You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves
Mary Oliver
On the Term “Therapy”
Within research and scientific discourse, two overarching terms have become increasingly established: Nature-Based Interventions (NBI) and Nature-Based Therapy (NBT). Forest Therapy is situated within the framework of NBT. However, it is essential to clarify that the term “therapy” in this context refers to a salutogenic intervention, in which the forest or natural environment itself is understood as the primary “therapeutic agent.”
It is the natural environment—how we attend to it, engage with it, and form a relationship with it—together with the multiple health-supportive effects associated with time spent in nature, that underlies the therapeutic outcomes demonstrated in scientific research.
This perspective does not diminish the importance of the guide, on the contrary. The certified guide enables access to the “therapy” that nature itself provides. It is a specific, professional competence and an evidence based, structured methodology that support participants to access and experience a beneficial connection with nature.
More about Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy
Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing are often used interchangeably, both in everyday language and in scientific literature. This is somewhat misleading, as they are not always equivalent in practice. While they share common foundations, differences can be identified in both methodology and guiding competence.
These distinctions may vary across regions; however, in general, forest bathing can be practiced independently, with written guidance, or with a guide who may be self-taught or have varying levels of training. Forest Therapy, by contrast, is always conducted with a trained and certified guide and follows a developed and evaluated methodology.
Within the Scandinavian Nature and Forest Therapy Institute (SNFTI), Forest Therapy further implies that the guide has completed an advanced training, enabling the adaptation of forest bathing practices to individuals and groups with specific needs.
Forest Therapy in Scandinavia
In SNFTI the Certified Forest Bathing Guide training is considered an advanced level of training, comparable to the Certified Forest Therapy Guide in the USA. The SNFTI, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, however, represents an additional level of advanced competence, incorporating a second layer, in addition to Eco Forest Therapy, the Skills and Applications for Special Needs.
There are several key reasons why SNFTI has chosen to retain the term Forest Bathing—rather than Forest Therapy—for its foundational, Certified Forest Bathing guide qualification:
- Forest Bathing is the more widely recognised term in Sweden, Scandinavia, and Europe
- To reduce potential misunderstandings related to the term “therapy”
- In some European countries, “therapy” is a protected term, associated with clinical treatment
- To avoid non-clinicians using the designation “forest therapist”
Forest Therapy – advanced methodology
Both pathways build upon the methodological foundation and framework of Eco Forest Therapy and SHIFT M.A.P. The Forest Therapy Guide training however, offers an additional, advanced level and manualised methodology: Certified Forest Therapy Guide – Skills and Applications for Special Needs, systematically teaching how guided forest bathing can be prepared, structured, and adapted for individuals and groups with specific profiles or needs.
When Forest Therapy is applied within a clinical context, it is used as a complementary module alongside standard clinical treatment, in a manner comparable to the integration of mindfulness-based interventions. When the guide is also a clinically trained professional, the intervention may be further developed and integrated within their own scope of clinical responsibility.
International Standards
SNFTI adheres to international guidelines for advanced education in forest bathing and forest therapy:
- ICCFT (International Core Curriculum for Forest Therapy) – developed by over 120 experts from 20 countries under the leadership of INFTA (International Nature and Forest Therapy Association)
- ISFTP (International Standard for Forest Therapy Practice) – a framework for health, ecology, and cultural integrity, developed by the Multidisciplinary Institute of Nature Therapy (MINT), University of British Columbia
SNFTI is listed among internationally approved education providers:
https://anft.earth/about-global-network/
For more information about training at SNFTI, please read more HERE.
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