Horticultural therapists use horticultural activities to improve health. It’s a relatively new area of work and study – but one set to blossom! This course is ideal for those keen to explore the practical side of therapeutic garden design or deliver therapy programs. This includes those working in teaching, caring, counselling or psychotherapy roles or even garden or landscape designers!
The Certificate of Horticultural Therapy is an online professional development program that will enable you to assist people in developing their social skills, improve physical mobility and regain their confidence.
In this horticultural therapy course, you will study the range of horticultural therapy benefits, and how to create a therapeutic garden, including producing fruit, veggies and herbs.
You will also learn how to ‘enable the disabled’ via communication, teaching and counselling, and understand what risks are involved when working in a therapy situation.
On completion of this course, you will understand the physical and psychological benefits of horticultural therapy, and how it can become a partial or fully funded activity that generates income!
Course Structure
Unit - Horticultural Therapy
Unit 1 – Scope and nature of horticultural therapy
- Why horticultural therapy?
- Who uses horticultural therapy?
- Where can we use horticultural therapy programs?
- What are the benefits of using horticultural therapy
- General benefits
- Physical benefits
- Psychological benefits
- What do you need to be a horticultural therapist?
- Typical jobs or career paths
- Liability
Unit 2 – Understanding disabilities and communicating with people with disabilities – Communication, teaching and counselling skills
- The significance of communication skills to interacting with clients in a horticultural therapy situation
- What are intellectual disabilities/ intellectually challenged/ learning?
- What are mental illnesses /mental health issues/ mental disorders?
- What is communication?
- Effective communication skills
- Self-awareness
- Self-esteem
- Listening
- Teaching skills
- Learning principles – what is learning?
- Teaching strategies
- Teaching models
- Recognising learner’s needs
- Writing a program
- Counselling skills
Unit 3 – Risk management – Hygiene for vulnerable people; what extra risks are to be considered in a therapy situation – chemical, physical
- Identifying potential risks to participants within a horticultural therapy program
- Developing risk minimisation procedures
- Risk management for vulnerable people
- Workplace health and safety issues
- Identifying hazards
- Assessing sites and operations for risk
- Conducting a safety audit
- Risk control methods
- Safety precautions for a horticultural therapy program
- Manual lifting
- Rules for using tools
- Personal protective equipment
Unit 4 – Accessibility and activities for people with mobility issues
- Determine solutions to improve accessibility for disabled people in horticultural situations
- Ensuring that horticultural therapy is offered in a way that is accessible to clients and their particular needs
- Help with manual tasks
- Examples of adaptations in tools and equipment
- Physical support
- Understanding ergonomics
- Working with other professionals
- Protective gear
Unit 5 – Enabling the disabled – with restricted motor skills
- Modify horticultural practices to be suitable for disabled people
- Enabling gardening activities
- Gardening in raised beds
- Staged therapies
- Horticultural therapy for mental disorders
- Effectiveness of horticultural activities
Unit 6 – Producing things – Vegetables, propagation, fruit, herbs
- The garden – a growing place
- Planning the crop
- What to grow?
- Planning the cropping program
- Crop rotation
- No-dig techniques
- Propagation
- Sowing and transplanting guide
- Transplanting seedlings
- Crowns, offsets and tubers
- Cold frames
- Fruit
- Herbs
- Propagating herbs
- Culinary herbs directory
Unit 7 – Growing in containers -Vertical gardens, pots, hydroponics
- Growing plants in containers
- Problems that can occur with pots
- Growing fruit trees in a container
- Growing strawberries in containers
- Growing vegetables in containers
- Vertical gardens
- Hydroponics
- A simple hydroponic system
Unit 8 – Creating a therapeutic garden
- Learn to create gardens that are appropriate for horticultural therapy situations
- Creating a therapeutic garden
- Consulting with other professionals
- Garden retreats for rest and recuperation
- Sensory gardens
- Some popular plants for a therapeutic garden
- Landscape principles
- Design elements
- Plants to avoid or to use under certain conditions
Unit 9 – Generating income
- Explore ways that horticultural therapy can become a partial or fully funded activity by generating income
- Working with others
- Work hours & pay
- Sheltered workshops
- Therapeutic farms
- Small business opportunities for disabled people
- Certification and registration
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
This was a wonderful experience. I found all resources and assignments easy to navigate and provided me with the correct knowledge and skills to be successful in my studies.
A.Hammel, Koroit, VIC | Certificate of Horticultural Therapy
The tutor was very responsive and quick to answer!
S. Bélair-Bergman, Canada, Quebec | Certificate of Horticultural Therapy
It was very easy and I’m so happy to have had such easy access to it on my own time!
T. Hoit, Stafford, QLD | Certificate of Horticultural Therapy
I found the course information easy to follow and enjoyed the content.
Sherie | Amherstview, ON Canada | Certificate of Horticultural Therapy
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:-
- Horticulture Therapists
- Counsellors
- Carers
- Alternative Health Practitioners
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