Organizations
The American Horticultural Therapy Association — (AHTA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and advance the profession of horticultural therapy as a therapeutic intervention and rehabilitative medium. AHTA is the only US national organization that promotes and advances the profession of horticultural therapy. The main office is in Prussia, Pennsylvania. Located at 150 S. Warner Rd., King Prussia, PA 19406.
By phone at. 484-654-0357
Thrive, UK has been using social therapeutic horticulture and gardening to change people’s lives since 1979 and provides numerous resources on their website.
Colorado State University/Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture — all classes offered by the Horticultural Therapy Institute are accredited for academic credit by Colorado State University’s Department of Horticulture.
The Therapeutic Landscapes Network is a knowledge base and gathering space about healing gardens, restorative landscapes, and other green spaces that promote health and well-being. They are an international, multidisciplinary community of designers, health and human service providers, scholars, and gardeners. The focus is broad but the primary emphasis is on evidence-based design in healthcare settings.
Literature by HTI
Horticultural Therapy methods:
Connecting People and Plants in Health Care, Human Services, and Therapeutic Programs
Third Edition
By Rebecca L. Haller and Christine L. Capra, 3rd Ed.
2025 CRC Press
Horticultural Therapy Methods: Connecting People and Plants in Health Care, Human Services, and Therapeutic Programs was the first text to describe the processes and techniques used to provide horticultural therapy interventions, and the rationale for their use. The first edition was written to positively impact the professional practice of horticultural therapy and provide an array of strategies for horticultural therapy treatment. Prior to its publication, the topics had only been addressed by other allied professions but had not been specifically tailored for horticultural therapy. The second edition updated the material, added essential information on planning treatment sessions, and provided techniques to address treatment issues for mental health, physical health, vocational skills, and wellness. This third edition revises all chapter content, improves and expands appendices, adds a chapter on building relationships, provides new photos, and includes additional case examples, in addition to providing discussion questions, references, further reading, and key concepts.
Horticultural Therapy Methods is a clear instructive manual that explains:
- The process of treatment planning in horticultural therapy
- Session development, including activity or task selections to meet treatment objectives
- Therapeutic use of self and relationship building
- Motivation and behavior management techniques
- Adaptations and modifications to enable and challenge program participants
- How to maximize active engagement in horticulture and cultivation of plants
- Treatment documentation guidelines
- Practical approaches for mental health and other areas of practice
Horticultural Therapy Methods: Connecting People and Plants in Health Care, Human Services, and Therapeutic Programs, Third Edition is a reference and guide for students, educators, and those using horticulture for therapeutic purposes to help construct effective treatment programs. Health care and human service professionals can use this reference in the therapy, treatment, and education of inmates, residents, patients, trainees, students and others. The aim of this book is to guide novice and experienced horticultural therapists to use accepted human service practices that are aligned with allied professions. Go to Go to CRC Press
The Profession and Practice of Horticultural Therapy
Editors: Rebecca L. Haller, Karen L. Kennedy and Christine L. Capra
Horticultural therapy is a profession that serves the needs of practitioners having a broad understanding of the theories, techniques, and strategies for effective program development and management. This book is a manual of theories of horticultural therapy containing models of practices and programs.
Selected Contents
Overview of Horticultural Therapy Practice. Introduction. Horticultural Therapy. Related people-Plant Efforts, and other Therapeutic Disciplines. The Therapist/Client Relationship. Issues for the Profession. Theories Supporting Horticultural Therapy Efficacy and Practice. People Plant Response. Trauma Recovery and Brain Theories. Theories that Inform HT Practice. Practice with Program Models. Therapeutic Model. Vocational Model. Wellness Model. Tools for the Therapist. Accommodations and Adaptive Techniques. Assessment and Documentation Strategies for HT Intervention. Tools for Program Management.
Catalog no. K37990
February 2019, 368 pp.
ISBN: 978-1-1383-0869-5
Go to CRC Press to purchase
Horticultural Therapy Methods:
Connecting People and Plants in Health Care, Human Services, and Therapeutic Programs
Second Edition
By Rebecca L. Haller and Christine L. Capra, Ed.
2016 CRC Press; Hardcover 184 pages
By Rebecca L. Haller and Christine L. Capra, Ed.
2016 CRC Press; Hardcover 184 pages
Horticultural therapy is a recognized and respected therapeutic modality conducted by trained, registered professionals. This book presents types of programs, settings, and goals in horticultural therapy. It outlines treatment planning; development of sessions to meet treatment objectives; motivation and behavior management techniques; documentation guidelines; practical approaches for wellness; and resources for activity ideas. All existing chapters in the current edition are updated, and this new edition contains a new chapter on planning horticultural therapy sessions.
Key Features:
- Contains professional methods that are specifically geared for horticultural therapy practice.
- Includes methods for the entire treatment process, including goals, objectives, sessions, activities, and documenting participant change.
- Provides guidance for horticultural therapy session planning.
- Contains wide-ranging examples of treatment strategies.
- Concepts and methods are also applicable to therapeutic horticulture use and related endeavors, such as school and community gardening.
Key Articles
Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture
American Horticultural Therapy Association