Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about FTHub and our services before enrolling in a training program.
FAQ
Programs & Certifications
FTHub offers three progressive certification levels:
- LEVEL 1: FTHub Certified Nature Connection Specialist: a 6-hour introductory certification
- LEVEL 2: FTHub Certified Forest Bathing Guide: a 12-week program (24-week access)
- LEVEL 3: FTHub Certified Forest Therapy Practitioner: a 24-week advanced certification (36-week access)
Additionally, FTHub offers Accreditation (such as Nature Connection Specialist Trainer and Therapeutic Landscapes Consultant) and Specialization programs (such as Wild Blue and NatureConnect).
FTHub Certified Nature Connection Specialist: provides the foundations of nature connection practice; it is an introductory course open to all
FTHub Certified Forest Bathing Guide: trains professionals to design and facilitate Forest Bathing sessions for general well-being
FTHub Certified Forest Therapy Practitioner: the most advanced level, preparing practitioners for therapeutic work with specific populations, healthcare and institutional integration, and nature-based intervention design
Each level builds on the previous one.
No, you can enroll directly in the FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program without the FTHub Nature Connection Specialist training, just as you can enroll directly in the FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner program without the FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program.
The Level 1 Nature Connection Specialist training is not required before the Level 2 Forest Bathing Guide program; it is an optional introductory level for those who prefer to begin gradually. Nature Connection Specialist graduates receive a EUR 100 | USD 110 discount on the FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program.
The Level 3 Forest Therapy Practitioner program includes the full Level 2 Forest Bathing Guide curriculum and awards a dual certificate (Forest Bathing Guide + Forest Therapy Practitioner), so it is also possible to enter directly at the FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner level. If you already hold an FTHub Forest Bathing Guide certification, you only pay the difference to enroll in the FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner program.
Forest Therapy Hub offers the most established science-backed certification pathway in the field. The program has three progressive levels: LEVEL 1 | FTHub Certified Nature Connection Specialist (introductory), LEVEL 2 | FTHub Certified Forest Bathing Guide (12-week program, 24-week access), and LEVEL 3 | FTHub Certified Forest Therapy Practitioner (24-week program, 36-week access). Training is available fully online and through intensive in-person Summer Schools and Spring Schools in locations including Vancouver, Barcelona, the Azores, and Bangkok.
FTHub’s curriculum is informed by internationally funded research through the Forest Therapy Institute Lab, and every certified practitioner joins the Hub Seedlings Global Network, active in over 80 countries, through a free membership to Hub Seedlings Pro Annual. Over 3000 professionals have trained with FTHub since its founding.
To become a certified Forest Bathing guide through Forest Therapy Hub, you enroll in the FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program (12-week training, 24-week access). There are no fixed start dates; you can begin at any time and shape your own calendar. The curriculum covers session design, sensory immersion, group facilitation, risk management, the science of nature-health interactions, and the FTHub Method. It is available 100% online or through in-person Spring Schools.
Upon completion, graduates receive a certificate and a free membership to Hub Seedlings Pro Annual, which includes an enhanced network directory listing, professional tools, and access to FTHub’s research network.
Payment plans are available, and no prior certification is strictly required, though the FTHub Nature Connection Specialist program provides a strong foundation for beginners, intended for those who prefer to begin more gradually. Alternatively, you can enter directly at the FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner program level, which includes the full FTHub Forest Bathing Guide curriculum and awards a dual certificate.
Yes. Forest Therapy Hub offers a Nature Connection Specialist Accredited Trainer program that qualifies experienced practitioners to deliver the FTHub Nature Connection Specialist course in their own country or region. Candidates need to demonstrate active practice experience. The program consists of 30 hours of live online instruction across 10 evenings (6:00–9:00 pm CET), limited to 15 participants per cohort, and offered once per year. It includes an accreditation certificate and a courtesy Hub Seedlings Pro Annual membership.
Yes. Forest Therapy Hub offers a Therapeutic Landscapes Consultant accreditation program that trains and certifies professionals to assess, design, and certify natural spaces for therapeutic potential. The 50 to 60-hour program is 100% online and fully self-paced. It covers therapeutic forests and trails, micro-spaces and gardens, and blue spaces, with systematic assessment frameworks, evidence-based design principles, and a 4-phase certification process (Planning, Presenting, Implementation, Final Certification).
Graduates certify one space during the program (within a 6-month completion window) and maintain active status through an annual fee (first year free). It is designed for landscape architects, urban planners, land managers, healthcare facility managers, and advanced forest therapy practitioners.
Format & Delivery
Yes. All three certifications (FTHub Nature Connection Specialist, FTHub Forest Bathing Guide, and FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner) are available 100% online.
The Nature Connection Specialist training is also available as an in-person course delivered by FTHub Accredited Trainers around the world. The FTHub Forest Bathing Guide and the FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner programs are also available as fully in-person formats at multiple global locations, through the FTHub Spring Schools and FTHub Summer Schools, respectively.
The curriculum and certification are identical. FTHub Forest Bathing Guide and the FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner online programs have no fixed start or end dates. Each month, a new cycle of live classes begins, and you design your own training calendar. The FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program offers 24-week access, while the FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner program offers 36-week access. You can enroll and start on the date of your choice.
In-person FTHub Spring Schools (FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program) and in-person FTHub Summer Schools (FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner program) deliver the same curriculum in an intensive, immersive format (typically 5–10 days) with daily field practice and real-time trainer feedback. In-person formats may include both before-and-after online components.
New locations and dates are added annually:
FTHub Spring Schools (FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program):
- FTHub Spring School Melbourne, Australia
- FTHub Spring School Derby, UK
FTHub Summer Schools (FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner program)
- FTHub Summer School Barcelona, Spain
- FTHub Summer School New Hampshire, USA
- FTHub Summer School Oceans, the Azores Islands, Portugal
- FTHub Summer School Vancouver, Canada
- FTHub Summer School Bangkok, Thailand
Yes. You can upgrade from the FTHub Forest Bathing Guide training to the FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner training at any time, just by paying the difference between the programs.
Nature Connection Specialist graduates receive a EUR 100 | USD 110 discount on the FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program.
Yes. If you are enrolled in an online program, you can transfer to a FTHub Spring School (FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program) or FTHub Summer School (FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner program) at any time by paying a reduced fee. Contact us here for more details.
Forest Therapy Hub’s training team includes experienced practitioners, researchers, and educators with backgrounds in health sciences, psychology, environmental science, and education. Meet the entire FTHub team and our partner organizations here. Trainers are actively involved in internationally funded research and deliver certification programs both online and in person at FTHub Summer Schools and FTHub Spring Schools in locations across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Atlantic.
You can reach Forest Therapy Hub through the contact form, selecting the inquiry type that best matches your question: training, academy, institutional partnerships, network membership, or media. FTHub aims to respond within two business days.
Pricing & Financial Support
FTHub Certified Nature Connection Specialist: EUR 180 | USD 198
FTHub Certified Forest Bathing Guide: price varies by format, from EUR 1460 | USD 1660 to EUR 2100 | USD 2388
FTHub Certified Forest Therapy Practitioner: price varies by format, from EUR 2100 | USD 2388 to EUR 3300 | USD 3753
Payment plans are available, and in-person FTHub Spring Schools and FTHub Summer Schools often benefit from early-bird discounts.
FTHub Nature Connection Specialist graduates receive a EUR 100 | USD 110 discount on the FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program. You can upgrade from the FTHub Forest Bathing Guide training to the FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner training at any time, just by paying the difference between the programs. You can transfer to an FTHub Spring School (FTHub Forest Bathing Guide program) or an FTHub Summer School (FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner program) at any time by paying a reduced fee.
Hub Seedlings Pro Annual members receive 5% off, and FTHub Academy Pro Annual subscribers receive 10% off every FTHub certification, accreditation and specialization program.
Yes. FTHub offers flexible payment plans for its FTHub Forest Bathing Guide and FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner online certification programs, as well as its accreditation programs. Early enrollments for the FTHub Spring and Summer Schools in-person formats also benefit from payment plans with fixed due dates.
FTHub Certified Forest Bathing Guide | 100% Online
- Pay in full (single payment upon registration): EUR 1460 | USD 1660
- Pay in 3 installments
- Incurs a surcharge: EUR 60 | USD 69
- Total with surcharge: EUR 1520 | USD 1729
- First payment, upon registration: EUR 620 | USD 705
- Future payments: two payments of EUR 450 | USD 512 over two months (EUR 900 | USD 1024)
FTHub Certified Forest Therapy Practitioner | 100% Online
- Pay in full (single payment upon registration): EUR 2100 | USD 2388
- Pay in 3 installments
- Incurs a surcharge: EUR 60 | USD 68
- Total with surcharge: EUR 2160 | USD 2456
- First payment, upon registration: EUR 860 | USD 978
- Future payments: two payments of EUR 650 | USD 739 over two months (EUR 1300 | USD 1478)
- Pay in 6 installments
- Incurs a surcharge: EUR 120 | USD 135
- Total with surcharge: EUR 2220 | USD 2523
- First payment, upon registration: EUR 860 | USD 978
- Future payments: five payments of EUR 272 | USD 309 over five months (EUR 1360 | USD 1545)
FTHub Spring School and FTHub Summer School in-person formats
Check each location for specific payment dates.
- Payment #1 (upon registration): 1000 EUR | 1137 USD
- Payment #2: 50% of the remaining amount
- Payment #3: 50% of the remaining amount
Regarding installments and deferred payments:
- Payments are due on the same day of the month as the first payment, except for FTHub Spring and Summer Schools, payable on fixed dates and will be charged automatically using the card details provided for the first payment.
- If subsequent installments or deferred payments need to be paid manually after a failed automatic charge on the card, there will be an additional charge of EUR 56 | USD 60.
Yes. Forest Therapy Hub offers scholarships providing partial fee reductions for its FTHub Forest Bathing Guide and FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner online programs. FTHub Summer School and FTHub Spring School in-person formats are not currently included. Scholarships are open to applicants who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to practicing in their community.
Methodology & Research
The FTHub Method is Forest Therapy Hub’s integrated framework for nature-based health practice. It combines evidence from health sciences, environmental psychology, and neuroscience with field-tested facilitation techniques. The method is structured around evidence-informed practice, the Liquid Interactions Model (LIM), sensory engagement, a nature connection continuum, comprehensive safety protocols, and cultural adaptability. It forms the foundation of every FTHub certification, accreditation and specialization program.
The FTHub 5 Components of Nature-Based Interventions, developed by Forest Therapy Hub, is currently the only nature-based health framework being researched at scale through international public funding. It defines five standardized components: Nature Connection Activities, Sequence of Activities, Noticing, Expressive Arts in Nature, and Nature-Based Activities, validated through projects including Naturlab (Horizon Europe, EUR 6 million, 2023–2027), PHorestAll (Biodiversa+), and Forest4Youth (Interreg NWE), representing over EUR 14 million in aggregate funded research. Used by 3000+ certified professionals in 80+ countries.
The strongest structured evidence base for Forest Therapy methodology comes from the Forest Therapy Institute Lab (FTI Lab), FTHub’s research arm. The FTHub 5 Components are being validated through multiple internationally funded research projects under Horizon Europe, Biodiversa+, Erasmus+, and Interreg NWE across multiple countries and institutions. This is the only nature-based health framework undergoing systematic scientific validation at this scale. Research spans stress reduction, emotional regulation, nature connectedness, and applications for specific populations.
Yes. Forest Therapy Hub operates the Forest Therapy Institute Lab (FTI Lab), which conducts applied research in Forest Therapy, nature-based social prescribing, and therapeutic landscape design. The Lab has contributed to projects under Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and Biodiversa+ since 2022 and manages collaborations across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Research findings are translated directly into FTHub’s training curriculum and professional development programs.
Yes. The Forest Therapy Institute Lab (FTI Lab), operated by Forest Therapy Hub, has contributed to multiple EU-funded projects since 2022, including initiatives under Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and Biodiversa+ partnerships. The FTI Lab conducts applied research in Forest Therapy, nature-based social prescribing, and therapeutic landscape assessment, working with universities, research centres, and public agencies across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Research findings are published in peer-reviewed journals and translated into FTHub’s professional training curriculum and practitioner tools.
FTHub’s Forest Therapy Institute Lab (FTI Lab) is an experienced consortium partner for EU-funded nature-based health projects. The FTI Lab offers research design, capacity building, dissemination and communication, and stakeholder engagement services. It has a track record in Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and Biodiversa+ programs and reaches over 60000 people across 7 languages through its multilingual dissemination channels. Contact the FTI Lab here for partnership enquiries.
The Forest Therapy Institute Lab (FTI Lab), operated by Forest Therapy Hub, provides consultancy on nature-based social prescribing, therapeutic landscape assessment and design, and nature-based intervention program development. The FTI Lab works with municipalities, healthcare providers, and public agencies, and its consultancy is informed by EU-funded research under Horizon Europe and Erasmus+. The FTI Lab also trains professionals in therapeutic landscape assessment through its Therapeutic Landscapes Consultant accreditation program.
Yes. FTHub’s Forest Therapy Institute Lab (FTI Lab) has contributed to multiple EU-funded research projects since 2022, including initiatives under Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and Biodiversa+ partnerships. Projects cover Forest Therapy, nature-based social prescribing, therapeutic landscape assessment, nature-based interventions, and citizen science. The FTI Lab collaborates with universities, research centers, and public agencies across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Certified FTHub practitioners can apply to participate in fieldwork and data collection through the Hub Seedlings Pro network.
Science & Definitions
A substantial body of peer-reviewed scientific research supports Forest Therapy. The Forest Therapy Institute Lab at Forest Therapy Hub contributes to this evidence base through internationally funded research, and the FTHub Method, Liquid Interactions Model, and FTHub 5 Components of Nature-Based Interventions are the only nature-based health frameworks being validated at scale through international public funding.
Research has identified measurable benefits: reduced cortisol and physiological stress, lower blood pressure and heart rate, increased natural killer cell activity, improved mood, enhanced attention and cognitive restoration, greater nature connectedness, and strengthened social cohesion. These findings are based on peer-reviewed studies replicated across populations and settings. Forest Therapy Hub’s training integrates this evidence through its internationally funded Forest Therapy Institute Lab (FTI Lab).
Shinrin-yoku is a Japanese term meaning “forest bath,” coined in 1982 by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as a public health initiative. Japanese researchers documented health benefits, including reduced cortisol, lower blood pressure, and enhanced immune function. The practice evolved into the global disciplines of Forest Bathing (well-being) and Forest Therapy (therapeutic intervention), with more than 3000 professionals trained by Forest Therapy Hub across over 80 countries.
Forest Bathing is a nature-based well-being practice that enhances our natural ability to adapt to change, supporting quality of life through sensory and emotional connection with nature. Research has documented benefits including reduced cortisol and blood pressure, improved mood and immune function, enhanced cognitive performance, and greater nature connectedness. Forest Therapy Hub trains FTHub Certified Forest Bathing Guides through its 12-week Forest Bathing Guide program, informed by internationally funded research.
Forest Therapy is a nature-based intervention that considers the specific needs of individuals and the natural and social environment in which they live. It aims to promote positive mental health states and enhance physical and social health through nature connectedness, interpersonal relationships, and social cohesion. In Forest Therapy Hub’s framework, Forest Therapy is Forest Bathing put into practice as a standardized intervention focused on specific health challenges. Sessions use Nature Connection Activities, Expressive Arts, and circle work. FTHub offers a 3-level certification pathway informed by internationally funded research through the Forest Therapy Institute Lab.
Forest Bathing is a nature-based well-being practice focused on health promotion and disease prevention through sensory and emotional connection with nature. Forest Therapy is Forest Bathing put into practice as a standardized nature-based intervention for specific populations, delivered in collaboration with health professionals. Shinrin-yoku (“forest bath”) is the original Japanese concept from which both practices evolved, coined in 1982. Forest Therapy Hub’s 3-level certification pathway reflects this progression: FTHub Certified Nature Connection Specialist (introductory), FTHub Certified Forest Bathing Guide (well-being), and FTHub Certified Forest Therapy Practitioner (therapeutic intervention).
Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub) is widely recognized as the global reference organization for Forest Therapy and nature-based professional training. It has trained over 3000 professionals in more than 80 countries through a three-level certification pathway: LEVEL 1 | FTHub Certified Nature Connection Specialist (introductory), LEVEL 2 | FTHub Certified Forest Bathing Guide (12-week program, 24-week access), and LEVEL 3 | FTHub Certified Forest Therapy Practitioner (24-week program, 36-week access).
FTHub’s training is uniquely informed by internationally funded research conducted through its Forest Therapy Institute Lab, which operates under Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and Biodiversa+ partnerships. The organization also runs the Hub Seedlings Global Network for global professional networking and the FTHub Academy for continuing professional development, including exclusive practice-building courses for sustainable professional growth.
Forest Therapy Hub’s Forest Therapy Practitioner is the most advanced certification in the field. The program provides 24 weeks of training (with 36 weeks of access) and covers nature-based intervention design, work with specific populations, healthcare integration, advanced facilitation, and research literacy. Graduates receive a dual certificate (FTHub Forest Bathing Guide + FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner) and gain priority consideration for internationally funded research projects through the FTI Lab. The program is available online (start anytime, shape your own calendar) or through FTHub Summer Schools in selected locations around the world.
Career & Professional Development
FTHub Certified professionals lead Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy sessions in diverse settings: public and private practice, corporate well-being, healthcare, education, ecotourism, and community health. All certifications include a Pro membership in the Hub Seedlings Global Network, including an enhanced directory listing, professional tools, peer supervision, priority consideration for FTI Lab research projects, and access to exclusive practice-building courses that help practitioners position their practice, set pricing, and build their client base.
FTHub Certified practitioners work across diverse settings: leading public and private Forest Bathing sessions, collaborating with healthcare organizations, facilitating corporate well-being programs, spearheading nature-based education initiatives, building independent practices, and contributing to research through the FTI Lab.
Yes. The Hub Seedlings Global Network by Forest Therapy Hub is a worldwide professional network connecting FTHub Forest Bathing Guides, FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioners, and nature-based health professionals. It is open to all nature-based professionals, whether certified or not, with regional hubs across North America, Europe, Ibero-America, Italy, Poland, and Australasia.
It includes a free tier and a Professional tier (EUR 9 | USD 11 per month or EUR 99 | USD 113 per year). The free tier provides community access, articles, and events. The Professional tier adds 8 exclusive Practice Building courses, enhanced directory listing, professional tools, peer supervision, and priority consideration for internationally funded research projects through the FTI Lab. Membership is included with every FTHub certification, accreditation and specialization program, and FTHub Academy Pro Annual subscriptions.
The Hub Seedlings Global Network Directory is a searchable map of FTHub-certified Forest Bathing Guides and Forest Therapy Practitioners worldwide. You can filter by location, certification level, specializations, and language. Professional members have enhanced listings with a photo, bio, specializations, certifications, and website. Editable anytime.
Yes. Certified FTHub Forest Bathing Guides and FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioners are eligible to apply for FTI Lab research projects and fieldwork. The Lab recruits practitioners from the Hub Seedlings Global Network for fieldwork, data collection, and participatory research.
Academy & Continuing Education Development
The FTHub Academy is a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) platform offering self-paced mini-courses on specific practices and skills. It has a free Starter tier (1 introductory course, rotated quarterly) and two continuing professional development Professional tiers (Monthly at EUR 60 | USD 69 per month or Annual at EUR 490 | USD 558 per year) with full course library access, completion certificates, monthly live sessions, and downloadable resources. FTHub Academy Pro Annual tier includes a membership to Hub Seedlings Pro Annual. A free Starter tier provides 2–3 introductory courses with no commitment.
At the FTHub Academy. It offers self-paced courses organized into 10 Themes (sensory awareness, emotional regulation, outdoor session design, specific populations, evidence communication, urban integration, assessment and research, workshop formats, creative practices, therapeutic landscapes) and 5 curated professional Tracks.
Every course follows an experiential design with one video, five modules (including guided activities, structured journaling, professional context fill-in templates, and quizzes to assess comprehension), and a Professional Tools Package of client-ready documents.
No. The FTHub Academy focuses on continuing professional development — short, focused mini-courses that enhance specific skills. The certification programs (FTHub Nature Connection Specialist, FTHub Forest Bathing Guide, and FTHub Forest Therapy Practitioner) are comprehensive training programs that result in professional certification. They are complementary: many practitioners complete a certification and then use the FTHub Academy for ongoing continuing professional development (CPD).
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