Forest Therapy Training: A Mini-Guide Before Becoming a Guide
Are you considering training in forest therapy?
Perhaps you are still hesitating, worried that you might lose your way or struggle to stay true to your values in this new life project. Or perhaps you are so excited that it is difficult to organise your thoughts as the training approaches!
Whatever your situation, this practical mini-guide will help you answer the main questions that arise before you begin.
Ready for a change and to become a forest therapy guide?
Updated October 2026
From 2027 onwards, the training takes place at the Ranch in Mouzeil, in the Pays d’Ancenis area between Nantes and Angers in western France. Three sessions are offered in spring, summer and autumn.
Forest therapy continues to attract growing interest from individuals, well-being professionals and people looking for a more meaningful path.
Since this training was created, several groups have already completed the programme, enabling future guides to develop their own activity or integrate trees into their professional practice. Read their testimonials here.
The next training sessions will take place at the Ranch in Mouzeil (Loire-Atlantique), on 26–30 April, 23–27 August and 11–15 October 2027.
Psst! Before you read on, you should know that I also offer gift cards — a lovely way for someone to contribute towards the cost of your spiritual forest therapy training. Just saying. 😉
Why train in forest therapy?
There are many reasons to take this kind of training, whether you want to:
change career or professional direction,
because of your love for trees and the plant world in general,
work more closely with nature,
develop a calming activity,
because you enjoy “tree hugging”,
learn more about the environment around us,
pass on ecological values to your children,
deepen your awareness of the plant world,
share your knowledge and passion with others,
or follow any other motivation close to your heart.
Training as a forest therapy guide can open the door to a new direction in life. It can also help you diversify your income by developing a complementary professional activity. This can work particularly well if you are part-time or have flexible hours, since many walks take place at weekends or during school holidays.
Who should you train with?
If you want to become a forest therapy guide, it makes sense to learn from someone with substantial experience in the field. Once you are in contact with a prospective trainer, you can ask about:
their fees,
the different training modules, where relevant,
the length of the course,
where the training will take place,
their approach to forest therapy,
and their experience as a trainer.
I regularly publish upcoming training dates on my website. You can find them in the Forest Therapy Walks & Training section. 🌿
Is there a best season to start training?
Although it may seem more appealing to train and be guided in the forest on fine spring days without gloves or layers, forest therapy training can actually take place throughout the year.
In 2027, I am offering three sessions in spring, summer and autumn, so participants can experience the Ranch at very different moments of the year.
Forest therapy can also be practised in winter, although not everyone feels like spending hours outside when the temperature is close to freezing.
A responsible guide will never take a group into an exposed area in dangerously windy conditions. Even so, because forest therapy is an outdoor activity, you will inevitably experience changing weather conditions, from summer heat to showers, fog and cooler temperatures.
If you still have concerns before taking the leap, read the article:
What is the difference between training, coaching and forest therapy walks?
🌳 The training course prepares you to design and guide your own spiritual forest therapy and Plant Consciousness experiences. It includes 30 hours, spread over five days, with around three hours outdoors in the morning and the same again in the afternoon.
The fee is €890, payable in three instalments at no extra cost. At the end, you receive a certificate of successful completion if your final presentation meets the expected learning outcomes.
🗺️ A forest therapy walk, which is different from professional training, is a relaxing recreational experience for yourself or someone close to you. It lasts three hours and usually takes place on a Sunday morning, offering time to slow down and experience nature differently.
I also organise private walks for families, groups of friends, companies and local organisations, at times and places agreed together. Feel free to contact me; I will be delighted to introduce you to forest therapy, trees and nature.
Current rates:
€30 per adult and child aged over 10,
€15 per child for 90-minute walks specially designed for younger participants.
💪 Coaching is a more individual form of support designed to help you move through a challenging period. My forest therapy coaching sessions last two hours and are intended to help you step back from stress and fatigue and create space to clarify your thoughts and decisions.
The fee is €200 per person per session.
Do you need to be a therapist to become a forest therapy guide?
That is a very good question.
Many people assume that you need to be a therapist before training in forest therapy.
In reality, the training is open to anyone who wants to develop an activity around trees or enrich an existing practice. Participants come from varied backgrounds: coaches, well-being practitioners, teachers, helping professionals, nature facilitators, trainers, photographers… and nature lovers looking for greater meaning.
What will I learn during forest therapy training?
🎓 During the training week, you will discover the spirit of the forest and what I call Plant Consciousness, and learn, for example, how to:
use grounding and sensory practices to cultivate calm,
develop your energetic sensitivity and personal perceptions in relation to trees and places,
explore Plant Consciousness in relation to bud extracts (gemmotherapy) and Bach flower remedies,
observe interactions between living beings in nature,
understand how trees live and interact with other trees and organisms such as mycelial fungi and insects,
understand the forest as a complex living ecosystem.
Would you like to go further?
Discovering trees is one thing. Learning how to guide other people into a meaningful encounter with the Living World is another.
If you feel drawn to the forest and would like to share the benefits of spending time in nature with others, discover the spiritual forest therapy training now offered at the Ranch in Mouzeil.
Some personal reflections…
Through experience, I have also come to perceive trees, forests, woodlands and parks as expressions of consciousness — both individual and collective. In my spiritual approach, I explore the possibility of relating to these forms of consciousness through intuition and personal experience. This is why my training is called “Spiritual Forest Therapy and Plant Consciousness”.
And what about spirituality?
I have also come to feel that the Divine — or Source, the Universe, the Great Architect, God, whatever words speak to you — can be perceived in nature at every moment. A rainbow, a spider’s web, a pine cone… sometimes we simply need to look and truly see.
And perhaps this kind of seeing is not only physical — I wear glasses, so I know something about that! — but also comes through the heart and intuition.
As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote, “What matters most cannot be seen with the eyes; only the heart sees clearly.”
Yes, The Little Prince has left a lasting mark on my life, as have other books.
Like the nature of which we are part, we are products of Creation. Even without belonging to a religion, many people sense something beyond themselves — a greater presence or force. In my view, we have not completely lost contact with that energy of life.
During the training, the spiritual dimension invites you to explore that connection and, through your relationship with trees, to grow inwardly. Personal insights and meaningful inner shifts often emerge along the way.
✨ What if it were your turn?
Whether you are a therapist, coach, helping professional, well-being practitioner or simply passionate about trees, this training offers practical tools, an immersive experience and space for genuine personal exploration.
By the end of the training, you will be able to guide other tree lovers on walks and organise forest therapy experiences. 🍄
3 tips for feeling at ease on the first day of training
A little preparation can help you arrive feeling calm on the first day of training. Of course, the unexpected can always happen. 😅 Adaptability is also part of Mother Nature’s programme — which already gives you something in common with your future working partner. Yes, I do mean Nature!
1 — Bring the right equipment
Good shoes, a windproof jacket, thermal layers and gloves if needed, a hood or warm hat… In general, it is best to bring warm clothing. Also remember to bring a lightweight backpack, containing:
a reusable water bottle,
a packed lunch,
tissues,
a notebook and pen,
a snack,
and anything you would enjoy sharing with the group: a book, a song about trees, a photograph of a tree that matters to you, and so on.
2 — Explore your trainer’s website
If you have not met your trainer in person, taking a look at their website can help you understand what to expect and see a photograph so that you can recognise them more easily when you arrive at the training location.
Again, trust how the interaction feels. A short phone conversation can also be a good idea. 😉
3 — Relax before the training begins
Last but not least: relax! There is no need to work yourself into a state before training begins. You are not heading to university with Einstein, nor taking a driving lesson on an icy road — thankfully!
Forest therapy is a particular field, without the need for competition. Centred on well-being and awareness, it can offer you space to release some of the tension accumulated over the years, take time for yourself, reflect, breathe and move through an important step on your path.
Ready to become a forest therapy guide?
Places are deliberately limited to preserve the quality of guidance and the experience within the group.
👉 Reserve your place or request further information by email at clotilde.naturo@gmail.com
I look forward to meeting you on a walk or during training!
Clotilde
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