Nature as Medicine Practitioner and Guide

Training and Certification

46 hours AMA Category I CME (or equivalent) Continuing Education Credits

Connection and partnership with nature heal us in ways that are broad and deep. The health benefits of nature range across the physical, emotional, mental health, and cognitive domains. For many, time in nature also brings deep spiritual solace and inspiration.

At this time in history, healthcare is poised to begin recognizing the profound benefits of nature.

This training and certification program, offered jointly by the Nature and Systems Institute and the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, is for any licensed healthcare provider who wishes to be on the leading edge of establishing the practice of Nature as Medicine.

You will become trained to guide participants in the art of forest bathing and develop a plan for incorporating Nature as Medicine into your personal life and clinical practice.

Training Highlights

  • Two Certifications

    Certification as Forest Therapy Guide AND Nature as Medicine Practitioner

  • Continuing Education Credits

    46 hours AMA Category I CME (or equivalent) Continuing Education Credits.

  • Immersive Learning

    Hands-on Training

  • Evidence-Based

    Backed by Mass General Brigham

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

  • Open to all licensed healthcare professionals

  • Program launches with a three day nature immersion in the beauty of nature

  • Six month online training program with content, workshops, and peer groups

  • Bimonthly 90 minute calls facilitated by expert guides and trainers

  • Training and Certification as Forest Therapy Guide

  • Training and Certification as Nature as Medicine Practitioner

  • Mentorship and development of your personal plan to incorporate Nature as Medicine Practitioner into your clinical practice

  • 46 hours AMA Category I CME (or equivalent) Continuing Education Credits

  • Access to our community of healthcare professional Forest Therapy Guide

Training Only

Certified Forest Therapy Guides

Designed for healthcare professionals who are already certified as a Forest Therapy Guide. You can join our group right after the Three Day Nature Immersion.

THREE DAY NATURE IMMERSION INFORMATION

Fall 2025 Nature Immersion

YMCA of the Rockies, Colorado

Oct. 2 - Oct. 5, 2025

  • $4,700 USD

    Training and Certification to incorporate Forest Bathing, Guided Forest Therapy, and Nature as Medicine into your Clinical Practice. (Does not include travel or accommodation)

  • Please see below for accommodation options and to register.

    All inclusive pricing includes: all tuition, training, certification, Continuing Education Credit, lodging, and meals by our Ayurvedic Chef.

Accommodation Options

Private Room - $5,585 USD

Private room & private bath for one person. Room may have 1 or 2 queen beds. Three nights, meals & tuition.

Semi Private Room - $5,290 USD

One room with 2 queen beds and bath shared by two people. Three nights, meals & tuition.

Shared Room Lodging- $5,155 USD

Twin bed in a room of 6 twin beds with shared bath. Three nights, meals & tuition.

Spring 2026 Nature Immersion

YMCA of the Rockies, Colorado

May 14 - May 17, 2026

  • $4,700 USD

    Training and Certification to incorporate Forest Bathing, Guided Forest Therapy, and Nature as Medicine into your Clinical Practice. (Does not include travel or accommodation)

  • Please see below for accommodation options and to register.

    All inclusive pricing includes: all tuition, training, certification, Continuing Education Credit, lodging, and meals by our Ayurvedic Chef.

Accommodation Options

Private Room - $5,585 USD

Private room & private bath for one person. Room may have 1 or 2 queen beds. Three nights, meals & tuition.

Semi Private Room - $5,290 USD

One room with 2 queen beds and bath shared by two people. Three nights, meals & tuition.

Shared Room Lodging- $5,155 USD

Twin bed in a room of 6 twin beds with shared bath. Three nights, meals & tuition.

All inclusive pricing for both retreats include: all tuition, training, certification, Continuing Education Credit, lodging, and meals by our Ayurvedic Chef.

About Nicole Reid

Nicole is a chef and Ayurvedic yoga teacher committed to holistic well-being through the transformative power of food, movement, and mindful living. With a foundation in science and a passion for exploring ancient traditions, Nicole combines these with holistic wellness to craft meals that nourish the body and soul.

Nicole began her career planning to be an engineer, but through life experiences found her aspirations in the kitchen. She completed formal culinary training as well as an Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher through Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health.

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Mass General Brigham and Nature & Systems Institute. Mass General Brigham is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team

Credit Designation Statements

AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM

Mass General Brigham designates this live activity for a maximum of 46.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Psychologists

46.00 Continuing Education (CE) credits are awarded

Physician Assistants

Mass General Brigham has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 46.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Social Work

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Mass General Brigham is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Mass General Brigham maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 46.00 continuing education credit.

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the literature and evidence for the clinical benefits of nature related to their specific specialty.

  • Demonstrate competence in describing how nature can be applied to their clinical practice.

  • Interpret the scientific literature in ways that predict how nature can be beneficial to their individual clients.

  • Demonstrate competence in the practice of guide forest bathing, in the standard sequence.

  • Demonstrate competence in creating new invitations for forest bathing that opens doors to their individual clients’ needs.

  • Exemplify & model behavior that holds space for participants to discover their own insights & benefits.

  • Identify the interactions between the psychological, physical & spiritual nature of health benefits in nature.

  • Document a specific plan to incorporate nature as medicine into their clinical practice, including various healthcare professions across their team.

Learning Objectives

“ I’m thrilled with my decision to embark on my journey towards becoming a Nature as Medicine certified provider. This course is offered in collaboration with Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and with Massachusetts General Brigham, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. I spent the weekend with an amazing group of doctors, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, and other licensed professionals. It was energizing to be at Rocky Mountain National Park surrounded by inspiring colleagues integrating nature into their practices. The course continues online through October and I am eager to learn more from Ronna Schneberger and Susan Abookire BSEE MD MPH. If you are a health care provider, I highly recommend that you consider this course.- Noel Hiers

MEET THE TEAM

About Dr. Susan Abookire

Our founder, Dr. Susan Abookire, is a Harvard-trained physician with a passion for systems design and nature therapy. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership, she brings a unique perspective to physician wellness. Dr. Abookire is committed to helping physicians find balance and fulfillment through a deeper connection with nature.

About Ronna Schneberger

Ronna Schneberger is a senior trainer for the ANFT, a professional award winning naturalist, and hiking guide in the Canadian Mountain Parks for 30 years. A yoga teacher of 20 years, Ronna incorporated yoga, meditation, and coaching in nature during the last decade. In her quest to understand why time in nature easily creates powerful experiences, she became she was one of the first Forest Therapy Guides in Canada. Ronna is a senior trainer for the ANFT and the Chair of the Nature and Forest Therapy of Canada. Along with her team, she looks forward to promoting guided Forest Therapy in Canada.

Sabrina, Family Medicine Practitioner. May 2025 Cohort.

FAQs

    • First online session is on Wednesday May 21, 2025 8:00-9:30 pm ET

    • Online Sessions will be 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month June - October 2025

    • Sessions will be recorded

    • Participants must attend 80% of sessions live, due to ongoing peer to peer and facilitated discussions

  • Yes for those of you who need to obtain a certification as a Forest Therapy Guide.

    If you are already a certified Forest Therapy Guide, you do not need to attend the three day immersion.

  • You must be a licensed health care practitioner to be able to enroll in this program. Any licensed health care practitioner can attend.

  • Absolutely but you do have to attend our three day immersion program in nature as a pre-requisite.