InstitutE Green Therapy
CONTINUING EDUCATION - TRAINING-CONTINUING EDUCATION. NATURE THERAPY. NATURE-BASED THERAPY. GREEN CARE. ECOTHERAPY - ECOTHERAPY. GARDEN THERAPY. FOREST THERAPY - FOREST BATHING.
"...a really great program that stands out from the existing garden therapy market. I really appreciate that this exists and that I (also quite so. Close-up) learning was allowed. Thank you also for the support during this time - that often gave me a lot of nice ideas. I feel very empowered by this." (CB., November 2023)
Advanced training 2025
Nature-assisted therapy
Nature-assisted therapy
Some changes are planned for the 2025 training period. In the future, the self-awareness modules will also be taught as so-called nature-supported methods. These modules are both at the same time, getting to know and individually experiencing the methods as self-experience. This part of the method is particularly suitable for professions the areas: educators, social work, pedagogy, teachers. The modules will be updated and adapted for these professional groups.
Training now in 3 sections:
The training can now also be attended in three sections:
Nature-assisted methods I+II and then the qualification & deepening phase: Nature-assisted therapy.
Advance notice: Study trip New Zealand - March 2026
This study trip with references to nature-assisted therapy is in preparation. The duration will be 4 weeks. We will examine the climate therapeutic & geopsychic effects of various Explore landscapes and also artistically express your individual experience. more info -->here
The rhythm of emergence
The following text is an excerpt from a book, that is:
"To Bless the space between us"
by an Irish poet, philosopher, author and priest John O'Donohue.
I want to share his thoughts with you about what it means to end something and start something different and trust that every transition includes a new possibility, new Possibilities included.
He reminds us that development has its own rhythm and happens even when we don't see it. And a change can also be sudden and absolute.
The beauty of nature has its own time, everything is prepared, nothing rushes.
(...) The beauty of nature has its own time, everything is prepared, nothing rushes. The rhythm of the appearance is like a slow beat that drives forward.
Because nothing happens abruptly, we often don't notice the beginning of spring. He is there before we see Him and then we can't look anywhere without seeing Him.
Developing is one of the big dreams of everyone, every heart, changing boundaries, always the same sequences, the banality of life, the pain.
And it doesn't seem that easy. Often we choose the old patterns, to keep the old patterns, rather than risking the risk of change. (...)
Great changes are fermented beneath the surface of our lives. You can ask yourself at any time:
at what point, threshold am I standing at this time in my life? What am I about to leave? Where am I about to enter? What's stopping me from breaking the next threshold? Which gift would help me do it?
A threshold is not just a simple boundary, it is a boundary that separates two different spaces, rhythms and atmospheres.
translated from English, by Petra Kammerer
"if you care for green, you care for green"
(Patrick Urban)
Introduction
Nature-assisted therapy - Green Care
The term green care refers to all those activities related to physical, psychological, educational, or social preservation or Support measures that use nature, animals or plants in terms of content.
Garden therapy
The term originally comes from English and is derived from the local horticultural therapy. Whereby im English between horticultural therapy, therapeutic horticulture, and social and therapeutic horticulture is distinguished.
horticultural therapy
In the former, therapy with plants is offered – usually as part of a garden.
therapeutic horticulture
At therapeutic horticulture, the focus is on garden activities and there is no therapeutic one Construction.
social and therapeutic horticulture
In social and therapeutic horticulture gardening activity is also central, although there is also social exchange is emphasized.
The IGT:BERLIN uses the term "horticultural experience", which refers to all activities and interactions that occur alone, in a group, in the interior Terrace, green area or garden related to plants whose cultivation, care and harvesting take place.
Why nature-based methods?
The term "nature-supported" sets a framework in which a wide variety of disciplines find an umbrella.
e.g. garden therapy is a targeted, therapeutic process that can fill you up in the garden and/or greenhouse.
Waldbaden is no longer necessarily therapeutic, but has a healing effect on the body and emotionality, which has been scientifically proven. Both procedures work with and in the Nature, that is to say, are based on conditions and what exists of the corresponding designed (garden) or undesigned nature (landscape, forest).
Nature-based interventions - a definition
an intervention is always a targeted, planned, conscious "activity" towards a "goal". So I need further information about what conditions exist (without always citing the cause know) and "What"
to do. A nature-based intervention has different forms and can activate, promote, maintain or be therapeutic.
Nature-based interventions are based on targeted action and use nature in the broadest sense, applying and referring to the within things included.
The approach
Awareness based & Social therapeutic horticulture, Landscape THERAPY
The spectrum of nature-based interventions
A training module is dedicated to mindfulness-based forest stays. Art and creativity and thus designing with natural materials, land art, labyrinth and maze walkable places in landscapes or parks are also content. Life-historical reflection and personality structure (with a depth psychological connection) is discussed in another Module addressed by designing a garden model. Sensorimotor support along with participation related to occupational therapy represents another training unit. Central all modules include repeated exercises from the spectrum of mindfulness procedures and sharing what you have experienced in so-called sharing. In the Gardening Experience module we work in a nurturing manner & creative in a community garden and will also make references to physiotherapy. The IGT:BERLIN bases activities and content on scientific principles found in studies are documented --> Example of international studies
Method of mindfulness and sharing
The IGT Berlin focuses on the approach of experiences in the garden and nature, which are experienced as in self-awareness and mindfulness exercises become. In so-called sharing I share my experiences, show myself and become visible as the person I am. Here can Body sensations, thoughts or even emotions are communicated.
Working with metaphors
the exercises and methods of further training are always about researching your own personality structure, how am I as a person World: "What speaks to me? Where do I build resistance? Which behaviors, communication and values are immanent to me?" Metaphors help us to reflect on our own humanity and also to perceive depth psychological aspects of our personality structure more consciously.
Gardening experience
Movement mobilization by working & working in the garden using garden tools.
Meaningful experience through participation in the annual cycle of nature.
Forest Therapy - Healing stays in forests and nature / Shinrinyoku
The Multisensory stimulation and movement mobilization with their positive effects on the body and psyche through their stay in the Nature. Even a short stay in the forest has a positive effect on people's physical and mental state. Forest doesn't impose itself, doesn't reject. We can freely pursue our needs for movement and sensory experience - focused or open. If we do some perceptual exercises at the beginning of a forest period in order to address and activate body perception, breathing, cardiovascular system, balance, emotions, "forest time" succeeds in its effectiveness more consciously Experience. ...read more
who am I?
The first modules of the training are self-research. Through nature-supported activities and exercises, we explore individual experiences and personality structures. Reflection & sharing (sharing experience content in the group) leads to a deeper understanding: That's how I am.
Interventions
The nature-supported therapy training relates to content, methods and interventions in the areas of:
Biography work, art therapy, land type, gardening, psychotherapy, depth psychology, sensory training, forest therapy, metaphor work, sharing, mindfulness
procedures, anamnesis. ...more
It's always about working with materials, places, objects or metaphors - with and in nature.
Terms
some notes on terms used in vocational education:
Training, vocational training, advanced training, continuing training, additional qualification here...
Landscape therapy/climate therapy
In landscape and climate therapy, the natural climatic environmental stimuli of special areas are used naturally to accelerate healing. Particularly healing are stays on the sea, in the middle and high mountains. The appearance, one's own experience in the landscape, is also mentally effective (geopsychic effect) Whether lush, barren, harsh or lovely, depending on the geological shape/climate zone, the peculiarities of flora and fauna, landscapes have very different effects on the mental mood. Some image examples (so) from Research stays and future offers are planned to also hold courses on site.
Further training
Examples from project and guidance practice
Building and maintaining a worm box
The medicine wheel
Plants and Place - Biography work with families
Climate breakfast with saved food
Exploring the Barefoot Trail
Experience herbs & tea tasting
Fermentation & Tasting (Kombucha/Kefir)
Tree slices in the city – research and classification
Garden design of my allotment garden
City gardening on a tree slice
Garden models with vegetables
Success gallery as a collage with natural materials
Nature Writing
"...The findings benefit me privately in my garden and professionally as a pedagogical specialist in a daycare center. The IGT:BERLIN team gave me new
perspectives Types of activity and artistic engagement with nature in the forest and garden. The training is well thought out, practical and was carried out with a lot of commitment and Empathy
done!..."
(BL., Oct 2020)
News
The 5 elements: online course
Started on 10.11.24
The practice of the 5 elements can be practice
The 5 Elements 2025
4.-10.8.2025
The theory of elements is used in many traditions and healing methods, for example in traditional Chinese. Medicine, the 5 elements with corresponding phases of change. In Tibetan practice the elements earth, air, fire & space are also used as meditation content for imagination exercises in order to gain a deeper understanding of the connections in nature and space to achieve humanity.
Representational exercises, such as researching different qualities of standing or flowing water (or other elements), are also practiced. Each element corresponds to one Aggregate state and also a sensory perception (earth - - > feeling).
Through experiences with the elements, the sensory areas are addressed and material can be obtained at the metaphor level in order to further research and exchange ideas. Neuroscience confirms the effect of imagination exercises that have been used in the Tibetan tradition for centuries, for example.
In this course we will explore the qualities of the 5 elements in nature. Through the exercises we come into contact with the elemental qualities within us. With the help of imagination exercises let's research our "inner elements" on the levels of body, emotion and mind (cognition). We gain knowledge about our individual elemental aspects and practice exercises Balancing the elements can also be very practical exercises with the elements. here -->
Nature experience Madeira
May 2025
Location: Funchal with daily excursions to various places on the island.
Program and further information will follow.
Why nature-based methods?
more --> here
Interview Waldbaden
In conversation with Jordis Dony from Benediktushof Holzkirchen: about the Waldbaden interview here -->
2025
Further training 2025
Nature-assisted therapy
Three training phases
31.3.-4.4. or
7.-11. APRIL 2025
Part 1 - Nature-based methods - indoor
2.-6.6. or
7.-11. JULY 2025
Part 2-Nature-supported methods - outdoor
OCTOBER 2025, Wednesdays 17-20
Part 3 - Qualification & deepening: Nature-supported therapy
EXPERIENCE NATURE
2025
May
EXPERIENCE NATURE MADEIRA as a professional development
important note:
the times are always Monday to Friday all day. It is possible to plan with the weekend before and after with a total of 9 days in Madeira.
12.-16.5.2025 &
19.-23.5.2025
December
NATURE EXPERIENCE MADEIRA 23.12.-2.1.26
outlook
March 2026
Study trip New Zealand
This study trip with references to nature-assisted therapy is in preparation. The duration will be 4 weeks. We will examine the climate therapeutic & geopsychic effects of various Explore landscapes and also artistically express your individual experience. more info -->here
January 2026
5.-9.1.2026
EXPERIENCE NATURE MADEIRA
important note:
the times are always Monday to Friday all day. It is possible to plan with the weekend before and after with a total of 9 days in Madeira.
Archive
Activities
Lectures
Nature-assisted therapy
Metaphor work & experiencing nature
Advice to institutions
Design & work in community gardens
Workshops
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Making a forest scent
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Making tea blends
& Tea Tastings -
The garden as a mirror of the soul
Working on the garden model -
The 5 elements
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Landart
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Poetry with & in nature
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Artistic design with natural materials
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Working with clay
Shinrin Yoku
closed group &
at the Benediktushof Holzkirchen -->here
Literature recommendation
ISBN 978-3-608-40179-0
Published on the 16th. november 2024
a helpful handbook to provide an overview of the various developments and methods in nature-assisted therapy
ISBN-10: 3849813185
Basic work on classic garden therapy with therapy garden/greenhouse.
with CD templates for therapy plan/anamnesis, among other things
ISBN 978-3-456-84784-9
ISBN-10: 9780241346952
Further education
Participate
Advice
Infos
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IGT:BERLIN ● Patrick Urban ● Dipl. BPäd/Dipl.-Ing. ● Psychotherapist HPG ● Garden consultantScroll