Dates and locations announced for the 2012 Fundamentals Of Horticultural Therapy classes
Perkins School
for the Blind
Watertown, MA
October 11-14, 2012
Anchor Center
for Blind Children
Denver, Colorado
November 1-4, 2012
Elkus Ranch
Half Moon Bay, California
November 15-18, 2012
More about Fundamentals of Horticultural Therapy
Learn how to combine a passion for gardening and helping people through the innovative field of horticultural therapy. Join students from across the country to learn more by enrolling in the first class in the certificate program, Fundamentals of Horticultural Therapy this fall in one of three locations. To complete a full certificate in HT plan to attend three additional classes. Each will be offered in Colorado and California in 2013.
HTI Director, Rebecca Haller
Linking People and Plants
"I can't imagine life without a garden-a place in which I can interact closely with nature and have a personal connection with plants," Rebecca Haller, HTM, explained when asked what horticultural therapists need to understand about the role of the plant in an HT relationship. As the director of the Horticultural Therapy Institute in Denver, Colorado, Haller explained that in her own life, plants and the garden itself have been a powerful source for solace, joy, excitement and interest.
"The garden has always been a place where I could effortlessly reflect while spending time tending my garden," she said. "Yet, the horticultural therapist must take that one step further in order to motivate someone she is working with to garden instead of watching TV, for example. Or to engage a young child who is blind to explore his senses when that stimulation may be frightening."
That personal nature connection is what the HT employs to encourage a client to improve his or her life. "The lessons and development of the plant and garden can be insidious. Positive personal changes can occur for HT program participants, with or without a conscience awareness of these effects. In my opinion, you (the therapist) need to have that personal relationship with the plants. In addition to therapy skills, you need that plant connection to be successful in horticultural therapy," she said.
Rebecca Haller has practiced and taught horticultural therapy since 1978. She established a vocational horticultural therapy program in Glenwood Springs, Colorado for adults with developmental disabilities. The program is still thriving after over 30 years in operation. In addition, she developed and taught a horticultural therapy certificate program at the Denver Botanic Gardens and has served as president and board member of the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA). She has been the director and lead instructor of the HT Institute since 2002.
