Advanced Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitation Skills Course

Course Summary

Advanced Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitation Skills is designed for those who are ready to build or strengthen their hands-on facilitation practice. The course focuses on delivering intentional, plant and nature-based programming in both indoor and outdoor settings, with an emphasis on aligning and adapting horticultural activities and session plans with participant needs, abilities, goals, and desired outcomes.

You’ll build practical skills related to activity planning, materials sourcing, documentation, and professional practice, alongside strategies for adapting tools, managing safety, and supporting diverse participants across community and clinical environments. Grounded in real-world application, the course supports confident, ethical facilitation at the intersection of plants and people.

This course is fully online, cohort-based learning with a blend of self-paced content and live, interactive sessions.

Emilee Weaver, Director of Learning & Community Engagement

Watch a Course Preview

Get a glimpse inside the course with this 13-minute preview video. It brings together a series of clips from the lessons, giving you a feel for the learning style, topics covered, and the supportive approach that guides you through the foundations of therapeutic horticulture.

Course Description

The Advanced TH Facilitation Skills course is designed to provide rich, foundational knowledge and the horticultural skills required to facilitate both indoor and outdoor therapeutic plant- and nature-based programming. You’ll learn how to match horticultural activities with desired treatment outcomes and design TH activities and session plans that align with participant needs, abilities, and goals.

Throughout the course, we’ll provide guidance on how to source, purchase, calculate, document, and invoice for TH activity labor and materials in a clear, professional way. You’ll also learn how to manage and track tools safely, adapt tools and techniques to support diverse participants, and proactively govern the safety of therapeutic horticulture programs across community and clinical environments.

This course blends practical, hands-on facilitation skills with the specialized knowledge that emerges at the intersection of plants and people, helping you build the confidence and competence needed to deliver thoughtful, therapeutic, nature-based experiences.

Course Dates & Format

Course dates: March 14 – May 10
Live sessions: March 19 & May 7 from 6:30 pm – 8 pm
Format: Fully online, peer cohort-based learning
Structure: Self-paced lessons combined with two scheduled live Zoom sessions and group forum interactions

Where to find your course: Sign in to your account and go to Courses → My Courses to access the course and manual (if purchased)
Access: Lifetime access to all course content and materials

Course Fee & Manual

Course Fee: $450 USD
Course Manual (optional): $25 USD

The course manual is a comprehensive PDF that captures all the main points from the course in one place. It’s designed to:

Consolidate the key concepts so you can focus on learning instead of taking extensive notes
Serve as a lasting reference, like a textbook you can return to anytime
Support open-book quiz completion

While not required, many students find the manual to be a helpful resource they continue using well beyond the course.

What's Included

Registration fee includes:

Eight Video-based lessons with resources
Six quizzes
Guest speaker videos
Upon completion, an Advanced Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitation Certificate and digital badge
Lifetime access to the course
Eligibility for CE credits (NCTRC, APNCC, TRO, and CHTA points)
Bonus: Two month free membership to GrowTH Network, our international community of therapeutic horticulture practitioners, which includes:
- A Resource Library filled with ready-to-use tools and templates
- A TH Activity Database that is sortable in multiple ways
- Expert-led monthly practitioner support calls
- Professional development events

Time Commitment

Total time: Approximately 30–32 hours over 8 weeks

Estimated breakdown:

Self-paced video lessons: ~15 hours
Quizzes & resource review: ~2-4 hours
Live class sessions: ~3.5 hours
Assignments: ~8–12 hours

Pacing & Flexibility

Video lessons can be completed at your own pace throughout the 8-week course period.
There are no mandatory deadlines other than the final day of the course.
A suggested weekly pacing guide is provided to support engagement and help you build momentum.

Feedback & Assessment

Assignments are assessed using a pass/fail system.
To receive full credit, all assignments must be submitted and receive a passing grade by the final day of the course.
A suggested pacing guide is provided for learners who want ongoing engagement and feedback throughout the course. Weekly instructor feedback is shared with the cohort, along with individualized feedback on the final assignment.
Learners who choose a more flexible pace are still supported and will receive comprehensive instructor feedback at the conclusion of the course.

This structure allows you to engage deeply with the material while adapting your learning to fit your personal and professional commitments.

Continuing Education Credits

Application pending with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) for pre-approval of 12 continuing education hours
Approved by the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association (CHTA) for 0.3 points per 40 contact hours of instruction
Accepted by many Master Gardener programs, as the course meets common criteria for continuing education in U.S. and Canadian programs

What You'll Gain:

Practical facilitation skills to design, structure, and deliver intentional TH activities and session plans across indoor and outdoor settings
Confidence in adapting environments, tools, techniques, and tasks to support participant needs, abilities, and strengths during facilitation
Applied knowledge of TH-specific safety practices, including recognizing and managing risks across environmental, physical, cognitive, emotional, and horticultural domains
Experience navigating the professional realities of facilitation, including site and participant assessment, materials sourcing and budgeting, documentation, and ethical practice
Recognition through a digital badge and eligibility for continuing education (CE) credits (NCTRC®, APNCC, TRO, CHTA)
A two-month complimentary membership in the GrowTH Network, providing access to facilitation resources, peer support calls, and an international practitioner community

Meet Your Instructors

Emilee Weaver

With over 25 years in professional horticulture and 15 years dedicated to developing therapeutic horticulture and horticultural therapy programs, Emilee Weaver is a respected leader, educator, and practitioner in the field. She co-authored The Profession and Practice of Horticultural Therapy (2019), one of the first comprehensive textbooks in the discipline, and served as lead instructor and content developer for university-based therapeutic horticulture certificate programs in the U.S. Emilee’s work has spanned clinical, community, and educational settings, with a focus on the intersection of horticulture and mental health. Most recently, she has helped expand therapeutic horticulture internationally, partnering with Ukrainian and Armenian botanical gardens and clinicians supporting communities affected by war. Her lifelong love of plants began in the fern-filled forests of New Hampshire and was nurtured by her grandmother’s influence. When she’s not teaching or consulting, Emilee can be found tending her garden, chatting with her tortoises, keeping her cats out of mischief, and spending time with family and friends who continue to inspire her journey.

Katie McGillivray, HTR

Katie McGillivray is a Registered Horticultural Therapist (HTR) and member of the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association. Since 2014, she has supported therapeutic horticulture projects and programs for a wide range of populations, guided by an asset-based, client-centered, and strengths-focused approach. Katie holds a certificate in horticultural therapy from Ann Kent and completed academic studies in counselling, horticulture, agriculture, psychology, and research. Her work often connects therapeutic horticulture with community food security and food justice, areas where she continues to inspire meaningful, hands-on engagement with nature. Beyond her professional practice, Katie is an enthusiastic home cook and avid paddleboarder who finds joy in cultivating both gardens and community.

We love hearing from you!

"I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this course. I liked that I could work at my own pace and complete sections without feeling like I was going to forget what I learned. The quizzes at the end of each lesson were helpful. One of my favourite things about this course was being able to go through actual session plans as well as having the additional resources/readings available. I found all of the course material easy to understand and very beneficial. I will be recommending this course to colleagues!"

“This is one of the most engaging and informative online courses I have ever done. Even if I was not previously interested in the subject, I would have still very much enjoyed every aspect. The format and organization of the material flows incredibly well, and the material is clear, concise, and not lost in unnecessary filler. I highly recommend it.”

"I think that this training has been the best training in Therapeutic Horticulture that I have done. The course provides you with the necessary foundation to provide your clients with good quality Therapeutic Horticulture sessions. Even if you already have knowledge of horticulture therapy and are a practitioner, the training provides you with relevant information that could enhance your practice. I love the mindful moments because they allow me to take pauses and nurture myself. I found this training fantastic!"

"This course has been exceptional and provides a wide array of information related to the practice of HT. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about and engage with the HT modalities. The information is laid out clearly and provides opportunity for reflection and application of what you are learning."

"If you want an easily digestible AND quality understanding of the practice of therapeutic horticulture and horticultural therapy, this is the course! It was well organized, concise, easy to move through, and rich with information. The information is insightful and will help strengthen your skill sets in this field."

"Clear, concise, with the ability to complete at your own pace, three of my favourite things in an online course! A great intro to TH/HT guided by experienced and knowledgeable instructors. Thank you for this course, I look forward to more of your offerings!"

"I loved the diversity of people included in the videos of this course. It has been my own experience that very little breaks down barriers between people quite as well as horticulture activities."

"Well planned course with excellent facilitation, great examples and resources such as videos, articles, documents and library."

Course Structure

Benefits of Therapeutic Horticulture

Enhancing the Environment

Plants and nature create a calming and relaxing environment that can promote wellness and enhance the overall atmosphere of a therapeutic session.

Reducing Stress

Exposure to plants and nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels, which is beneficial for individuals who are experiencing mental health conditions or chronic illnesses.

Improving Physical Health

Spending time in nature and around plants can promote physical activity and exercise and improve balance and endurance. Therapeutic horticulture activities can be incorporated into therapeutic sessions to promote physical health.

Boosting Mood

Being in nature and around plants can boost mood and help individuals feel more positive and optimistic. This can be especially helpful for individuals who are experiencing depression or other mood disorders.

Promoting Social Connections

Group TH sessions can provide opportunities for social interaction and connection, improved communication skills/development, as well as promote bonding and create a sense of community.

Improved Client Outcomes

TH has been shown to improve a range of outcomes for clients, including mental health, physical health, and overall quality of life, including when integrated by allied health professionals.

Benefits for Course Students

Facilitation-Focused Skills

This course builds practical facilitation skills to establish participant goals, design, and deliver TH activities within the context of intentional session plans in both indoor and outdoor settings. The focus is on aligning and adapting activities to participant needs, abilities, goals, and desired outcomes.

Professional Practice Development

Training in advanced TH facilitation supports professional growth by strengthening applied skills related to session planning, materials sourcing, documentation, and ethical facilitation. Where applicable, this course may also support continuing education (CE) requirements.

Expanded Facilitation Capacity

Through this course, practitioners can expand how they facilitate TH—adapting environments, tools, techniques, and tasks to support diverse participants while confidently managing TH-specific safety considerations across community and clinical settings.

Digital Badge & Certificate

Upon completion, you’ll receive a digital badge and an Advanced Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitation Certificate recognizing advanced, applied training in facilitation practice. These can be shared on resumes, professional profiles, or websites to reflect your continued professional development.

FAQs

Where does this course fit within the Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Pathway?

Advanced TH Facilitation Skills is one of two advanced courses within the Root in Nature Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Pathway. It builds on the foundation established in the Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture course and focuses on the practical, population-specific, hands-on skills needed to effectively facilitate therapeutic horticulture activities and sessions.

Learners may take this course as a standalone advanced certificate or combine it with the Advanced TH Program Development & Management Skills course. Completing both advanced courses leads to the full Advanced Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate.

Is the Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture course required before taking this course?

Yes. The Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture course is a prerequisite for Advanced TH Facilitation Skills. It ensures all learners are equipped with a shared understanding of therapeutic horticulture principles, ethics, populations, and foundational concepts before moving into advanced facilitation practice.

Who is this course designed for?

This course is designed for professionals or anyone hoping to enter or volunteer within the TH field who are ready to strengthen their facilitation skills using plants and nature in therapeutic, health, or community-based contexts. It is well suited for allied health professionals, educators, community practitioners, horticulturists, and therapeutic horticulture or horticultural therapy facilitators who already work with people and want to deepen their ability to design and deliver intentional, goal-aligned TH sessions.

What does cohort-based learning mean in this course?

Cohort-based learning means you’ll move through the course alongside a group of peers during a set timeframe. While much of the content is self-paced, the course also includes two scheduled live, interactive sessions that support discussion, reflection, and applied learning as well as weekly peer/instructor interactions within a cohort-specific online forum

This structure creates opportunities to learn from other practitioners, ask questions in and interact in the GrowTH Network class group, and deepen understanding through shared experiences, while still offering flexibility for independent study.

How much time should I expect to commit each week?

Learners can expect to spend approximately 3–5 hours per week, depending on familiarity with the material and level of engagement with optional readings or discussions. This includes time for watching lesson content, completing assignments, and participating in live sessions and the online class group forum where applicable.

The course is designed to be manageable alongside professional and personal commitments. All course content is available to students 24/7.

What certificate or recognition do I receive upon completion?

Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a digital badge and an Advanced Therapeutic Horticulture Facilitation Certificate, reflecting advanced, applied training in therapeutic horticulture facilitation. This recognition can be shared on professional profiles, resumes, or websites as part of your ongoing professional development.

The course is designed to be manageable alongside professional and personal commitments. All course content is available to students 24/7.

Best Ottawa Business (BOBS) Award Winner

Root in Nature was recognized for Best Performance in Social Entrepreneurship by the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal.

Coralus Venture

Root in Nature is grateful to be selected as one of the Ventures working on the World’s To-Do List by Coralus Activators. We receive interest-free funding, connections and relationships to grow our impact.

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