Course Structure
Therapeutic Environments & Program Foundations
Learn how TH environments and participants are intentionally assessed and designed to support participant and program goals. Discover different garden types, raised bed options, plant sourcing strategies, safety considerations, and operational components, including volunteer management.
Outdoor Plant Maintenance Skills & Gardening Tools
Develop the outdoor horticultural skills needed to confidently facilitate therapeutic horticulture programming. Learn seasonal plant care, watering practices, raised bed considerations, and safe use of gardening tools that support meaningful participant engagement.
Indoor Plant Maintenance Skills & Propagation
Develop practical skills for maintaining and propagating indoor plants. Learn how to select, transplant, and propagate plants from seed and plugs, with expert insight into advanced indoor plant care.
Program Planning & Activity Development
Learn how to design TH activities and programs from concept to implementation. Explore session planning, scheduling, budgeting, supply sourcing, and strategies for creating engaging, goal-driven programming that can be sustained over time.
TH Facilitation & Program Delivery
Strengthen practical facilitation skills needed to lead TH sessions with intention and adaptability. Learn strategies for safety, group dynamics, adaptive techniques, sensory engagement, virtual TH delivery, reflective practice, and documentation approaches that support clear outcome tracking and professional program delivery.
Population-Specific Facilitation Considerations
Explore facilitation strategies that address needs specific to various populations and contexts. Learn to adapt activities and environments based on age, physical, cognitive, sensory, cultural, and identity-related factors, including considerations for integrating TH into allied health practices.
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.