Module
Week
Learning Focus
Emerging Qualities
Soil
2 weeks before
Background and Preparation
Vision
Fire
1
Forest Therapy
Patience
Mycelia
2
The Forest Therapy Guide
Inspiration
Seed
3-4
Way of the Guide
Trust
Roots
5-6
Standard Sequence and Liminality
Acceptance
Seedling
7-8
The Language of Invitation
Simplicity
Trunk
9-10
Bioregional Learning
Sensuousness
Branch
11-12
Senses and Embodiment
Playfulness
Leaf
13-14
The Heart Sense
Creativity
Flower
15-16
Edges and Headroom
Self Discovery
Fruit
17-18
Circle and Witness
Deep Attention
Crown
19-20
Health Science of Forest Therapy
Care
Habitat
21-22
Business of Forest Therapy
Reciprocity
Feast
23
Harvest
Humility
Return
24
Threshold of Initiation
Belonging
The sequence of themes for each module follows the growth cycle of many forest species. These are powerful metaphors for the journey of the individual guide, and of the the whole cohort as a group.
The core training program lasts six months. At the end of the course students earn a provisional certification as a forest therapy guide. After completing the 2nd part of the training, the 4-day in-person immersion, they will get the permanent certificate.
Our curriculum is focused on the Way of the Guide rather than the Way of the Therapist. Our guiding motto is "The Forest is the Therapist; the Guide Opens the Doors."
Many of our trainees report deep personal transformation as a result of their journey to becoming a guide. While much research focuses on physiological health effects, we've observed these emergent properties grow in many guides. This is a major part of what the practice of guiding is about.
