Gain practical therapeutic techniques to support children’s wellbeing, regulation and participation
Develop a deeper understanding of behaviour, communication, emotional regulation, attachment and additional needs, with specialist teaching from our award-winning paediatric therapists, including experts in Clinical Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy, alongside experienced Forest School practitioners.
The Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders (CITS) is designed for Forest School and Outdoor Leaders who want to bring greater therapeutic understanding into their existing practice.
You'll explore some of the reasons children may struggle to communicate, regulate, build relationships or participate, and develop practical approaches you can use to make your outdoor practice more inclusive and therapeutically supportive.
Next online cohort starts 1st December 2026
Forest School can provide valuable opportunities for connection, confidence, emotional wellbeing and development.
But as an Outdoor Leader, you'll also work with children whose needs aren't always straightforward.
A child might repeatedly withdraw from group activities.
Another might become overwhelmed by transitions or struggle to regulate when something changes.
A child who appears not to listen may be struggling to understand what's being asked of them.
And approaches that work brilliantly for one child may not work for another.
The Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders gives you an opportunity to explore some of the psychology, communication, attachment, development and therapeutic knowledge that can help you better understand these situations and make informed decisions within your own role.
The programme has trained more than 600 Outdoor Leaders, with more than 190 Approved Practitioners across the UK and internationally.
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CITS is specialist professional development for people who already have experience supporting children outdoors.
It may be a useful next step if you:
Want to better understand what may sit behind behaviour rather than simply responding to what you see
Support children with SEND, neurodivergence or additional needs
Want more confidence supporting emotional regulation and wellbeing outdoors
Want to make your communication and sessions more inclusive
Sometimes recognise that a child needs something different but aren't sure what to try next
Want to understand the evidence and therapeutic thinking behind approaches you may already use instinctively
Want to develop your practice without training to become a therapist
Our learners come from a range of professional backgrounds, including Forest School, education, SEND and additional needs, outdoor learning, psychology, health and wellbeing.
A deeper understanding of behaviour
Learn to look beyond what a child is doing and consider some of the developmental, emotional, relational and communication factors that may be influencing their behaviour.
More ways to support emotional regulation
Develop your understanding of emotional wellbeing and regulation and explore approaches that can help children feel safer and more able to participate.
More inclusive communication
Explore how communication needs can affect a child's experience at Forest School and how adapting your own communication can make participation more accessible.
Greater understanding of attachment and relationships
Learn how attachment theory can inform your understanding of children's relationships and behaviour, including approaches to supporting Looked After Children.
A wider therapeutic toolkit
Explore strategies and approaches from different therapeutic disciplines and consider how they can be applied appropriately within an outdoor setting.
Greater confidence in your professional decisions
Develop the knowledge and language to put greater reasoning behind your practice and explain your decisions to colleagues, parents and other professionals.
I have done lots of training over the years but TF is by far the best. I love the way the courses are so flexible and give different ways of learning. The short videos and activities are so useful and the fact that the content remains available to re access at any time."
There isn't always one explanation for why a child is struggling.
The Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders brings together different professional perspectives so you can develop a broader understanding of the children you support.
Explore child development, emotional wellbeing, emotional regulation, attachment and relationships, helping you consider some of the factors that may sit behind behaviour.
Develop your understanding of communication, interaction and language development, including how communication needs can affect a child's ability to understand, express themselves and participate.
Learn more about sensory processing, participation and how a child's needs and environment can influence their experience.
Bring these perspectives back to real outdoor practice, considering what specialist therapeutic knowledge can mean when you're working with children in a Forest School setting.
The Certificate in Therapeutic Skills does not train you to become a psychologist, therapist, Speech and Language Therapist or Occupational Therapist.
Instead, you'll learn from these disciplines so you can make better-informed decisions and develop your own practice within the boundaries of your role.
The Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders is made up of four core modules alongside guest expert and lived-experience sessions.
This programme is taught by accredited Psychologists, Therapists, and Forest School Leaders, which means you have access to a multi- disciplinary team of specialists who will be able to enhance your current skills and help you develop new ones
Core Course modules are led by Dr Charlotte Dunster- Page Clinical Psychologist and Award Winning Speech and Language Therapist Caspian Jamie.
Guest speakers from a range of backgrounds and disciplines
3 Interactive Webinars from Therapeutic Specialists, including a Play Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Clinical Psychologist
Delivered by Clinical Psychologist, Dr Charlotte Dunster-Page
Key Topics:
Supporting the emotional well-being of children in forest settings
Improving emotional regulation
Assisting with growth mindset
Using solution focused approaches
Promoting resilience and motivation
Delivered by Speech and Language Therapist and Forest School Leader, Caspian Jamie
Key Topics:
Creating inclusive sessions
Reducing anxiety at Forest School
A Total Communication Approach
Adapting our Communication at Forest School
Delivered by Clinical Psychologist, Dr Charlotte Dunster-Page
Key Topics:
Understanding attachment theory
Tailoring strategies you can apply at Forest School to different attachment styles
Supporting Looked After Children
Delivered by Speech and Language Therapist and Forest School Leader, Caspian Jamie
Key Topics:
Supporting Speech and Language Development
Developing Social Communication Skills
Recording Outcome Measures
During the course, we are joined by Guest Expert Speakers ranging from:
Researcher and Lecturer, Dr Alexia Barrable
Clinical Psychologist, Dr Sam Walker
Outdoor Occupational Therapist, Steph Snowball
Nature-Based Play Therapist, Shuna Mercer
on a range of topics from implementing play therapy approaches at Forest School and meeting sensory processing needs to children's emotional recovery and the research into nature connection.
A Conversation with Andy from Spectrum Gaming (Supporting Autistic Young People)
A Conversation with Kirsty, Forest School Leader (Supporting Autistic Young People)
A Conversation with Sian, Forest School Leader (Supporting Young People with ADHD)
A Conversation with Imogen, Forest School Leader (Supporting Young People who disclose sexual abuse)
You can choose to study online or in-person. The next online course begins on the 1st December. The next in-person course dates haven't yet been announced. Join the waiting list to be the first to hear!
The Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor leaders is designed to fit around your existing work and commitments.
The course begins with Welcome Week before moving into the four core modules. You'll receive a suggested timetable to help structure your learning, but the programme is flexibly paced and you can take longer where needed.
Most learners should allow approximately 3-4 hours of study per week.
Your learning includes:
Short pre-recorded videos accessed through our online learning platform
Workbook activities to help you explore and apply your learning
Three live specialist webinars, with recordings available
Two live discussion and assessment sessions
Two optional study sessions where course mentors can work through workbook activities with you
Guest expert and lived-experience sessions
Opportunities to ask questions and receive support from the team
Live sessions take place via Zoom in the evening, with dates provided in advance.
You do not need to be available for every live session to take part. Recordings and alternative participation options are available where appropriate.
The in-person programme offers the same specialist therapeutic learning with additional opportunities to explore ideas practically, discuss real-life situations and learn alongside other Outdoor Leaders face-to-face.
The course is delivered across four in-person training days, giving you dedicated time away from your usual working environment to explore the course content with our multidisciplinary team and other practitioners.
Your learning includes:
Face-to-face teaching from our specialist multidisciplinary team
Practical activities and exercises to help you apply therapeutic approaches outdoors
Group discussions exploring real situations from Forest School and outdoor practice
Reflective activities to help you connect the learning with your own work
Opportunities to ask questions and explore ideas directly with the course team
Learning alongside other Forest School and Outdoor Leaders, with opportunities to share experiences and approaches
Access to supporting course materials and resources
The in-person format is particularly suited to learners who value discussion, practical exploration and learning through shared experience.
There is no traditional exam.
The Certificate in Therapeutic Skills is passed through completion and participation.
To successfully complete the programme, you'll need to:
Work through the course materials on the online platform, including the webinars and guest sessions.
Participate in both assessment sessions. You can do this live via Zoom or submit a written or video response if you cannot attend.
Submit your short completion form once you have finished the course.
Your certificate will then be issued by email, usually within 4 -8 weeks.
You'll have support available throughout the programme, including optional study sessions, opportunities to ask questions through the learning platform and direct support from the team.
The Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders features specialist course material that is designed for those who already possess experience in outdoor teaching and working with children.
Applicants who are Level 3 certified Forest School Leaders will gain automatic acceptance and enrolment to the course.
However, we value diverse experiences, so we also welcome applications from those with significant experience working in the outdoors or with children who have additional needs.
This course could also be well suited to you if you have a degree in a health and wellbeing based field, such as psychology. If you have a relevant background and experience, you can apply for entry to the course and your application will be assessed on an individual basis.
Once you’ve successfully completed the course you will gain your Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders.
This certification also demonstrates to schools, funders, and parents that you are committed to continuing professional development and the inclusion of children with a wide range of needs. You will leave the course with a toolkit of techniques to support wellbeing of children with a wide variety of needs and can immediately apply your new skills to your practice.
For those who wish to continue their learning journey, we offer an ‘Approved Practitioner’ programme. As part of the programme you can use our logo on your website and promotional materials, access an online workspace where you can benefit from peer support, advice from our paediatric therapy team and further CPD opportunities at a cost of £96 per year/£8.50 a month.
The Therapeutic Forest CIC is a Social Enterprise founded by a team of therapists with a passion for the outdoors.
Our Therapeutic Skills training programme for Forest School and Outdoor Leaders is the first of its kind in the world. To date we have trained more than 600 Outdoor Leaders and have over 190 Approved Practitioner's across the UK and Internationally.
Delivered via our self-paced learning platform, you'll get started with Welcome Week on our course start date before beginning Module 1 and following our course timetable over 8 weeks, and longer if you prefer.
The core content is made up of short videos and a series of tasks on our online platform so that you can access them in your own time and with Guest Speakers and Course Mentor-led Study Sessions in the evening.
Costs £420 / £35 per month
Starts on 1st December 2026
Delivered over 4 days, you'll learn all the content delivered as part of the Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders with lots of discussion and walk away on day 4 with your certificate.
An opportunity to meet like-minded Forest School Leaders!
The same content as online but delivered in-person
Costs £520 / £43.50 per month
The next course dates haven't yet been announced. Join the waiting list for more information.
Whether you're ready to join the next cohort or simply want to keep CITS on your radar, you can choose the next step that works for you.
The next online Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders starts on 1st December 2026.