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Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture Course

Course Summary

Root in Nature’s virtual, self-paced Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture course provides an overview of the principles and practices of horticultural therapy, including the physical, social and psychological benefits of working with plants.

It teaches how to facilitate, adapt and evaluate therapeutic horticulture sessions while providing foundational horticulture and safety training. Learning from Katie McGillivray, HTR and joined by guest speaker experts in the field, students will finish this course with the skills to facilitate activities with individual clients and small groups.

This course provides an excellent foundation for those interested in enhancing their skill set, adding a therapy option or pursuing a career in the field. It can be completed in 4 – 8 hours and graduates will obtain a certificate and digital badge as a Therapeutic Horticulture Ally.

We partner with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification® (NCTRC®) to offer digital badges for NCTRC-approved micro-credentials. These secure, web-enabled credentials showcase verified achievements and reflect NCTRC pre-approved continuing education content aligned with NCTRC Standards and the Job Analysis. Open to professionals across various fields, these badges highlight your commitment to excellence and professional growth.

*Content is CE pre-approved by NCTRC for 8 hours as well as approved for PCC’s with TRO. This course is Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association (CHTA) approved and worth .03 points towards registration.

Course Fee

$229 USD 
$179 USD for students and HT/TH volunteers

What’s included:

  • Format:
    • Video Lessons
    • Course Outline Below
  • Learning Tools:
    • Course Manual
    • Interactive Quizzes
  • Recognition & Certification:
    • Course Certificate as a Therapeutic Horticulture Ally
    • Digital Badge Opportunity with NCTRC
  • Professional Development:
    • Earn CE Credits
  • Limited-time bonus: 6 months FREE access to the GrowTH Network – includes expert support, a sortable activity database, and live member events (valid through May 31)

*Content is CE pre-approved by NCTRC for 8 hours as well as approved for PCC’s with TRO. This course is Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association (CHTA) approved and worth .03 points towards registration.

Register Here

Join our Founder & CEO, Alexis, for a 20-minute Information Session to learn about therapeutic horticulture and gain insights into our Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture Course.

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We love hearing from you!

"I absolutely loved the Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture course! The format was engaging, the information was incredibly insightful, and the GrowTH network offers outstanding resources. Katie and Alexis were so welcoming and helpful, creating a supportive and enriching experience. What stood out most for me were the mindful moments incorporated into the course—they were truly transformative. Highly recommend this to anyone interested in the field!"
Carmen ViljoenSocial Entrepreneur and Owner, UKwandaGro
"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."
Chelsea KorzenkoTherapeutic Horticulture Practitioner
“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.”
Course Survey FeedbackCertified Peer Supporter
"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."
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
"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!"
Jade C.Recreataional Therapist
"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!"
Alejandra Vera VillamizarSocial Worker and Horticultural Therapy Practitioner
"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!"
Course ParticipantSurvey Feedback
"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."
Sarah BurchellVocational Instructor for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, The Ark
"Beautiful course that inspired and encouraged me to dig deeper and expand my horticulture therapy practice."
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
"Well planned course with excellent facilitation, great examples and resources such as videos, articles, documents and library."
Jenny McspaddenGerontologist / Activation therapist
For more testimonials visit our Course Testimonials page!

Meet Your Instructor

Katie McGillivray, HTR

Katie (she/her) is a Registered Horticultural Therapist (HTR) and a member of the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association. A strong advocate of asset-based community development and reflective practice, Katie has been supporting therapeutic horticulture projects and programs for a wide variety of populations since 2014.

Katie completed her horticultural therapy certificate with Ann Kent and was proud to “build her own degree” in therapeutic horticulture, completing a minor in counselling and majoring in general studies, focusing on courses in horticulture, agriculture, psychology and research. Katie is passionate about increasing access to therapeutic horticulture in communities and facilitates regular in-person and virtual sessions. Her approach is collaborative, client-centred and strengths-based.

Katie is also a major foodie and her work in therapeutic horticulture often intersects with community food security and food justice work. When not in the garden, Katie loves cooking, entertaining and paddle boarding.

Register Here

Guest Speakers

Myriah Graham

Artist, Indigenous Healer

Chadwick Lewis

Owner & General Manager, Urban Fresh Produce

Matthew Johnson

Owner & Operator, Three Rabbit Farms

Sarah Shapiro HTR

Horticultural Therapist Lead, Root in Nature

Lynn Leach HTR

Horticultural Therapist & Landscape Designer, Bird’s Foot Design Studio

Barb Szymanski

Community Developer, Ottawa Salus

Register here

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction

  • Importance of knowing and acknowledging the land you are working on and its native plants

Module 2: Horticulture 101

  • Plant safety & best practices
  • Compost and soils
  • Tools overview & safety
  • Seed starting & its benefits
  • Sensory plants

Module 3: Introduction to Horticultural Therapy (HT) and Therapeutic Horticulture (TH)

  • Explaining acronyms
  • HT versus TH
  • Brief history of HT
  • Titles in HT/TH
  • Elements of HT
  • Domains of wellness
  • Examples of HT/TH

Module 4: Practice of HT/TH

  • Setting goals and objectives
  • Planning process
  • Year-round programming in TH
  • Seeking donations
  • Intro to adaptations
  • Safety
  • Therapeutic landscape design 
  • Reporting and impact measurement

Module 5: Activity Facilitation

  • Best practices for activity facilitation
  • Activity, environment and use of self
  • Building session plans (activity versus session versus program) 
  • Overview of Root in Nature’s GrowTH Network, including the extensive Activity Database

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 therapy 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. Therapeutic horticulture activities can be incorporated into therapy 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 therapeutic horticulture sessions can provide opportunities for social interaction and connection, as well as promote bonding and create a sense of community.

Improved Client Outcomes

Therapeutic horticulture has been shown to improve a range of outcomes for clients, including mental health, physical health, and overall quality of life. Practitioners can learn how to effectively use horticulture to improve their clients’ outcomes.

Benefits for Course Students

Specialized Knowledge

The Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture course provides specialized knowledge and skills related to using plants, gardening, and nature as therapeutic tools, which helps practitioners incorporate this into therapy sessions.

Professional Development

Training in therapeutic horticulture can be a valuable form of professional development for practitioners which enhances their skills and knowledge, making them more effective in their role as a therapist.

Expanded Therapy Options

Through this course, practitioners can expand the range of therapy options they can offer their clients and can provide clients with unique and effective therapeutic experiences.

Digital Badge & Certificate

You will receive a digital badge pictured below and a certificate as a Therapeutic Horticulture Ally upon course completion.

FAQs

Yes – we offer an Advancing Skills in Therapeutic Horticulture course available here. Upon meeting the outlined criteria, this course culminates in the awarding of the title Certified Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner – CTHP™.

Yes, this session content is CE pre-approved by NCTRC for 8 hours and approved for PCC’s with TRO

Yes! Please visit our For Organizations or For Educators pages for corporate group rates, or contact us at courses@rootinnature.ca.

When you complete the course you will receive a certificate and will be able to describe yourself as a Therapeutic Horticulture Ally. This course does not certify you to become a horticultural therapist or horticultural therapy practitioner. We offer an Advancing Skills in Therapeutic Horticulture course available here. Upon meeting the outlined criteria, this course culminates in the awarding of the title Certified Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner – CTHP™.

Yes, Root in Nature is committed to enabling accessibility to its courses and community to all who share our passion for connecting people with plants and nature. We provide up to five reduced rate, 50% discount spots in our course each quarter to individuals whose financial circumstances are a barrier to enrolment. 

If you would like to access one of these spots, please fill in this form. You will be contacted by the end of each quarter with the results of your application (end of March, June, September and December).

Yes! Both the course and the community have significantly reduced rates for students and HT/ TH program volunteers.

Pricing can be seen on the registration pages.

We were hoping to have a Canadian price and an US price. However, our software (MemberPress) is only able to process one currency. Since the course is offered internationally, and the US dollar is widely recognized worldwide, we chose that currency and set the price at the US dollar equivalent of our intended Canadian price.

Yes – if you train a member of your team who leaves within one year of completing the course, we will offer the course to their replacement free of charge.

Join the Community

GrowTH – Grow Therapeutic Horticulture is a supportive online international community of horticultural therapists, practitioners, and other professionals delivering plant and nature-rooted sessions.
Learn more
1 Benefits for Clients
2 Benefits for Practitioners
Benefits for Clients

Benefits for Clients

Practitioners can benefit from using plants and nature in their therapeutic approach in several ways:

  1. Enhancing the environment: Plants and nature create a calming and relaxing environment that can promote wellness and enhance the overall atmosphere of a therapy session. 
  2. 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.
  3. Improving physical health: Spending time in nature and around plants can promote physical activity and exercise. Recreation therapists can incorporate therapeutic horticulture activities into their therapy sessions to promote physical health.
  4. 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.
  5. Promoting social connections: Group therapeutic horticulture sessions can provide opportunities for social interaction and connection, as well as promote bonding and create a sense of community.
Benefits for Practitioners

Benefits for Practitioners

Practitioners such as recreation therapists may benefit from taking therapeutic horticulture training for several reasons: 

  1. Specialized knowledge: Root in Nature’s training program provides specialized knowledge and skills related to using plants, gardening, and nature as therapeutic tools. This can help recreation therapists better understand the therapeutic benefits of horticulture and how to effectively incorporate it into their therapy sessions.

  2. Professional development: Training in therapeutic horticulture can be a valuable form of professional development for practitioners. It can enhance their skills and knowledge, making them more effective in their role as a therapist.

  3. Expanded therapy options: With therapeutic horticulture training, recreation therapists can expand the range of therapy options they can offer their clients. Incorporating plants and nature into their sessions can provide clients with unique and effective therapeutic experiences.

  4. Improved client outcomes: Horticultural therapy has been shown to be effective in improving a range of outcomes for clients, including mental health, physical health, and overall quality of life. By taking Root in Nature’s training, recreation therapists can learn how to effectively use horticulture to improve their clients' outcomes.
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. 

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May Giveaway

Sign up for the Intro to Therapeutic Horticulture course and get 6 months FREE in the GrowTH Network

 

You will receive:

 

  • Expert Support
  • A Sortable Activity Database
  • Live Member Events
  • Curated Resource Library

 

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