Education:
For Students

Interested in studying HT/TH?

The Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association (CHTA) is committed to promoting evidence-based, relevant, and effective Horticultural Therapy education. There are a range of educational programs being offered in Canada, as well as internationally, that touch on topics related to Horticultural Therapy (HT), Therapeutic Horticulture (TH), and meaningful people/plant interactions.

At present, there are limited HT-specific educational opportunities across Canada. We acknowledge this gap and look forward to working with educators, practitioners, and students to expand both education and practical experience in the years ahead.

FAQ

reading a book with plants being repotted on the table

Start your journey

The CHTA Horticultural Therapy Core Skills and Knowledge checklist summarizes the scope of topics recommended for curricula of courses and workshops that focus on HT/TH.

As a student, take note of which points are covered when you participate in any HT/TH related educational programs so you can track your learning.

If you are interested in studying HT/TH or learning more about horticultural therapy as a profession, these recommendations below may help you build your pathway towards a professional HTT/HTR designation:

Review our CHTA FAQs page
Review the Skills and Knowledge checklist
Assess your pathway forward using the tips below
Review current CHTA Approved Horticultural Therapy Education Opportunities (listed below)
Contact [email protected]

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE CHECKLIST

Assessing Your Pathway Forward

Students often reach out to ask how many points they currently have in relation to the CHTA Education Guidelines.

Before contacting us, we encourage you to review the Guidelines carefully and do your best to calculate your points based on the following tips:

HT “contact hours”: Any live-taught (virtual or in-person) HT/TH course counts as contact hours under the Guidelines.
Courses that have not been formally reviewed through the CHTA ‘points confirmation process’ may still count toward HT-specific education. In many cases, they simply haven’t been submitted for review, or they may be offered outside of Canada. You are welcome to include these in your self-assessment when reviewing your pathway forward.
Pre-recorded learning: Courses or sessions that are pre-recorded (even if HT/TH-specific) do not count as contact hours. Instead, they fall under category C-2.
Related education: Other coursework that supports your passions and vision for your HT practice can count toward your points! This is well-worth pursuing in your journey. These will typically fall in the category of “Related and Supportive Adult Education Courses.”

One of the strengths of our field is the diverse personal, educational, and professional backgrounds that people bring to horticultural therapy. You may feel inclined toward a certain population, setting, or therapeutic domain. If so, seek additional learning in that realm! This will absolutely enrich your practice and add to your unique, well-rounded perspective as an HTR.

REVIEW GUIDELINES

Current CHTA Reviewed Horticultural Therapy Education Opportunities

Gaining points in HT/TH Education

A student in HT/TH could choose to pursue an HT Certificate, but this is not the only route toward the required minimum of 2 points in HT-specific education. Another strong option is to build your HT points and foundation by combining courses from multiple HTRs and educators. This approach exposes you to a variety of perspectives and teaching styles, which can strengthen your skills and deepen your learning. This route is just as strong and encouraged as applying for an HT Certificate.

CHTA HORTICULTURAL THERAPY CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Offering a comprehensive review of Horticultural Therapy and an introduction to the Core Skills and Knowledge

Ann Kent, HTM Catkin Gardens

Horticultural Therapy Certificate

Explore the fields of horticultural therapy (HT), therapeutic horticulture (TH), and nature-based therapy in an exciting inter-disciplinary program.

In Person Courses

The four courses in this HT Certificate program are land-based and focus on experiential learning, with on-site instruction taking place in a garden and forest setting on Vancouver Island, BC.

Course Website

Mitchell Hewson, HTM

Horticulture As Therapy

Mitchell Hewson is a pioneer with extensive clinical and horticultural knowledge who will guide you through this training using nature and the humanities to develop your skills as a therapist and horticulturalist.

Mitchell Hewson has officially retired. Please note, new student registrations are closed as of Dec 2025.

Additional Horticultural Therapy Courses

*That have undergone the CHTA Points Confirmation Process

Bird’s Foot Horticultural Therapy Education series

Lynn Leach, HTR

This five-module education series includes 160 hours of immersive study along with authentic experiential learning that focuses on the core skills and knowledge recommended for professional registration with the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association (CHTA).

Contact hours: 130

Course Description

A Daily Nature Practice: Restorative Self-Care for Healthcare Professionals

Shelagh Smith, HTR

This experiential online program is a 7-module interactive guide to savouring nearby nature for personal and professional self-care.

Please note there is a waitlist on this class.

Course Description

Exploring Professional Identity in Horticultural Therapy

Katie McGillivray, HTR

This 8 hour virtual course invites students to explore their individual and collective professional identities within horticultural therapy (HT). It challenges students to move beyond job titles and the many “hats” they wear, reflecting on not only who they are as professionals in HT, but also on the identity of the profession itself. Students will gain practical strategies to anchor their work, communicate their value with confidence, and envision their own professional path as well as the evolving trajectory of HT. The course emphasizes ethics, reflective practice and the development of self-awareness, helping students consider how their unique values and approach inform their work.

Contact Hours: 8

Course Description

Growing Your Practice: Marketing and Contracting in HT

Bianca van der Stoel, HTR

This course equips horticultural therapy professionals with the skills to market themselves, build connections, and secure meaningful opportunities. You’ll learn to grow your practice with confidence, design your ideal work scenario, and create marketing tools like email scripts, social media templates, and brochures. Gain insights on setting wages, drafting contracts, securing grants, and building partnerships— all while collaborating with a supportive cohort.

Contact Hours: 10

Course Description

Part I: Core Foundations in HT

Bianca van der Stoel, HTR

Core Foundations in Horticultural Therapy is a 24-hour, 4-class intensive series focused on building foundational practitioner skills in assessment, goal setting, and program planning for HT/ TH practice. Participants will learn to design structured, evidence-informed therapeutic interventions grounded in person-centered and culturally responsive practice.

Contact Hours: 24

Course Description

Part II: Advanced Practice in Horticultural Therapy

Bianca van der Stoel, HTR

Advanced Practice in HT is a a 24-hour, 4 day intensive course that deepens therapist reasoning, facilitation expertise, professional integration, and interdisciplinary collaboration.Participants will dig deeper into horticultural techniques, documentation practices, evaluation strategies, ethical decision-making, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Emphasis is placed on clinical confidence and long-term professional sustainability. Completion of Part I: Core Foundations in Horticultural Therapy is a prerequisite to this course, or significantly demonstrated equivalent training and experience in assessment, goal writing, and program planning.

Contact Hours: 24

Course Description

Peer Reflection in Horticultural Therapy

Katie McGillivray, HTR

The purpose of this course is to introduce theories, models and benefits of peer reflection and consultation within the field of horticultural therapy (HT) and therapeutic horticulture (TH).

Please note there is a waitlist on this class.

Course Description

Become a CHTA Member

Grow Your Understanding of HT/TH

The final suggestion for students is to consider becoming a member of the CHTA. This is an incredible way to grow in your understanding of HT/TH, and to get to know other professionals and how they are practicing. Membership information and costs can be found at www.chta.ca/membership. Additional CHTA Membership benefits are to connect with a network of like-minded professionals, free access to zoom networking gatherings, a members only section on our website with resources, and additional bonuses at many of our webinars and events.

JOIN NOW

Education: For Students

Interested in studying HT/TH?

Start your journey

Assessing Your Pathway Forward

Current CHTA Reviewed Horticultural Therapy Education Opportunities

Gaining points in HT/TH Education

Ann Kent, HTM Catkin Gardens

Mitchell Hewson, HTM

Mitchell Hewson has officially retired. Please note, new student registrations are closed as of Dec 2025.

Additional Horticultural Therapy Courses

*That have undergone the CHTA Points Confirmation Process

Bird’s Foot Horticultural Therapy Education series

A Daily Nature Practice: Restorative Self-Care for Healthcare Professionals

Exploring Professional Identity in Horticultural Therapy

Growing Your Practice: Marketing and Contracting in HT

Part I: Core Foundations in HT

Part II: Advanced Practice in Horticultural Therapy

Peer Reflection in Horticultural Therapy

Become a CHTA Member

Grow Your Understanding of HT/TH

Education:
For Students