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
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Two Certifications
Certification as Forest Therapy Guide AND Nature as Medicine Practitioner
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Continuing Education Credits
46 hours AMA Category I CME (or equivalent) Continuing Education Credits.
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Immersive Learning
Hands-on Training
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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.
Nature as Medicine Practitioner and Guide Intake Dates
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Spring 2026
Spring 2026 Nature Immersion
YMCA of the Rockies, Colorado
May 14 - May 17, 2026
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Fall 2026
Fall 2026 Nature Immersion
Well Being Retreat Centre, Tennesse
October 8 - 11, 2026
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
Nursing
Mass General Brigham designates this activity for 46.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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. 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 distinguished naturalist, certified executive coach, and professional hiking guide with over 30 years of experience in Canada’s Mountain Parks. She works with leaders, professionals, and executive teams around the world, using nature, storytelling, and immersive experiences as catalysts for deep reflection, renewal, and transformation. With 15 years in leadership development, Ronna designs programs that help individuals and teams unwind, reconnect, and cultivate embodied, high-impact leadership.
Ronna serves as the Chair of Nature and Forest Therapy of Canada. In 2021, she played a key role in the launch of the Canadian Park Prescription Program, delivering forest therapy sessions to frontline health professionals during the pandemic—supporting their mental health and resilience during a time of unprecedented strain.
Sabrina, Family Medicine Practitioner. May 2025 Cohort.
FAQs
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There will be bi-weekly online sessions for 6 months.
Sessions will be recorded.
Participants must attend 80% of sessions live, due to ongoing peer to peer and facilitated discussions.
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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.
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You must be a licensed health care practitioner to be able to enroll in this program. Any licensed health care practitioner can attend.
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Absolutely but you do have to attend our three day immersion program in nature as a pre-requisite.