IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute | Certified Partner Network
Certified Partners: Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing
Our certified partner network includes institutions that integrate forest therapy and forest bathing into their services in a professional, quality-assured manner. Our current focus is on partner clinics offering Clinical Forest Therapy. Further partnerships with medical practices, health professionals, health tourism providers, companies and forest owners are currently being developed. In clinical settings, certification is carried out by the IWSI in cooperation with the International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine (INFOM).
Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing Across Different Fields of Practice
The IWSI Network Continues to Grow
Step by step, we are developing a network of partners who implement forest- and nature-based health programs in line with reliable quality standards. Our current focus is on rehabilitation and specialist clinics as well as medical practices integrating Clinical Forest Therapy or forest bathing into existing healthcare structures. At the same time, we are developing partnerships in health tourism, workplace health promotion and with forest owners. The IWSI provides dedicated programs for each field, while the
IM-WALD-SEIN® Academy offers the corresponding professional training. All programs follow a shared conceptual framework and receive professional guidance from the IWSI.
Rehabilitation and Specialist Clinics
Nature-based therapeutic components are integrated into existing treatment programs – for example in orthopedic rehabilitation, psychosomatic medicine or multimodal pain therapy.
Medical Practices and Health Professionals
Physicians and therapists can integrate forest- and nature-based approaches into patient care and their professional practice.
Health Tourism and Forest Owners
Health resorts, health destinations, hotels and forest owners can develop quality-assured programs that combine nature experiences with health promotion.
→ IWS Medical Wellness
Workplace Health Promotion
Employers can integrate forest- and nature-based health promotion into everyday working life as an accessible and effective health initiative.
Quality with a Clear Framework
What IWSI Certification Delivers in Practice
IWSI certification provides a reliable foundation for developing and implementing forest- and nature-based health programs. It makes quality transparent, supports consistent delivery and enables experience and outcomes to be systematically evaluated and used for continuous development. It combines practical experience from real-world implementation projects with scientific findings from research on nature, health and stress. This provides orientation for everyone involved – in clinics, medical practices, companies and other health-related settings.
For Partners
- A clear quality framework for their own program
- Transparent requirements and processes
- Structured guidance during implementation
- Visible proof of verified quality
For Practitioners
- Clear methodology and program structure
- Consistent implementation within the team
- Structured documentation
- Confidence in delivery and further development
For Decision-Makers
- Clear criteria for development and implementation
- Reliable roles and responsibilities
- A basis for evaluation and quality assurance
- Better management and long-term development
For Quality and Development
- Greater comparability between programs
- Transferability to different settings
- Systematic assessment of outcomes
- Continued development of nature-based health programs
IWSI Certification
Quality Standards for Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing
Nature-based health approaches such as forest bathing and Clinical Forest Therapy are developing rapidly. However, there are currently no universally binding standards for implementation, professional qualifications or quality assurance. The same applies to professional training: content, scope, methodology and qualification requirements vary considerably. For the field to develop on a scientifically grounded and quality-oriented basis, a reliable quality framework is needed that structures practice and makes implementation transparent. The IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute for Forest Medicine and Forest Therapy has therefore established its own cross-program quality framework for the Academy and its partner projects.
IWSI certification documents that a program has been professionally developed, adapted to its specific setting and implemented in a structured, sustainable and quality-assured manner. The aim is to create forest- and nature-based programs whose implementation can be compared, evaluated and transferred to suitable settings. Transferability means that an approach can be adapted to different conditions – such as type of institution, target group, team structure or location – without compromising its professional integrity. This provides a basis for systematically assessing experiences, outcomes and effects and for comparing findings across projects.
From Site Assessment to Certification: A Four-Step Process
Certification Process for Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing
The certification process follows a clearly structured pathway. It combines professional development, site-specific implementation and independent assessment, creating a transparent route from the initial project idea to successful certification.
01 Context and Site Assessment →
Together, we review the target groups and setting and assess how the program can be meaningfully and sustainably integrated into existing structures.
- Target groups and fields of application
- Spatial requirements
- Existing service structures
- Project goals and framework conditions
02 Program Design and Standards →
Based on the site assessment, the program is developed in detail and adapted to the specific setting. This turns the initial concept into a clearly defined and usable program.
- Program design, content, structure and methodology
- Therapeutic or health-related objectives
- Materials and documentation structures
- Coordination with existing services and processes
03 Implementation and Pilot Phase →
The program is introduced into day-to-day practice and tested under real-world conditions. Experience from the pilot phase feeds directly into further refinement.
- Involvement of responsible practitioners
- Introduction to program structure and content
- Testing under real-world conditions
- Documentation, experience gathering and adaptation
04 Audit and Certification
Following implementation, an audit assesses whether the program meets the defined quality criteria. If all requirements are met, certification is awarded.
- Assessment of structure and implementation
- Evaluation of integration into the existing setting
- Review of documentation and quality criteria
- Certification upon successful completion
Certification Process: Roles and Responsibilities
Partnership-Based Implementation
Clear responsibilities and a separation between project work, development and certification make the process transparent and provide the basis for consistent implementation and verifiable quality assurance.
Project Partners
Project partners are the institutions implementing the program locally. They provide the professional, spatial and organizational context, integrate the forest bathing or forest therapy program into existing structures and are responsible for its practical implementation.
Development Partner
The development partner is the IM-WALD-SEIN® Academy (IWSA). It develops the program design and supports its professional development and implementation, including methodology, materials, staff training, process guidance and transfer into practice.
Certification Partner
The certification partner is the IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute (IWSI). It defines the quality framework and is responsible for assessment and certification. In clinical settings, certification is carried out in cooperation with the International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine (INFOM).
Considering Certification for Your Organization?
FAQ: Clinical Forest Therapy in Healthcare Settings
These FAQs provide a concise overview of the classification, quality framework, certification and implementation of Clinical Forest Therapy in healthcare settings according to the IWSI quality framework. If you would like to discuss your specific project, including timelines and costs, we would be happy to explore the next steps with you.
Are there binding standards for Forest Bathing or Clinical Forest Therapy in Germany?
At present, there are no nationally binding standards governing content, professional qualification or quality assurance in the fields of Forest Bathing and Clinical Forest Therapy in Germany. IWSI certification therefore provides an institute-specific quality framework that enables programs to be structured, reviewed and continuously developed.
Why is there an increasing focus on standards in Forest Therapy?
As nature-based health services become more widely established, the need for transparent and reliable quality criteria continues to grow. Standards help make programs comparable, support professional quality assurance and contribute to the evidence-informed development of the field over the long term.
Who is allowed to offer Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy?
Neither Forest Bathing nor Forest Therapy is a legally protected professional title in Germany. As a result, a wide range of providers may offer such programs. Legal considerations become particularly relevant where services are presented or promoted as the treatment of medical conditions. IWSI certification does not constitute a professional authorization; rather, it provides a quality framework for program design, implementation and review.
What does “certification” mean at the IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute for Forest Medicine and Forest Therapy?
Certification refers to a structured quality process through which Forest Bathing and Clinical Forest Therapy programs are reviewed against defined professional standards. IWSI certification establishes a transparent quality framework for the design, implementation, documentation and continuous development of nature-based health services within their respective fields of application.
What aspects are evaluated during certification?
Certification evaluates whether the program design, implementation and operating conditions meet the defined quality criteria. Particular attention is given to program structure and processes, roles and responsibilities, materials and communication, documentation procedures and site-specific implementation within the intended application context.
How does the certification process work?
The process follows a structured four-step pathway:
- Context and Site Check
- Concept and Standards
- Implementation and Pilot Phase
- Audit and Certification
This creates a transparent pathway from the initial project concept to certified implementation.
Who is responsible for what in the partner network?
Project partners are the local institutions and are responsible for practical implementation. The IM-WALD-SEIN® Academy (IWSA) serves as the development partner and supports program development, professional qualification and implementation. The IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute (IWSI) serves as the certification partner and is responsible for the quality framework, certification criteria and audit process. In clinical settings, certification is conducted in cooperation with the International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine (INFOM).
How can the effects of nature-based health programs be evaluated?
Effects and outcomes may be assessed through structured documentation, structured questionnaires and scientific research. When programs are implemented according to clearly defined methodological frameworks, results can be more effectively compared and interpreted across different projects and settings.
How long does certification typically take?
The timeframe depends on the specific application context, the maturity of any existing program and the coordination processes required at the local level. Certification involves several phases, from the initial context and site assessment through concept development and implementation to the final audit. During an initial consultation, the relevant conditions can be reviewed and realistic milestones established.
How can an organization apply for certification?
Organizations interested in developing or implementing forest- and nature-based health services within a quality-assured framework are invited to request an initial consultation. During this discussion, the application context, target groups, organizational conditions and potential certification pathway will be explored.