Forest Therapy Guide Certification Training Retreat
October 1 - October 5, 2025
Maryville, Tennessee
Forest Therapy Guide Certification Training Retreat
Seven Springs Retreat Center
Maryville, Tennessee
In the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains
Wednesday, October 1 through Sunday, October 5, 2025
Your retreat experience includes:
The Forest Therapy Guide Certification Program
A 6-week mentored practicum
4 nights accommodations in a yurt or bring your own tent
All organic and vegetarian meals prepared by a farm-to-table chef
Gentle yoga
Sound bath ceremony
Camp fire circle
Natural springs and nature trails
Labyrinth
Lifetime access to our program’s course content upon certification
The Location
Seven Springs is a holistic retreat center featuring 7 natural springs on 126 acres of private land in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
The land is also some of the most ecologically diverse in the country. The high elevations of the Smoky Mountains are a temperate rain forest with over 17,000 species of plants and animals. The incredible biodiversity of the region adds to the abundant richness of Seven Springs.
The accommodations feature 7 yurts. Each yurt is decorated with traditional textiles and artwork from the countries the property owners frequent. The yurts are fully furnished including bedding, furnishings, electricity and outlets.
The Curriculum
Whether you are taking this training for personal growth or to share the life-changing benefits of forest therapy with others, the curriculum is thoughtfully designed to give you a deeper understanding of the emerging field of forest therapy. You’ll walk away with the skills and confidence to guide participants in meaningful and restorative forest bathing experiences.
Over the course of this 4-night retreat, you will learn:
What it means to be a forest therapy guide
The history of forest therapy and forest bathing
The holistic benefits of the practice along with the science to back it up
Mindfulness in nature and embodiment practices
How to offer guided nature meditations
The importance of the senses in connecting to nature and ourselves
A reliable and trusted walk sequence for guiding your clients
How to craft nature-based invitations for client engagement
How to personally style a forest bathing walk
Group facilitation and effective communication skills
The psycho-spiritual dimension of the human-nature connection
Following the in-person training, you will enter into a 6-week mentored practicum where you will participate in weekly Zoom class meetups, complete assignments, guide 2 forest therapy walks and receive 2 small group mentor calls.
The weekly meetups will be held on Tuesdays (October 7 - November 11) at 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm ET. The meetups are recorded, so if you have to miss one, you can watch the recording.
Join like-hearted people committed to reconnecting humans to nature.
The Details
The Forest Therapy Guide Certification Program at Seven Springs Retreat Center
Arrive: Wednesday, October 1st between 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
Depart: Sunday, October 5th by 11:00 am ET
Your retreat experience includes:
The Forest Therapy Guide Certification Program
4 nights accommodations in a yurt or bring your own tent
All organic and vegetarian meals prepared by a farm-to-table chef
Gentle yoga
Sound bath ceremony
Camp fire circle
Natural springs and nature trails
Labyrinth
Lifetime access to our program’s course content upon graduation
Meet the Team
-
Regan Stacey
LEAD INSTRUCTOR
-
Leah Manuel
INSTRUCTOR
Your Investment:
Option 1:
Private Yurt (1 spot left!)
$3200 USD*
(includes program, practicum, 4 nights accommodations, and all meals)
The yurts are fully furnished with beds. 100% organic cotton sheets and towels are provided. Each yurt is fully equipped with electricity and has extra blankets for the cool nights.
The centrally-located, shared bathrooms have two (2) stalls with flushing toilets and two (2) sinks with large mirrors. There are also two (2) large hot water showers with private changing space in each.
$500 non-refundable deposit required upon registration
Registration deadline: September 15, 2025
Option 2:
Shared Yurt
$2925 USD*
(includes program, practicum, 4 nights accommodations, and all meals)
Each yurt will be shared with up to 3 people. The yurts are fully furnished with beds. 100% organic cotton sheets and towels are provided. Each yurt is fully equipped with electricity and has extra blankets for the cool nights.
The centrally-located, shared bathrooms have two (2) stalls with flushing toilets and two (2) sinks with large mirrors. There are also two (2) large hot water showers with private changing space in each.
$500 non-refundable deposit required upon registration
Registration deadline: September 15, 2025
Option 3:
BYO Camping or Commuter
$2825*
(includes program, practicum, facilities use fee, and all meals)
Bring your own camping gear and sleep under the stars or commute in each day.
The centrally-located, shared bathrooms have two (2) stalls with flushing toilets and two (2) sinks with large mirrors. There are also two (2) large hot water showers with private changing space in each.
$500 non-refundable deposit required upon registration
Registration deadline: September 15, 2025
*We offer a limted number of partial scholarships. If you are in need of scholarship assistance, please fill out the application here and we’ll get back to you shortly. Thank you.
We offer 27 CE credits through the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching.
NBHWC Approved Course CE Number: CEA-000003-1
Terms and Cancellations:
Tuition Payment Schedule:
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due upon registration
50% of the remaining tuition will be due on August 1, 2025
Final tuition balance will be due on September 1, 2025
Our cancellation policy for in-person retreats:
Cancellations made 60 days or more prior to retreat start date: Payment is 100% refundable (less any payment processor fees).
Cancellations made 59-31 days prior to retreat start date: Payment is 50% refundable (less any payment processor fees). You may transfer your remaining tuition credit to a future training retreat or to any online certification held within one year.
Cancellations made 30 days or less prior to retreat start date: Tuition is non-refundable. You may transfer your tuition credit to a future training retreat or to any online certification held within one year.
Travel Insurance: For additional protection of your retreat investment, you may wish to purchase travel insurance through companies like Travel Safe, Insuremytrip, Travel Guard or other options listed here.
Getting Here
Please Note: Transportation is not included in the cost of the retreat.
By Car:
Maryville, Tennessee is:
18 miles from Knoxville, TN
132 miles from Asheville, NC
186 miles from Nashville, TN
218 miles from Atlanta, GA
By Air:
Seven Springs Retreat Center is located near:
Knoxville Int’l Airport, TN (25 minutes)
Nashville Int’l Airport, TN (3 hours)
Atlanta Int’l Airport, GA (4 hours)
“Thank you so much for this in-person forest bathing experience and certification course! It has always been about the trees for me. I have deepened my connection to the natural world and am looking forward to sharing the practice with others. My trees are happy and so am I. My mind is clear, and my heart is full. Standing in gratefulness!”
— Ginny Speaks, Health and Wellness Coach