Forest therapy TRaINING

Become a Certified Forest Therapy Guide

This personalized, one-on-one forest therapy certification program weaves together mindfulness, nature connection, and heart-centered mentorship—all on a flexible schedule that honors your life.

Are you feeling called to deepen your relationship with nature and help others do the same?

Become a Certified Forest Therapy Guide through a mindfulness-based forest therapy certification program designed to deeply connect you with nature and prepare you to guide others on their journeys.

Whether you’re beginning this path for your own healing or feel inspired to guide others in reconnecting with the Earth, the Forest Therapy Certification Apprenticeship offers a personal, flexible, and heart-led way to become certified.

Learn online or on land.

Led by Julie Sczerbinski, former co-founder of The Forest Therapy School, this one-on-one training meets you where you are—on your schedule, at your pace, and with the individualized support you need to become a confident, heart-centered forest therapy guide.

The Forest Therapy Certification Apprenticeship is available as a 3-month training online, or a 3-day training on land at our Blue Ridge Mountain location in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. It is intentionally designed to move at a rhythm that works for your life.

Together, you and Julie will co-create a schedule of sessions that honors your time and energy—whether that’s weekly, monthly, or something in between.

With a blend of live guidance from an experienced mentor, a comprehensive curriculum, and space for integration, this training supports you in developing the skills and confidence to guide others with care.

What you will Learn

During your training, you’ll learn the foundational skills and practices that make up the art of guiding.

Here's a glimpse of what’s covered:

The History & Science Behind Forest Therapy: Learn the origins of forest bathing and explore the research-backed benefits of this mindful practice.

The Role of a Guide: Discover what it means to hold space as a forest therapy guide, leading with presence and care. 

Nature-Based Mindfulness Practices: Deepen your awareness with grounding practices that support embodiment, stillness, and presence in the natural world.

Awakening the Senses: Understand how sensory awareness opens a doorway to deeper connection with the Earth and with ourselves.

Guided Nature Meditations: Develop the skills to lead gentle, sensory meditations that help others slow down and connect.

Planning & Guiding a Forest Therapy Session: Learn a proven sequence that offers structure while allowing space for intuition and creativity.

Crafting Invitations: Practice creating open-ended, nature-inspired invitations that spark curiosity and meaningful engagement.

Personalizing Your Session: Find your own guiding style and learn how to bring your unique magic to every experience.

Group Facilitation: Build confidence in group dynamics, listening, and compassionate communication.

The Deeper Connection: Explore the spiritual and psychological threads that weave us into the living fabric of the natural world.

The Program Details

  • Forest Therapy Certification Online

    A 3-month online forest therapy certification program facilitated over Zoom, allowing you to learn from the comfort of your home and the land you love

    $1200 USD

    (Payment plans available)

    YOUR TRAINING INCLUDES:

    (6) 60-minute or (12) 30-minute 1:1 sessions with Julie

    Unlimited email support throughout your apprenticeship and beyond

    (2) Forest therapy sessions

    Curated resource listof books, articles, and films for continued learning

    A library of research studies to support the science behind your work

    100 nature connection invitations to deepen client engagement

    A ready-to-use slide presentation to grow you guide business

    Invitation to a private online community of fellow guides

    Lifetime access to your training guidebook with all future updates included

  • Forest Therapy Certification On Land

    A 3-days, 3-nights in-person forest therapy certification program held at our Blue Ridge Mountain location in Meadows of Dan, Virginia

    $1895 USD

    (Payment plans available)

    YOUR TRAINING INCLUDES:

    Immersive, all-day learning and support directly with Julie. 

    Private bedroom & bath accommodations for 3-nights

    (2) Forest therapy sessions

    Time for personal reflection—journal, rest, or simply be

    Unlimited email support once you return home

    Curated resource list of books, articles, and films for continued learning

    A library of research studies to support the science behind your work

    100 nature connection invitations to deepen client engagement

    A ready-to-use slide presentation to grow your guide business

    Invitation to a private online community of fellow guides

    Lifetime access to your training guidebook with all future updates included

Embark on this transformative journey Today

Start down the path to become a Certified Forest Therapy Guide in a training program rooted in heart, flexibility, and deep connection to the land.

Ready to get started? Connect with Julie for a free discovery call to ask questions and take the first step toward certification.

What Our Students Are Saying

  • Julie is a faithful practitioner of everything she teaches and it shows. Her years of guiding experience coupled with her expertise in teaching these skills to others inspires me to be my best and to inhabit my own voice. Julie embodies both a gentle and fierce spirit which is essential for guiding anyone to do their best and the curriculum is clearly written and easy to follow. She's curious about my own relationship to the forest and weaves my experience into everything she teaches. Trusting her program is the first step in trusting yourself to become the guide you want to be.

    — Meredith Candler

  • Julie is one of the best instructors I've had in over 30 years of various trainings. Her teaching style is warm, deeply knowledgeable, and encouraging, and because of her curiosity and capacity for truly listening, she has an amazing way of supporting the learner to find and connect with their own style and strengths. I found the curriculum to be thorough, incredibly organized, and a fabulous resource for any needs I might have moving forward as a forest therapy guide. She has continued to be supportive, interested, and helpful to all the guides who received her training and remains a wonderful resource after completing guide training.

    — Lenora Arrington, PsyD

  • Julie is an excellent mentor and guide. Her authenticity and heart-centered approach, love of nature and desire to share her knowledge is truly the best. The entire curriculum is amazing. It's one of my favorite training programs ever!

    — M. Sidoti

  • What a joy it was to witness you in action, to learn from and be motivated by your gorgeous commitment to heralding the trees and heartening human's engagement with our fantastic forests. Thank you for supporting and inspiring me to help more people connect with the roots and trunks in their own backyards.

    — Julie B.

HAVE Questions?

Book a complimentary 30-minute session with Julie to get answers.