Program Manager, HT Institute
2025 Summer Newsletter
Horticultural Therapy is making an impact on people’s lives.
Read more about how it’s happening.
HTI Director’s Note: Learning Opportunities from new HT Textbook
By Rebecca Haller, HTM
Hi readers.
From the new textbook
There are many learning opportunities in Horticultural Therapy Methods: Connecting People and Plants in Health Care, Human Services, and Therapeutic Programs Third Edition – just released in April this year. From that textbook let’s focus on the subject of ‘objectives’ for this article.
‘Chapter 2, Goals and Treatment Planning: The Process,’ includes a description of the components of a well-written treatment objective and Appendix I shows several examples from a variety of program types. An important part of a treatment plan, well-written objectives are incremental and achievable steps toward the client’s long-range goal. They must be written with enough clarity and detail so that what is expected and aimed for is easily understood. They include observable desired behaviors, conditions in which they are expected to occur, and criterion for measuring achievement. Desired behaviors are clear and objective, conditions provide context and often describe assists or supports from the therapist, criterion provides the treatment team and client a way to measure the behaviors.
Let’s look at the first objective in Appendix I. It is listed in the book in the category of vocational training or rehabilitation programs. Yet a similar objective may occur in any horticultural therapy program approach and could be applied as a step to varied goals, from employment to concentration, etc. The objective is stated as:
“Follow three-step directions in four out of five trials without visual or verbal cues for three consecutive sessions.”
The components of the objective are:
- Desired behavior – follow three-step directions
- Conditions – without visual or verbal cues
- Criterion – four out of five trials for three consecutive sessions.
Note that criterion is chosen based on knowledge of the person’s current functioning and informed expectations for what could be considered accomplishment for them as well as what is reasonable and achievable.
Be sure to include criterion in your written plans. It is so essential for informing the client (and the team) about when to celebrate success. Even if it is not required where you work, that one important step will be very effective for positive client outcomes.
Happy Learning, Rebecca
Certificate Program Enrolling Now!
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 Fundamentals of Horticultural Therapy this fall at Anchor Center for Blind Children, Denver, CO. Oct. 15-18, 2025. Two additional classes will be offered online. At the non-profit Horticultural Therapy Institute, our mission is to provide education and training in horticultural therapy to those new to, or experienced with, the practice of using gardening and plants to improve the lives of others. The remaining three classes in the HT Certificate program in 2026 will be held in Colorado, North Carolina and Maine as well as online.
Leader in HT Education
The HT Institute has provided education in the field for over 20 years and is a leader in HT education. The director, Rebecca Haller, HTM is also one of the authors and editors of both major textbooks in horticultural therapy. The format of classes meets student’s unique learning style and are offered both face-to-face and online (synchronous). To begin the certificate program, enroll in one of the following sections of the Fundamentals of HT class. The Fundamentals of HT class cost is $950 or $760 for full-time college students. www.htinstitute.org or call 303-388-0500. Enroll today
Fundamentals of HT section I: Oct. 15-18, 2025 (Denver, CO)
Fundamentals of HT section II: Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2025 (online, mountain standard time) Fundamentals of HT section III: Nov. 12-15, 2025 (online, mountain standard time)
Program Profile:
HT as an Adjunct Role in Addiction Recovery
By Carolyn Brown, HTR
The Ukiah Recovery Center (URC) is a residential, abstinence-based treatment program for those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction located in Ukiah, CA. One of the tools that the Ukiah Recovery Center provides is an integrated Horticultural Therapy Program in which all clients participate in a variety of individually appropriate garden-based activities that are led by a Registered Horticultural Therapist. The garden offers inspiration for personal reflection and growth. And the act of gardening provides opportunities for being present in the moment and practicing mindfulness.
URC is under the umbrella of the Ford Street Project, a non-profit organization based on the vision that addiction and personal hardship can be overcome with commitment and support. Ford Street Project offers a variety of services that are dedicated to assisting the addicted and homeless of Mendocino County to attain sobriety and improve self-sufficiency. “Ford Street Project strives to fulfill its mission by providing community services through many programs, including the Community Food Bank, Family Emergency Shelter, Low Income Housing, and Substance Abuse Treatment.” (1)
Gardens and Housing at URC
Successful addiction recovery is dependent on months of sobriety and therapy. URC offers 30-, 60- and 90-day residential care. “Our goal is to empower the clients we serve by providing them with the skills to see their own potential through daily classes and individualized sessions. We strive to help our clients create the life they want to have, using compassion and attention to the individual’s specific needs while celebrating their diversity and differences. A Counselor will work with clients to create an individualized program to address the specific needs and barriers that have kept clients from repeating unhealthy patterns.” (2) Addiction can be a very difficult disease to cure. Current SAMHSA research estimates that 72.2% of people who perceived that they ever had a substance abuse problem consider themselves to be in recovery or recovered. (3) However, treatment outcomes for those living in compromised circumstances or suffering from mental health issues as well as addiction has a significantly lower, long term success rate. People need a wide variety of tools to navigate their wellness journey.
Creating a Horticultural Therapy Program
I completed my coursework with HTI in 2012 and have been gardening with clients at the Ukiah Recovery Center since 2014. I began my HT internship in 2023 and created a Horticultural Therapy program as my long-term project. The HT program includes a weekly group session for all clients and small group sessions for those interested in having HT as part of their treatment plan. The whole group sessions involve a 45-minute classroom session in which we learn a new meditation technique followed by a 10-minute guided meditation using Headspace videos, and a presentation of a sensory or mindfulness-based activity such as practicing gratitude to nature. After a short break clients engage in 60 minutes of garden-based activities in our vegetable, flower, fruit and herb gardens. I offer a variety of activities that the clients can choose from that meet their physical and interest levels. At the beginning of each session, I ask the clients to write down two or three of their wellness goals during recovery and to think of one small thing towards a goal that they could work on during the gardening session. At the end of the session, I have them reflect on their progress. The average group size is 25 people. Having so many people working on various projects spread out over a large area can be challenging. I rely on certain individuals who are engaged and who know what to do to carry the newcomers and those less interested along. I circulate between groups to check on progress and redirect when necessary.
Small Group Sessions
My small group sessions started out as 45-minute individual sessions in the garden but grew to groups of three to seven people to accommodate interested clients. The challenges with these additional sessions were finding good times to fit them into the schedule. I did not want to pull them from classes and found the best time to be during the daily morning group check in. We start with a very short grounding exercise such as a walk through the garden and then work together on a specific task or project ending with a quick check in.
I also offer classes in nutrition basics, food safety, organic gardening and food preservation. These classes last two hours and are held one afternoon a week for three weeks. We have a topic specific class followed by making dinner for the group using seasonal produce and healthy recipes. In conclusion, horticultural therapy is a complimentary modality that helps support the overall treatment goals of URC including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits with great success.
References:
2) https://fordstreet.org/substance-abuse-treatment/
Carolyn Brown, HTR is a graduate of the Horticultural Therapy Institute’s certificate program and the Vocational Services Provider at Ukiah Recovery Center.
Tips for Practice:
Flower Farming & the Merits of HT Internship
By Caroline Mastal
HT Career Path
My pursuit of a horticultural therapy internship began as soon as I graduated from the Horticultural Therapy Institute (HTI) in the Fall of 2024. Living in the mid-Atlantic area, I eagerly sought qualified HTR mentors listed on the AHTA registry and reached out to several, stating my status and keen desires to begin a career in the HT field. I simultaneously researched local Care Farms where I could volunteer to gain some valuable farming experience. The Care Farm network lists over 300 farms in the U.S. and Canada, encompassing various farming practices such as vegetable and flower production, raising farm animals, beekeeping, orchard tending, and hydroponic farming. Many farms are 501c non-profit organizations, with over 50 percent being vocational skill oriented. Care Farms cater to a wide range of populations.
Flowering Farming
I found two promising farms in my area and began volunteering immediately. One farm served the developmentally disabled population, providing vocational training with organic food production for their community. The second farm offered a flower farming vocational modality for neurodivergent young adults (ages 18-30). After a few weeks of volunteering, I was offered a permanent paid position at the flower farm to become a group mentor. I committed to a 20-hour/week role leading a team of neurodivergent individuals through daily gardening maintenance tasks. As a mentor, it is my privilege to guide and positively influence the client’s personal growth while promoting job skill readiness. The flower farm employs nearly 30 neurodivergent “apprentices” with a staff of eight mentors, aided by a handful of community volunteers. The apprentices are taught every aspect of flower farming, from initial bed prep to harvesting and incorporating the flowers into deliverable floral bouquets sold as CSA subscriptions. The program’s mission is for the apprentices to acquire a defined set of skills that support independent working and self-confidence in the workforce. The farm reinforces sustainability by utilizing every component of leftover product as donations to local charities or as dried materials for later use.
Sharing Gardening Knowledge
Here, on a modest 1.5-acre farm in Virginia, I can serve in a therapeutic vocational training capacity, utilizing all the skills and techniques learned from HTI to positively benefit another’s circumstances. The people I work with have become an integral part of my life, as I look forward to sharing my gardening knowledge and practicing therapeutic horticulture each day, I am onsite. This humble flower farm has indoctrinated me with valuable lessons about the importance of nature as a teacher/healer and how significant the people-plant connection is as a therapeutic modality. Choosing to pursue a therapeutic horticultural internship has been a truly rewarding experience that will continue to benefit me for the rest of my HT career.
Important Internship Considerations
Some important considerations to make when deciding to engage in an HT internship:
- Time and Financial Commitment: A 500-hour internship requires a significant investment of time and resources. It’s essential to plan accordingly. However, the benefits of the experience often outweigh the challenges. The skills and knowledge gained during the internship are invaluable, providing a strong foundation for a future horticultural therapy or therapeutic horticulture career.
- Hands-on Experience: Provision for hands-on experience in real-world settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, botanical gardens, and vocational training places like Care Farms is invaluable. Guidance by a registered HTR mentor is highly recommended and required for professional registration.
- Personal Skill Development: Opportunities to build upon personal skills such as:
- Communication
- Leadership roles
- Group facilitation
- Organization
- Time management
- Network Connections: Establishing network connections within the organization and with supporting partners can lead to future horticultural services being offered within the community.
- Personal Growth and Career Launching: Seeking a purpose for HT in the community and having a firm support system that incorporates a self-care routine are crucial for personal growth and favorable career launching circumstances.
By evaluating your readiness, setting clear goals, and seeking mentorship, you can set yourself up for success and make the most of this significant commitment.
Remember, a 500-hour internship is an investment in your HT future. With careful planning and preparation, you can emerge as a confident, skilled, and passionate horticultural therapist.
Caroline interns at Legacy Farms Virginia (legacyfarmsvirginia.org) in Loudoun County, Northern VA. She’s a proud graduate of HTI and is working towards acquiring her HTR status. She is a member of multiple HT organizations including AHTA, MATHN, DMVHT, CAROLINASHTN, and is a dedicated Master Gardener. To contact her email:[email protected]
HTI Kudos
Congratulations to past HTI graduate Rohini Deshpande who published “Garden to Table: Simple Recipes with Herbs & Edible Flowers” last November. During her horticultural therapy internship with adults with intellectual disabilities, she conducted food recipe sessions once a month using harvested produce from the garden. The recipe book is based on her long-term project and includes benefits of herbs and edible flowers.
Abstract submissions are now being accepted through Nov. 15th for the 32nd International Horticultural Congress to be held in Kyoto, Japan Aug. 23-28, 2026. The Congress will include the XVII International People Plant Symposium. The theme of the symposium is “Exploring Human-Nature Interactions: Research & Practice for Improving Health and Quality of Life”. The gathering will bring together leading researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to exchange ideas and promote progress in the field of HT and naturopathy. Submit an abstract or obtain further information.
