Horticultural Therapy Institute offers “Fundamentals of HT”

Horticultural Therapy (HT) uses plants, gardens, and other aspects of nature to improve people’s social, spiritual, physical and emotional well-being. If you’re interested in learning more about and even becoming certified in HT, check out these Fundamentals of Horticultural Therapy classes being offered by the Horticultural Therapy Institute:

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 Fundamentals of Horticultural Therapy this fall in one of three locations.

With its unique format, you don’t need to live where the classes are held and the format accommodates those who must travel to attend. You can complete this class in only four consecutive days at one of the class sites (Thursday-Sunday).

At the non-profit Horticultural Therapy Institute, students gain the skills and confidence to create and manage successful horticultural therapy programs, and are inspired to become leaders in the practice and profession of horticultural therapy. Our experienced faculty is dedicated to teaching best practices with passion and excellence, keeping an eye on the changing needs of programs, people and places. The four-day class will introduce the profession and practice of horticultural therapy, which uses gardening activities in community gardens, children’s gardens, prisons and health care and human service programs for example. The course describes the types of programs utilizing HT as well as the cognitive, social, emotional and physical goals for the varied people served. It also exposes students to resources for further exploration and to professionals in the field.

The Institute offers professional training for both adult and traditional students that include a certificate in HT. Courses are designed in a hybrid distance learning format with face-to-face instruction that builds a professional network. College credit is available for all classes through HTI’s partner, Colorado State University as well as CEU’s. The concentrated course of study can lead towards a credential in HT from the American Horticultural Therapy Association.

HTI’s mission is to provide education and training in HT to those new to, or experienced with, the practice of using gardening and plants to improve the lives of others. The staff at the Institute has been offering HT education for nearly 20 years. Take one class, or the full certificate program (four class’s total) and see how our curriculum can meet your needs.

Upcoming classes include:

Missouri Botanical Garden
St. Louis, MO
Oct. 6-9, 2011
Deadline for enrollment: Sept. 19
Fee: $750 or $600 for full time college students

Anchor Center for Blind Children
Denver, CO
Nov. 3-6, 2011
Deadline for enrollment: Oct. 3
Fee: $750 or $600 for full time college students

Skyland Trail
Atlanta, GA
Nov. 17-20, 2011
Deadline for enrollment: Oct. 17
Fee: $750 or $600 for full time college students

For more information or to enroll call Christine Kramer, Program Manager at 303-388-0500 or visit www.htinstitute.org.

Thanks, Christine, for the info for this post!

Visit the Therapeutic Landscapes Network’s page on Horticultural Therapy (www.healinglandscapes.org/related/hort-therapy) to learn more about the discipline and for links to HT programs throughout the world.