IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute | Certified Partner Network
Certified Partners: Clinical Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing in Clinics, Practices and Health-Related Settings
We are building a growing network of certified partners. This page presents organizations that integrate Clinical Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing into their specific fields of practice in accordance with the quality standards of the IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute for Forest Medicine and Forest Therapy (IWSI).
We are beginning with our certified clinical partners in Clinical Forest Therapy. Certified partner practices and further partners from health-related fields will be added step by step.
In clinical settings, certification is carried out by IWSI in cooperation with the International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine (INFOM). The structured certification process, with clearly defined phases and criteria, confirms that an organisation does more than simply offer a program: it shows that the relevant program line has been professionally coordinated, sustainably implemented and quality-assured. This creates reliable quality standards that make a real difference for patients, participants, practitioners and decision-makers in everyday practice.
Discover our certified clinical partners in Clinical Forest Therapy
Building a Network of Certified Partners for Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing
We are steadily expanding a growing network of partners who deliver forest- and nature-based health programs in accordance with recognised quality standards.
The focus is on clinical facilities in the fields of health prevention, rehabilitation and health resort medicine, as well as medical practices that integrate Clinical Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing into their care settings.
Further projects supporting the quality-assured implementation of Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy in medical practices have already been launched.
In addition, project collaborations are currently being developed with health tourism providers, companies and private forest owners.
To support these diverse areas of application, IWSI offers dedicated program pathways, while the IM-WALD-SEIN® Academy provides specialized training programs tailored to each implementation context.
All programs follow a common conceptual framework and are professionally supervised by IWSI.
IWSI-certified partners implement forest- and nature-based health services in a structured, transparent and quality-assured manner.
Clinical Forest Therapy in Rehabilitation and Specialist Clinics
Nature-based therapy components are systematically integrated into existing treatment concepts, such as orthopedic rehabilitation, psychosomatic medicine and multimodal pain therapy.
Forest Bathing and Forest Therapy for Medical Practices and Healthcare Professionals
Physicians and therapists can incorporate forest- and nature-based health services into patient care as professionally guided interventions.
Forest Bathing for Health Tourism Facilities and Forest Owners
Health resorts, health destinations, hotels and forest owners integrate evidence-informed Forest Bathing programmes into their visitor and guest services.
→ IWS Medical Wellness
Forest Bathing in Workplace Health Promotion
Employers can integrate forest- and nature-based health promotion into everyday working life as an effective and accessible component of employee health and wellbeing.
→ IWS Pro Health
Reliable. Evaluable. Scalable.
IWSI Certification: Quality Standards for Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing
IWSI certification provides a quality framework for Forest Bathing and Clinical Forest Therapy programs. It establishes standards for the design, implementation, professional qualification and quality assurance of forest- and nature-based health services.
Forest Bathing and Clinical Forest Therapy are rapidly evolving fields within the German healthcare landscape. Yet there are currently no generally binding standards for their implementation, professional qualification or quality assurance. The same applies to education and training programs, where content, scope, methodological structure and qualification certificates vary widely.
For this emerging field to develop on a scientifically sound and quality-oriented basis, it requires transparent and transferable quality frameworks that make practical implementation clear, consistent and comparable. The IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute for Forest Medicine and Forest Therapy therefore defines an institute-specific overarching standard for the work of its Academy and its partner projects. IWSI certification demonstrates that a program is not merely offered, but professionally coordinated, structurally embedded, sustainably implemented and supported by appropriate quality assurance measures.
The aim is to design forest- and nature-based services in such a way that their application becomes comparable, evaluable and scalable. In this context, scalable means that an approach can be adapted to different conditions — such as type of facility, target group, team structure or location — and implemented reproducibly without losing its professional substance.
On this basis, outcomes and effects can be systematically documented, evaluated and compared across projects.
What the IWSI certification achieves in practice
IWSI certification creates a shared quality framework for forest- and nature-based health services. It makes transparent which criteria are used to develop, implement and review programs. The framework combines practical experience from implementation projects with scientific findings from nature, health and stress research. This allows programs to be structured so that their implementation remains traceable and their application can be documented and evaluated. In this way, certification provides guidance for all stakeholders — whether services are implemented in clinics, medical practices, companies or other health-related settings. It contributes to quality transparency and to the structured development of nature-based health services in Germany.
For Participants and Patients
- Guidance on reviewed services and quality standards
- Structured use with clearly defined procedures and boundaries
- Transparency regarding reviewed institutions and programs
For Practitioners
- Clearly defined methodology and program logic
- Consistent implementation within teams and institutions
- Structured documentation and development of professional practice
For Decision-Makers
- Traceable quality criteria for development and implementation
- Clear distribution of roles within the partner network
- Basis for evaluation and long-term quality development
Across All Areas of Application
- Greater comparability of programs and projects
- Better transferability across different institutions and settings
- Systematic documentation of effects and outcomes
- Contribution to the structured development of forest- and nature-based services across health-promoting, therapeutic and rehabilitative settings
Transparent. Verifiable. Valid.
Certification Process for Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing: Roles and Responsibilities
Transparent responsibilities and a clear separation between project work, development and certification create traceable standards and form the basis for consistent implementation and verifiable quality assurance.
Project partners
Project partners are the respective local institutions.
They provide the spatial and content-related context, integrate the Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy program into their structures and are responsible for practical implementation in day-to-day operations.
Development partner
The development partner is the IM-WALD-SEIN® Academy (IWSA).
It develops the application design and supports professional development and implementation through methodology, materials, personalization, process support and practical transfer.
Certification partner
The certification partner is the IM-WALD-SEIN® Institute (IWSI).
It is responsible for the quality framework and the certification audit; in the clinical sector, this is carried out in cooperation with the International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine (INFOM).
Structured. Standardized. Transferable.
Four-Step Certification Process
The certification process follows a clearly structured pathway. It combines professional development, site-specific implementation and independent review. This creates a clear pathway from the initial project idea to certified implementation.
01 Context and location check →
Framework conditions and the application context are analyzed jointly. This includes assessing how the program can be meaningfully and sustainably integrated into existing structures.
- Analysis of target groups and fields of application
- Assessment of spatial conditions and the natural environment
- Integration into existing therapy, health or service structures
- Clarification of organizational responsibilities
- Definition of project goals and framework conditions
02 Concept and Standards →
Based on the site analysis, the program is professionally developed and adapted to the specific context. This results in a clearly usable format.
- Development or adaptation of the program design
- Definition of content, process structure and methodological elements
- Specification of therapeutic or health-related objectives
- Development of materials and documentation structures
- Alignment with existing services and workflows
03 Implementation and piloting →
The program is introduced into practical operation and integrated into existing structures. A pilot phase allows practical experience to be systematically evaluated.
- Involvement of the responsible practitioners
- Introduction to the program’s process, structure and content
- Implementation under real-world practice conditions
- Ongoing documentation and collection of practical experience
- Adjustment and fine-tuning of implementation
04 Audit and Certification
After the implementation phase, a formal review is carried out using defined quality criteria. The audit examines the structure, integration and documentation of the implementation.
- Review of structural and professional implementation
- Assessment of integration into existing structures
- Review of documentation and quality criteria
- Audit by the certification partner
- Certification awarded once all requirements have been met
- Certification documents that a program has been developed in a structured way, implemented in a site-specific context and embedded within a quality-assured framework.
Transparent. To the point.
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. For further questions, including timelines and costs, we would be pleased to discuss your specific context and outline the most appropriate next steps.
Are there officially 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 services 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 a 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.
