Forestminds Method Certification Paths for Professionals

Forestminds is a highly adaptable method used globally by the network of certified experts. It serves as a practical, professional tool in healthcare, education, corporate wellbeing, and tourism.

If you want to integrate Forestminds into your professional toolkit, we offer two main international certification paths:

1. Forestminds Guide

Who it is for: Tourism providers, nature guides, educators, community leaders, and hobby group organizers.

What you learn: You will learn how to safely and effectively lead basic Forestminds exercises for individuals and groups in outdoor settings. The focus is on relaxation, presence, and enhancing the natural well-being benefits of nature.
The Structure: Self-study + Online Meeting + 1 day Live Intensive

Outcome: You receive the official qualification to host guided Forestminds walks, nature well-being events, and experiential workshops.

2. Forestminds Instructor

Who it is for: Coaches, therapists, psychologists, HR professionals, healthcare workers, and advanced well-being consultants.

What you learn: This deep-dive training focuses on the psychological frameworks of the method, including resourcefulness, self-compassion, minds skills, and long-term habits. You will master the deeper, goal-oriented use of the Forestminds exercise catalog.
The Structure: Self-study + Online Meeting + 2-3 day Live Intensive

Outcome: You will be certified to utilize Forestminds as a structured coaching tool, integrating it into corporate strategy, deep personal coaching, and professional rehabilitation programs.

In the Forestminds Instructor or Guide courses, you will become acquainted with the theoretical background of the method, well-being effect of nature, what constitutes the so-called "mind skills", and the basics of guiding the Forestminds method. You will gain more skills for maintaining your own resources and concrete skills for utilizing Forestminds exercises as part of your own work, such as coaching, teaching, program services, or nature-based tourism.

In order to be admitted to the instructor or guide course, you will need to have at least one of the following backgrounds (Application by e-mail in free form):

(a) Nature education, experience or long - term volunteering

b) Educational background in teaching, coaching, mind skills or well-being services.

Participants are required to read the Forestminds- material in advance, so in the course we can focus on backgrounding the exercises and practicing guidance.

Ask Forestminds Trainings from Certified Trainers:

Martina Holcová – Czech Republic and Slovaky

Martina Holcová is a certified coach, author, environmentalist, and the founder of the Forestminds instructor network in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. She has successfully integrated the Finnish Forestminds concept into her Lesní mysl brand. With a background in experiential education (Outward Bound), Martina trains new instructors, leads open workshops, and designs tailored corporate wellbeing days. The core of her work focuses on strengthening life balance and resilience through easily accessible, short outdoor exercises designed to ease the pressures of a modern, fast-paced lifestyle.

More Information: https://lesnimysl.cz/

Katriina Kilpi – Belgium & International

Katriina Kilpi is an international Forestminds Master Trainer and the founder of NatureMinded Consulting based in Belgium. With a strong academic background in environmental and social sciences, Katriina focuses on evidence-based and trauma-informed nature experiences.
She specializes in applied research and training, helping urban professionals, organizations, and educators bridge the gap between human psychology and the natural world. Through her brand NatureMinded, she has been instrumental in expanding the Forestminds method across Central Europe.

More Information: https://natureminded.consulting/consulting/

Laura Lundell – The Netherlands

Laura Lundell (Master of Clinical Health sciences) is a certified Nature Coach, Mindfulness and Forestminds Trainer operating through LauraLundell.nl in the Netherlands. Originally born in Finland, nature is deeply rooted in her DNA. With nearly 25 years in the physiotherapy practice and rehabilitation, she has a vast experience in prevention and recovery of health issues, rehabilitation and psychosomatic challenges, such as chronic stress and burnout.
Laura combines Finnish nature wisdom with professional coaching frameworks to help solo entrepreneurs, employees and individuals rediscover inner peace, mental balance, and a new route in life by giving space for ones inner nature. She acts as a vital Trainer for the Forestminds method in the Dutch-speaking market.

More Information: https://lauralundell.nl/forestminds/

Sirpa Arvonen – International and Finland

Sirpa Arvonen (Master of Educational Sciences) is the visionary founder and creator of the Forestminds- method. As a long-time leader, coach and professional in corporate consulting and wellbeing, Sirpa began pioneering the method in Finland in the early 2000s. Her work seamlessly merges social psychology with modern cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and coaching and mindfulness.
Sirpa has authored multiple bestselling books on the Forestminds- method, training a vast network of trainers and instructors. Her lifelong mission is to equip people with practical, everyday tools for mind skills—harnessing the natural healing power of nature.

More Information: metsamielinen(at)gmail.com