Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Program
A practice-informed program for health and allied professionals and anyone interested in learning how to design, facilitate or integrate therapeutic horticulture programs or activities into community, clinical or care settings.
How the program works
The Therapeutic Horticulture (TH) Certificate Program is designed to support a wide range of learners, whether you are just beginning your relationship with TH or looking to deepen and formalize your practice. The program allows you to build knowledge and skills while continuing to work, study, or volunteer in your existing role. Learners follow two steps, outlined below.
Step 1: Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture course
Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture is a self-paced online course designed for professionals and aspiring practitioners who want to enter the field or integrate nature-based approaches into their existing work. It provides the strong foundation and grounds learners in what therapeutic horticulture is, how it is applied, and the settings and populations it serves.
Through evidence-informed, practice-based instruction, you’ll explore the theoretical foundations, ethical guidelines, and professional values that support safe and inclusive TH practice. The course introduces facilitation considerations and foundational horticultural knowledge, including how tools and techniques can be adapted to support diverse physical, emotional, and cognitive needs.Â
Outcome: Completion Certificate & Digital Badge
Step 2: Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitation, Design and Practice course
After completing Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture, you’ll be ready to take the next step with the Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitation, Design and Practice course.
This course is designed for practitioners who want to build the knowledge and practical skills needed to confidently facilitate therapeutic horticulture programs in healthcare, recreation, education, and community settings.
You’ll learn how to design meaningful plant and nature-based activities, develop session plans that align with participant goals and abilities, adapt tools and materials, and support safe, engaging experiences. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your professional practice through documentation, program planning, and evidence-informed decision-making.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the confidence and practical strategies to deliver therapeutic horticulture programs that are purposeful, person-centred, and responsive to the unique needs of the people you serve.
Outcome: Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate & Digital Badge
Who this program is for
The TH Certificate Program is for learners who want to use therapeutic horticulture in intentional, informed ways. It is well suited for:
- Allied health and helping professionals, such as recreational and occupational therapists, social workers, nurses, educators and community health workers
- Professionals working in long-term care, healthcare, community or holistic health, education or social services
- Therapeutic horticulture practitioners or horticultural therapists seeking to deepen facilitation skills, expand program development knowledge or strengthen professional credentials
- Students in fields such as rehabilitation, human services, horticulture, education or public health who want to strengthen their skills while earning a certificate that could give them a competitive edge in the job market
- Individuals exploring professional or volunteer roles in therapeutic horticulture
Whether you are layering therapeutic horticulture into an existing role or exploring how it fits into a future path, this program is designed to meet you where you are and support your next steps.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Every practitioner’s journey into therapeutic horticulture is different. Some are ready to integrate TH into an existing role, while others are still building a program or exploring where TH fits into their future work. All certificate pathways begin with the Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture course. What comes next depends on your goals, context, and responsibilities.
Below are two common learning paths. If one resonates, you can explore it further — and if you see yourself in parts of both, that’s completely normal.
Path 1: Integrating TH into an Existing Setting
Path 2: Building a Program from the Ground Up
Recommended sequence:
Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture → Advanced TH Program Development & Management Skills → Advanced TH Facilitation Skills
This path may be a good fit if you:
- Are still seeking a site, funding, or organizational support for a TH program
- Want to understand and/or feel more confident in how to design, justify, and sustain a program before stepping into facilitation
- Are exploring entrepreneurial, consulting, advocacy, or community-based TH roles
Why this order works:
You’ll begin with learning foundational TH principles, then focus on how to build a credible, values-aligned program, then develop the facilitation skills needed to bring it to life in practice.
Still unsure?
Many learners recognize themselves in parts of both paths. That’s expected — and it doesn’t limit your options. You can complete one advanced certificate and pause, or return later to continue your training when it makes sense for you. If it would be helpful to talk it through, you’re welcome to book a short call with Emilee Weaver, Director of Learning & Community Engagement, to explore what path might best support your goals.
FAQs
How long does the certificate pathway take to complete?
The Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture course can be taken at any time of year. The are facilitated by an instructor and therefore offered at specific times throughout the year, which is the primary factor that may influence when learners begin or complete the full certificate.
Will this qualify me as a Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner or Horticultural Therapist?
This pathway does not confer a protected professional title or licensure in horticultural therapy. Instead, it provides structured, evidence-informed training that prepares learners to thoughtfully and ethically integrate therapeutic horticulture into existing professional, caregiving, community, or volunteer roles.
Completion of the pathway demonstrates that you have acquired and retained the foundational knowledge and skills needed to practice therapeutic horticulture in applied settings. While you will not hold an externally conferred or regulated Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner credential, the certificate reflects meaningful preparation and competency in TH-informed practice.
Professional titles and scopes of practice vary by region, discipline, and governing bodies, and learners are encouraged to align their use of therapeutic horticulture with the standards and requirements relevant to their field.
Is this program applicable and transferable outside North America?
Yes. Root in Nature’s courses are taken by learners around the world. While examples may draw from North American contexts in many cases, the principles, facilitation strategies, and program development frameworks are broadly applicable across settings and regions.
What the certificate represents
The Root in Nature Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Pathway represents structured, evidence-informed training in the thoughtful use of plants and nature to support health and wellbeing. It reflects a practitioner’s commitment to ethical practice, inclusive facilitation, and ongoing professional learning within the field of therapeutic horticulture.
Completion of progressive coursework in therapeutic horticulture facilitation and/or program development and management, informed by current practice and field-based expertise
Verification by the Root in Nature instructor, a registered horticultural therapist, that the learner has completed the required coursework and demonstrated understanding of the course content
Readiness to integrate therapeutic horticulture into professional practice, caregiving, community programming, or volunteer roles, in ways that are appropriate to one’s setting and scope
Alignment with professional values that prioritize safety, accessibility, reflection, and participant-centered care
Support & community in GrowTH Network
Learning therapeutic horticulture doesn’t end when a course is complete. As part of the Root in Nature learning ecosystem, participants in the Certificate Pathway are supported through access to the GrowTH Network—a professional community designed to help practitioners apply what they’ve learned, reflect on practice, and stay connected to the evolving field.
Through the GrowTH Network, you’ll find practical resources such as a growing activity database, research and readings, and tools to support facilitation and program development. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with peers through facilitated calls, private messaging, and community forums, learning alongside practitioners working in a wide range of settings and regions.
Whether you’re just beginning to integrate therapeutic horticulture or expanding your role over time, the GrowTH Network offers a supportive space for ongoing learning, shared problem-solving, and professional connection.