For a field that uses the words therapist and therapy, documentation is an essential aspect of professional practice. And yet, it’s one of the areas many practitioners feel the least confident in, or the most pressed for time with. I absolutely relate to that. Documentation can feel intimidating, or like something that happens after the […]

Starting out in horticultural therapy, or any self-employed therapeutic practice, can feel a little like wandering through a forest without a map. When I first began, I said yes to almost any contract that came my way. At the time, it felt like progress, but in reality, it caused a lot of stress, and looking […]

This blog post describes a day in the life of a Horticultural Therapist (HTR) working in a few different settings- and all the in between! For me, my weeks have taken many shapes over the years. Right now, I work across four different sites, each for a full 6–7.5 hour workday.

HT & TH at Evanmorr Acres- Farm-Based Horticultural Therapy  This fall marked the close of my first year facilitating Horticultural Therapy (HT) and Therapeutic Horticulture (TH) programming with the Nanaimo Association for Community Living (NACL) at Evanmorr Acres. It has been both the fulfillment of a long-term goal and a beautiful learning curve that has […]

When I talk about Horticultural Therapy with someone new to the field, I’m usually met with excitement and curiosity. People get it. Many feel the pull toward nature-based work or interventions. But then come the practical questions: “How do you convince organizations this is worth funding?” “How do you demonstrate the value?” “How can someone […]

One of the most common questions I hear from new and emerging HT professionals is: “How do I pay for all of this?” There are creative, practical ways to fund your horticultural therapy programs without breaking the bank.

This post is about thinking outside the (planter) box.

“Both HT and TH involve human vulnerability. Neither should be approached casually or without adequate therapeutic training.” In recent years, I’ve noticed a mixed, and at times, misleading, understanding of the terms Horticultural Therapy (HT) and Therapeutic Horticulture (TH). Sometimes, people assume that if a professional does not want to pursue in-depth training, they can […]

Most of us who come to this field have a moment of magic: the first time we hear the words horticultural therapy. For me, it was one of those “Wait, that’s a thing??” moments. And once that term crossed my path, the questions quickly followed: Why are there two types- Horticultural Therapy (HT) and Therapeutic […]