Online Courses
All Root in Nature courses are virtual and open to students internationally. Click ‘learn more’ for more information and registration. If a course is currently under development, we maintain a waitlist and will notify you when it becomes available.
Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture Course
Root in Nature’s virtual, self-paced Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture course teaches how to integrate plants, gardening and nature into your therapeutic approach.
Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture for Children & Youth
Tailored for professionals working with children and youth, this self-paced course offers population-specific insights, best practices, and adaptations for integrating plants, gardening, and nature into your work.
It is designed to empower educators, therapists and other youth leaders with specific techniques and tools for enhancing the well-being of children and youth through therapeutic horticulture.
Advancing Skills in Therapeutic Horticulture
This course follows on the Intro course and is for those who want to deepen their understanding and enhance their skill set in therapeutic horticulture.
Taught by Katie McGillivray, HTR along with guest speaker experts in the field, this course includes both self-paced and virtual live elements. Students will complete the course in their chosen one-month period.Â
Graduates who meet all requirements will be eligible for certification as a Certified Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner – CTHP™.
Nature at Work
This course explores how elements of nature – from biophilic design to the simple presence of plants or natural light – can significantly enhance mental, physical and emotional health.
Taught by Dr. Owen Wiseman and Alexis Ashworth, this course highlights nature’s role in boosting productivity, sparking creativity and fostering innovation.
Whether you’re an individual aiming to harness the healing power of nature or a team leader aspiring to cultivate a healthier, more collaborative environment for your team, this course offers valuable insights.
A Journey into Reflective Practice for Professionals
This course is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their skills, self-awareness and well-being through reflective practice. It will explore the concepts of self-reflection, peer reflection and reflection with clients.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of reflective practice and learn how to create opportunities for reflection with peers and clients. They will acquire a diverse set of techniques, tools and exercises that can be directly applied in their professional work.
Join the waitlist to be notified when registration is open.Â
Eco-Resilience and Emotional Coping in a Changing Planet
This course is designed for health professionals and therapeutic horticulture practitioners seeking to support their clients in navigating the emotional challenges of environmental change. It equips practitioners with practical tools and strategies to address complex emotions such as eco-anxiety, grief, despair, and hope, while fostering resilience and promoting meaningful action.
Through nature-based activities and therapeutic interventions, participants will learn how to help their clients build emotional literacy and develop adaptive coping mechanisms.
Participants will explore topics like the “Hope Gap,” eco-resilience, and the power of collective action, with a focus on empowering individuals to turn their concerns about the climate into tangible, positive change.
Whether working one-on-one with clients or in group settings, this course provides a framework for cultivating hope, resilience, and agency in the face of environmental challenges.
Gardening for Wellness: A Virtual Therapeutic Horticulture Experience
This virtual therapeutic horticulture journey is guided by Katie McGillivray, Registered Horticultural Therapist, and Kristin Topping, Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner.
Designed to foster both personal well-being and a deeper connection to nature, this five-part experience covers Seed Starting, Gardening with Kitchen Scraps, Indoor Plants, Gardening Techniques, and Colour in the Garden.
Each session includes mindfulness activities, educational insights, reflective prompts, and interactive exercises, creating a comprehensive and engaging experience for participants.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or new to the practice, this self-paced journey invites you to explore the benefits of therapeutic horticulture while enhancing your gardening skills and nurturing a deeper relationship with nature.
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 in 2022.
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.