Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture Course

Course Summary

Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture is a self-paced online course designed for professionals and aspiring practitioners who want to bring the benefits of nature into health, education, or community work.

Whether you’re a recreational therapist, activity director, educator, mental health professional, or simply curious about the healing power of plants, this course provides a clear and supportive entry point. You’ll learn what therapeutic horticulture is, why it works, and how it’s applied across different settings, with no prior experience or green thumb required.

Through engaging lessons, you’ll explore the theoretical foundations, ethical guidelines, and professional values that support safe and inclusive practice. You’ll also be introduced to client populations, program settings, facilitation strategies, and basic horticultural knowledge, including how to adapt tools and techniques for diverse needs.

Emilee Weaver, Director of Learning & Community Engagement

Emilee Weaver, Director of Learning & Community Engagement

Get a glimpse inside the course with this 15-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. You will also receive a detailed course outline with your download.

Course Description

Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture is a foundational, self-paced online course designed for professionals and aspiring practitioners who want to enter the field of therapeutic horticulture or integrate nature-based approaches into their existing profession or practice. Whether you’re a recreational therapist, activity director, educator, mental health professional, or simply curious about the healing power of plants, this course offers a clear, supportive starting point. You’ll learn what therapeutic horticulture is, why it works, and how it’s applied across a variety of settings, with no prior experience or green thumb required.

Through engaging, easy-to-follow lessons taught by Emilee Weaver and Katie McGillivray HTR, you’ll explore the theoretical and evidence-based foundations of TH, ethical guidelines, and professional values that shape safe and inclusive practice. You’ll also get an introduction to client populations and program settings, hands-on activity facilitation strategies, basic horticultural knowledge, and how to adapt tools and techniques for diverse physical, emotional, and cognitive needs. Rooted in both research and real-life application, this course is your first step toward creating meaningful, nature-connected experiences that support growth, healing, and joy.

This course also serves as the prerequisite for Root in Nature’s advanced therapeutic horticulture training. It gives you more than just theoretical knowledge – it helps you build a working understanding of the field so you can confidently determine where (and if) you see yourself within it. You’ll gain clarity on your role, your interests, and your next steps, whether that’s deepening your practice, pursuing certification, or launching a new program.

By the end, you’ll know not only what therapeutic horticulture is, but also how to move forward with purpose.

What's Included

Registration fee includes:

Seven video-based lessons (69 topics) with resources
Guest speaker videos
Program and participant case studies
Five quizzes
Lifetime access to the course
Certificate of completion
Digital badge
Eligibility for CE credits (NCTRC, APNCC, TRO, and CHTA points)
Bonus: Six 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
- This offer is available to non-members only. Current GrowTH Network Members receive a 20% course discount with their membership.

Course Fee & Manual

Course Fee: $325 USD
Course Manual (optional): $25 USD

The 120 page 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
Provide a quick refresher on foundational knowledge as you move into more advanced or practice-based training
Provide a glossary of 130+ TH Terms

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

Time Commitment

The course takes approximately 10–12 hours to complete. This includes eight hours of video lessons and an additional 2–4 hours for quizzes and engaging with the resource materials.

While you’re free to set your own schedule (there’s no deadline or expiration), we recommend completing the course within 4–6 weeks to stay engaged and build momentum in your learning.

You will not be required to attend any live calls during this course – all content is pre-recorded and self-paced.

Continuing Education Credits

Pre-approved by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification – NCTRC for 12 hours
Pre-approved by the Activity Professionals National Credentialing Center – APNCC for 12 hours
Approved by Therapeutic Recreation Ontario – TRO for 8 hours of PCCs (application for 12)
Approved by the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association – CHTA for .03 points toward registration
Accepted by Master Gardener programs – meets the criteria for continuing education in many U.S. and Canadian programs

How it Works

After you purchase, simply sign in to your account at the top right corner of the website and you’ll find the course and manual (if purchased) under Courses → My Courses.

You’ll have lifetime access, so you can move through the lessons at your own pace and revisit them anytime.

We love hearing from you!

Meet Your Instructors

Emilee Weaver

Emilee (she/her) credits the lush, fern and moss-filled forests of New Hampshire, and her grandmother’s influence, for nurturing her love of nature and her ability to form meaningful connections with plants. This lifelong passion has guided her through more than 25 years in professional horticulture, a degree in social work, and a horticultural therapy certificate from the Horticultural Therapy Institute.

Her deep passion for accompanying people on their healing and learning journeys led Emilee to spend the past 15+ years building TH and HT programs and educational programs that span diverse clinical and community settings and students. She was the lead content creator and instructor for the online and hybrid TH certificate programs co-created by two prominent universities and is proud to have co-authored one of the first comprehensive HT textbooks in the field, The Profession and Practice of Horticultural Therapy, published in 2019.

Emilee has worked with a wide range of populations and has centered her work primarily around the intersections of TH/HT and mental health. She has developed therapeutic and vocational programs in a range of inpatient psychiatric settings, botanical gardens, farms, elder care communities, and most recently pioneered a partnership with Ukrainian and Armenian botanical gardens and clinicians seeking TH training to assist citizens experiencing the trauma of war.

In her free time, you’ll find her tending and chatting with her gardens, chasing after her tortoises, preventing her cats from taking over the world, and spending time with friends and family whose support has inspired and guided her journey.

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.

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, Perley Health
Founding Advisor, Root in Nature

Lynn Leach HTR

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

Barb Szymanski

Community Developer, Ottawa Salus

Course Outline

Lesson 1: Course Introduction
Get oriented to the course, meet your instructors, and learn more about how the course manual can assist your learning journey.

Lesson 2: Historical and Theoretical Foundations of TH
Explore the roots of therapeutic horticulture: what it is, where it originated, and the research and theories that inform and support its effectiveness. Learn how universal design principles and therapeutic gardens shape practice, consider ethical dimensions, and explore real-world examples of programs in action.

Lesson 3: Fundamentals of TH
Discover the populations, activity types, and settings where therapeutic horticulture is practiced. Examine the core domains of wellness it supports, compare program models, consider the roles of facilitators, and hear stories from participants themselves.

Lesson 4: TH Program Development
Build an understanding of how programs are designed and sustained, from community engagement and goal-setting to documentation, scheduling, income and employment models. Includes practical case studies.

Lesson 5: TH Activity Facilitation
Learn best practices for planning and leading sessions, safety considerations, and using nature metaphors. Uncover the power of adaptive tools, techniques and developing intentional goal-driven therapeutic environments.

Lesson 6: Horticulture Foundations & Concepts
Gain foundational plant knowledge, from soil and seeds to plant care, safety, and plant toxicity. Learn how sensory and culturally significant plants can be incorporated into practice, and how adaptive approaches make horticulture accessible for all.

Lesson 7: Course Conclusion
Reflect on your learning, consider your next steps, and celebrate your completion of the course.

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. 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 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.

Expanded Therapeutic Options

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

Digital Badge & Certificate

You will receive a digital badge as well as a certificate as a Therapeutic Horticulture Ally upon course completion.

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.

FAQs

Are more courses offered on this topic if I want to continue my learning?

Yes – we offer an Advancing Skills in Therapeutic Horticulture course available here. We are developing a suite of advanced course offerings that will launch in 2026. Sign up for the Root Beat newsletter or follow us on social media for launch dates.

Is there group pricing?

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

Does this course certify me to become a horticultural therapist?

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 Facilitator – CTHF™.

Do you offer 'turnover protection' for companies?

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.

Benefits for Clients

Benefits for Clients

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

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. Recreation therapists can incorporate therapeutic horticulture activities into their 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.

Benefits for Practitioners

Benefits for Practitioners

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

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.
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.
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.
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.

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.