Forest Therapy Guide Trainings
A remarkable journey into the heart of the forest; an encounter with the heart of humanity.
- The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs
Becoming a Certified
Forest Therapy Guide
Stepping onto the path of forest therapy and becoming a certified guide has been one of the most significant milestones of my life. Trailblazing this work in Singapore and this part of the world, I have guided hundreds of forest therapy walks and thousands of participants.
I am humbled to be able to share this heart-centered, relational practice as a Senior Trainer with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) — the global leader in Forest Therapy.
If you feel called to answer the Forest’s invitation, I look forward to supporting you, and walking alongside as you step into presence and growth in the forest.
With love, Youmin
Forest Therapy Guide Training
Structure and Curriculum
The course is transformational and intensive. The 6-month course will cover various aspects of forest therapy. But more than learning to guide successfully, it is a course that will translate many areas of forest therapy into your daily living.
From live content sessions, to trainer-led remote walks, to group discussion calls, to trainees' walk debrief calls and more, the training is designed in a way that will gently guide you through all the steps and processes to integrate and deepen the learning in your head, body and heart.
The 6-month curriculum includes modules such as:
The Way of the Guide
The ANFT Standard Sequence
Language of Invitation,
Heart Sense
The Edges and Headroom of Guiding and more
For the full curriculum, please visit www.anft.earth.
Each element is designed to help you embody the practice, strengthen your guiding voice, and gain confidence in holding brave, heartful spaces.
Upcoming Training Programs
Each training cohort is a season of growth, held in a supportive community, guided by Youmin Yap — Singapore’s pioneer in forest therapy and an ANFT Senior Trainer.
For detailed curriculum information and registration, please visit the respective cohort links.
Camellia Forest
25 June 2026 - 25 December 2026
Trainers:
Youmin Yap (Singapore) &
Amanda Yik (Hong Kong)
Meet-the-Trainers Call on 21 May 2026, 7:30 pm Singapore.
Komorebi 木漏れ日
29 July 2026 - 29 January 2027
Trainers:
Youmin Yap (Singapore) &
Darlene Rooney-Keller (USA)
Meet-the-Trainers Call on 25 June 2026, 8:30 am Singapore.
If enrolment for the current cohorts has closed, join the interest list below — we’ll email you as soon as the next guide training program opens.
From Training to Transformation
Growth, Skills, and Community you can expect
A Journey of Growth
More than a certification; it is a process of becoming. Many describe growing from searching to centering, from uncertainty to confidence, from stress to calm. Like the forest itself, growth here unfolds in rhythms and seasons — gentle, patient, transformative.
Coupled with poignant and reflective questions, and an international community of diverse cultures, you begin to open perspectives and perhaps change the lenses you see your world with.
Guiding with Confidence
You will be confident to lead forest therapy walks, craft invitations that invite person-centered discovery, awaken presence, and hold inclusive spaces for people of all walks of life.
The training bridges the science of Forest Therapy with the art of holding space and radical presence. The results: the becoming of a guide who is both credible, and deeply human.
Growth, Skills & Guidance
Guiding is beautiful, but it is not without its challenges. Youmin keeps it real — sharing openly from years of experience in the field.
From practical solutions to hard-earned insights, you’ll receive honest guidance that prepares you for both the seen and unseen parts of being a guide. Nothing is held back — every lesson, every tip, every quiet knowing is offered, so you can step into guiding with clarity, courage, and heart.
Who is this Forest Therapy Guide Training for?
This training is for those who feel the call to serve — and for those who feel a deep love for nature and wish to support our planet and our people.
It is for mid-career changers seeking more meaningful work. For educators, wellness practitioners, social workers, and creatives who want to bring the forest into the lives of those they support.
It is also for the curious — those drawn to explore the health benefits of nature, from reducing stress to boosting immune function. For people who value authenticity, safety, and emotional depth, and are inspired by the wisdom of the forest and the medicine of stillness.
And it is for those who long to reciprocate with nature — to give back, to tend the relationship, and to share its quiet gifts with others. If this speaks to you, then this training may be your next season of growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have more questions about forest therapy guide trainings, drop an email here.
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The ANFT training is built upon a relational approach.
This approach emphasizes authenticity, emotional safety, and deep listening, preparing you to guide in a way that is relatable, inclusive, and deeply human.
While you receive the theories and tools of guiding from your trainer, you will also embark on a supported discovery of how 'The Forest is the therapist' - your learning is a co-emergence of You, the Forest, your community of guides-in- training, and your trainer.
Beyond extracting benefits from nature for the health of humans, you will learn to offer gentle openings for others t o cultivate presence, reciprocity, and connection with nature.
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The training unfolds in two parts.
Part 1: 6 Months Remote Training
14 live Zoom calls (recorded in case you cannot attend live).
14 content sessions via live Zoom calls (recorded in case you cannot attend live).
Small group calls for deeper discussion.
Remote forest therapy walk practices, self-exploration exercises, and nature connection activities.
14 content modules plus a preparation module, including manuals, short videos, articles, and assignments, all hosted on our learning platform.
Completion grants a Provisional Certification valid for 2 years.
Part 2: 4 Days In-Person Immersion
Once you have completed a t least Module 4, you can apply for a 4-day immersion.
The immersion offers guided practice in nature, mentorship, and community connection.
You have up to 2 years after your six-month training to complete this immersion and move into Full Certification.
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After provisional certification, you will join a global network of ANFT guides — a supportive community where continued mentoring, peer connection, and advanced learning are available. With Forest with You, you will also receive candid, practical insights from Youmin’s years of guiding experience, so you feel equipped to step into guiding with clarity and confidence.
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The six-month training is primarily online, while the immersion is held in-person in nature. Locations vary each year depending on trainers, venues, and travel conditions.
Forest with You typically offers immersions across Asia — so you can complete your certification in diverse landscapes. You will have up to two years from completing your six-month training to attend an immersion.
Journeys Shared by Past Trainees
Youmin and Jackie were very informative, very supportive and very easy to follow in this course. I am so grateful to have had them as our guides and appreciate there time and effort. This course was a gift. I know I struggled with my edges in learning and staying focused and producing the work but within that gained knowledge and affirmation that there are no rules but the ones that we put upon ourselves. I have to say through it all I learned so much about myself and what limitations and restrictions I let the human world put on me. There is so much value in the freedom that this training encourages individuals to embrace themselves where they are and slow down to see the clues nature has to help us embrace our whole selves.
- Joelle Carter, USA (Cohort 130 / Kingfisher, 2024)
I just wanted to share how incredibly meaningful the last six months have been for me. I’ve finally stepped into the role of a guide that I’ve always dreamt about, even though I never felt quite ready before. This training helped me take that leap and start guiding. One of the biggest highlights for me was guiding my friends and family as my very first participants. It was a special experience to let them see me in this new role, although it was challenging to me at first. Personally, I’ve experienced deeper connections to places, people, and beings and myself along the way and have partnered with nature on a new level when working outdoors with children and their parents.
- Anna Gradkowska, Hong Kong (Cohort 130 / Kingfisher, 2024)
This journey has been a pathway into a more embodied way of relating to the natural world for me. My research and creative interests in eco poetry, eco spirituality and writing have always intersected, and this practice has been another pathway for me to work more closely in partnership with the forest, and to open doors for others. The highlights is learning and embodying the Way of the Guide, adding to a more embodied, sensory and sensual way of being in nature, as well as guiding others to be able to come into right relationship with the natural world. Youmin and Jackie were great trainers. They were open and supported, and knowledgeable about the Way of the Guide. They also embodied the Way of the Guide and facilitated my learning well.
- Esther Vincent, Singapore (Cohort 130 / Kingfisher, 2024)
I felt like Jackie and Youmin did an amazing job supporting me on this journey. Their personal sharing was particularly helpful and was a great addition to the thinkific course info. Over the last six months I've experienced several personal hardships and having the course here was the personal support and was a push to grow and find a part of myself that I didn't really know was missing. I appreciate this opportunity to expand the number of guides in my state and continue spreading the message of reciprocal relationships with the land as I am a firm believer that we need to return to living with the land.
- Hanna Foster, USA (Cohort 130 / Kingfisher, 2024)
I enjoyed the course work thoroughly. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, I thought I had an understanding and appreciation for nature. However, this training has deepened my connection with the natural world and opened the door to the experiences and wisdom that nature has to offer. Highlights were the solo walk assignment, guiding my own walks, exploring POP and liminality, learning about and harvesting tea plants, and becoming part of a community of like minded people. Some challenges I encountered included facing and overcoming edges and slowing down. This practice has had a profound impact on me. I feel called to introduce more individuals to the benefits Forest Therapy. I feel I am helping the overall well being of this plant by sharing this practice. My plan is to move forward with a career in Forest Therapy. My trainers (Youmin and Marcela) were absolutely supportive, kind, open, and knowledgeable. Excellent in every way. I would highly recommend them.
- Mark Bucha, USA (Cohort 126 / Sweetgrass, 2024)
I did not expect the course to have so much impact on me - from my views about forest therapy, what I needed to do now, my connection with nature etc. It's like a life transformation process for me. I joined the course with intention to be able to 'lead' forest therapy and 'help' others connect with nature. I am very humbled after this 6 months of training, to be able to support the FOREST, guiding and witnessing participants' journey. The highlights are the time spent with nature and connecting with MTHF in a very intimate way that I could not describe. I am also very thankful to be part of ANFT community - it feels like being welcome HOME where I felt understood and with deep sense of belonging ...
- Tan Hwee Hoon, Singapore (Cohort 120 / Koala, 2024)
During this six-month period, I was able to maintain a deep connection with nature. Spending time in nature, I was able to observe the changing seasons and enjoy the wonders and small beauties that I had never noticed before. Through this journey, I experienced gentle moments of connection with people around the world who share the same sentiments about the forest, beyond boundaries. English and assignments were challenging for me, but they helped me gain confidence as a guide who connects with people all over the world. The trainers’ authenticity helped me to be myself during the course, and it was so inspiring to hear about their own experiences as a guide.
- Miki Fujita, Japan (Cohort 120 / Koala, 2024)
Besides learning the way of the guide, I feel that this course is a journey to learn more about myself. When I started the course I knew that this is definitely the course for me and I really enjoyed every part of it. Leading the four guided walks was certainly one of the highlights - I felt the support of nature and the participants and it has given me the confidence to offer such meaningful events in the future. I am also impressed by how close and supportive my fellow students are... lots of discussion and encouragement when we had questions. And of course, many thanks and appreciation to all the trainers! The trainers have provided us with a friendly and supportive environment in which to acquire the knowledge and had always given us the advice to explore more. I've seen myself change a lot over the six months and I'm really grateful for everything and everyone I've met.
- Chau Man Yi, Hong Kong (Cohort 120 / Koala, 2024)
All the trainers were wonderful and offered support in their own unique ways. I am very grateful for their loving and compassionate presence throughout the whole process. I also love how the course was organized, it makes a lot of sense to me. The ANFT Guide Training Program was life-changing for me. It is not just about learning a practical well-being practice, it is about deeply learning about yourself and our connection to everything that surrounds us.
- Maria Jose Reichenbach, Ecuador (Cohort 120 / Koala, 2024)
The ANFT Guide training is a life changing journey for anyone who would like to connect to the inner-self and to find their own unique ways to feel supported by nature. It is a journey to flow back home with a wonder-full heart. I enjoyed the ANFT walks. It was such a great experience to enjoy the walks with different perspectives, in being a participant or a guide depending on the training progress. It also showed the possibility and flexibility of leading forest therapy in both indoors and outdoors. The Heart Sense and GSL modules touched me a lot. They are essential parts of rebuilding and mending relationships with nature and ourselves. The connections are not only applied during the forest therapy walks, but have also brought benefits into my daily life.
- Charis Kwok, Hong Kong (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)
This course was exactly what I was looking for - learning and forming relationships with nature beings and with like-minded people! Being truly authentic, being vulnerable. It has been an amazing journey. Even with my busy schedule, working on this course was a much-needed break and really fuelled me with energy!
- Joyce Eng, Malaysia (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)
I would like to thank my trainers for holding the space and guiding my cohort mates and I through this journey. They are knowledgeable and they provided genuine attention and support during this course. This learning journey is transformational for me. It helped me to go through a major life challenge and most importantly helped me to reconnect with my self and nature in a humbling way. My sense of trust is now strengthen. May this cherished community of people who love nature stays alive!
- Marina Nurrahmani, Indonesia (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)
Youmin and Amanda were absolutely fantastic trainers! The training was very student-focused, strengths-based, and nurtured a beautifully supportive environment in which we could learn, learning both practical information and strategies to assist us in our forest guide journey, and reflective and introspective practices to foster our own growth and relationship with the forest. This course helped remind me what is important in life, and has supportive me to re-establish my relationship with nature, which is so easily lost in today's busy world.
- Katie,Peterson, Australia (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)
Although the 6-month course was not a walk-in-the-park due to the assignments and conducting of walks to strengthen our learning, it was a fruitful journey. It was a good experience to learn as a group with local and international course mates. The different sharing had been the highlight as we learned from one another and connected with each other even though many of us were living in different countries. After much personal effort, it was a sweet conclusion after spending 6 months together with the cohort. Learning to slow down and enjoy the pleasures of presence helped me reconnect with nature and heal. I look forward to contributing as a guide who opens the door to others so that they can benefit from forest therapy.
- Choo Wai Kit, Singapore (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)
I love nature in a different way after this course. The unfolding journey during the course with specific focus in the different modules helped me to build up relationships with nature. For first time, I enjoyed doing every assignment in a course - especially the drawing parts. Knowing more about myself and the relationships with people and nature have led me to plan my role at work as a forest therapy guide in the future.
- Chloe Lam, Hong Kong (Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest, 2023)
I really enjoyed the reading materials and videos in the course, especially when it came to the topics of wholeness and embodiment. I would definitely return to the materials and read them again. And I finally know who I am and what I am meant to be, because I found my "home" which I have been looking for many years. Thank you Amanda and Youmin for guiding me through the journey. Your sharing and experience helped me a lot to understand the materials and your answers to the questions in classes also gave me a lot of inspiration. Thank you so much!
- Yan Chan, Hong Kong (Cohort 92 / Horsetail, 2022)
Youmin and Amanda offered genuine response and advice throughout the course. Sometimes our questions may not have a single answer, but they shared their considerations / train of thoughts and experience through similar scenarios, and the intent that guides those decisions. They were both most hospitable and created a safe space for our cohort. Thank you!
- Lim Jia Ying, Singapore (Cohort 92 / Horsetail, 2022)
There were all kinds of surprises throughout the whole course! Whether it's the self-directed learning style, all the pod call sessions, small group discussions and free-style assignments - they were challenging and intensive, but inspiring for me (who grew up under a traditional education system). All the self-questionings, doubts and stress turned out to be fun and eye-opening knowledge about myself. I want to thank my trainers - Amanda and Youmin who are great mentors. They were always gentle and supportive. They held a lot of space for us to freely explore and discuss, yet the space was also not free till we got 'lost' - a great balance. I especially love the remote walks as I could learn by immersing myself into the walks and internalize the language and skills needed. Thank you!
- Winnie Wong, Hong Kong (Cohort 92 / Horsetail, 2022)
The content we learned from ANFT is more than how to be a forest therapy guide. They influenced me to re-think my previous thoughts and the ways that I treat people. Maybe I just need to let things happen naturally sometimes, to find their own way; try to make space for them and just keep the container. I have learnt to trust others more. That way that I look at things and see this world has also changed. There's no other way back home unless we connect with nature, pachamama and the more-than-human world. I really hope I can spread forest therapy in Taiwan, even weaving a web/ net in Asia. I'm grateful for my trainers Youmin and Amanda! They are kind and calm. That made me feel safe and not so nervous about all the unexpected situations that can arise during guiding. I also enjoyed the remote walks led by them. Each time I joined the walks, I felt soothed, relaxed, and connected with nature.
- Diano Lo, Taiwan (Cohort 82 / Banyan, 2021)
Besides being trained how to be a guide, this course has also taught me how to care for myself and how to connect more with Nature. The more I connect and express gratitude, the more I experienced pleasures of feelings and mystical moments. I also experienced many emotions during forest bathing and I am allowed to let the emotions be. I also experienced that there is a paradigm shift in the way I see life and people. I observed that I am less critical of myself and others, and learnt not to change or judge people's perspectives of life. I have learnt to love myself more and the liminal spaces. Mother Nature has taught me lessons that I wasn't able to learn in textbooks. Youmin and Amanda have been amazing trainers and wonderful mentors. The pod calls has been very helpful to check on the uncertainties we had on the assignments and it was always clarified. They have been a catalyst in my life to find my path as a Forest Therapy Guide. I express my gratitude to my trainers-cum-guides and Nature for being great teachers. A BIG HUG TO ALL OF THEM.
- Leela Narayana, Singapore (Cohort 82 / Banyan, 2021)
Past Forest Therapy Guide Training Cohorts by Youmin
Cohort 154 / Sky of Clouds (4 Sep 2025 - 4 Mar 2026)
Cohort 152 / Mossy Forest (2 July 2025 - 2 Jan 2026)
Cohort 149 / Regal Birdflower (21 May 2025 - 21 Nov 2025)
Forest Therapy Guide Training Immersion / Japan (18 Mar 2025 - 22 Mar 2025)
Cohort 139 / Sakura (28 Oct 2024 - 28 April 2025) - completed
Forest Therapy Guide Training Immersion / Thailand (11 Dec 2024 - 11 Dec 2024)
Cohort 130 / Kingfisher (19 May 2024 - 19 Nov 2024)
Forest Therapy Guide Training Immersion / Japan (17 April 2024 - 21 April 2024)
Cohort 126 / Sweetgrass (13 March 2024 - 13 September 2024 )
Cohort 120 / Koala (18 Nov 2023 - 18 May 2024)
Forest Therapy Guide Training Immersion / Thailand (3 Nov 2023 - 7 Nov 2023)
Forest Therapy Guide Training Immersion / New Zealand (30 Mar 2023 - 3 April 2023)
Cohort 104 / Bamboo Forest (5 Feb 2023 - 5 Aug 2023)
Cohort 100 / Orchid Blooms (26 Oct 2022 - 26 April 2023)
Cohort 92 / Horsetail (5 June 2022 - 5 Dec 2022)
Cohort 82 / Banyan (7 Nov 2021 - 7 May 2022)
Cohort 71 / Dusky Dolphin (17 April 2021 - 17 Oct 2021)
Cohort 64 / Ginkgo (29 November 2020 - 29 May 2021)
Cohort 52 (Australia), March 2020 - September 2020