness to slow down, listen, and cultivate presence.
Graduates of forest therapy schools often go on to:
Lead forest bathing and Nature connection experiences
Incorporate forest therapy into existing careers in wellness, education, or coaching
Create retreats, workshops, or community-based offerings
Deepen their own personal and spiritual connection with the land
For some, this becomes a professional path. For others, it is a personal journey that reshapes how they move through the world. In both cases, forest therapy training offers tools and practices that continue to unfold long after the program ends.
A Path of Connection and Belonging
If you feel a pull toward this work, it may be worth exploring further.
Training with a forest therapy school can be a deeply transformative experience. Whether or not you choose to become a guide, the process can awaken a new way of being in relationship with the natural world.
If you’d like to learn more about Heartwood School of Forest Therapy, we’d love to connect. And if another program feels like a better fit, that’s welcome too. At the heart of this work is a shared intention: to restore and deepen the relationship between humans and the more-than-human world. Contact us and start your journey today!