Horticultural therapist

Career path and progression

You could use horticultural therapy as part of a wider role, like occupational therapy. With experience and further study, you could move into a supervisory role, or research.

You could become self-employed or teach and supervise trainees in therapeutic horticulture methods.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of psychology
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• excellent verbal communication skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to work well with others
• leadership skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Biology - Horticultural therapists need to understand how plants grow, what conditions they need, and how seasons affect gardens. They also draw on knowledge of human biology to understand how physical activity and outdoor environments support recovery from injury or illness.
• Psychology - Horticultural therapists work directly with people's mental health, confidence, and self-esteem. Understanding psychological concepts like motivation, behaviour change, and therapeutic approaches helps them design gardening activities that genuinely support their clients' wellbeing.
• Environmental Science - Horticultural therapists work outdoors with plants, soil, and ecosystems, and need to understand how environmental factors affect growing conditions. Knowledge of sustainability and land management also helps when planning and maintaining therapeutic garden spaces.

Also relevant

• Sociology - Horticultural therapists work with people from diverse backgrounds, including those facing social exclusion, disability, or mental health challenges. Understanding how social factors like poverty, inequality, and community affect people's lives helps them support clients more effectively.
• Physical Education - Horticultural therapists use physical gardening activities to help clients restore strength, mobility, and coordination after injury or illness. Understanding how the body responds to exercise and movement helps them plan activities that are safe and beneficial.
• Design and Technology - Horticultural therapists design and build garden spaces, raised beds, and adapted tools that suit their clients' needs. Practical skills in working with materials and understanding the design process help them create accessible and therapeutic environments.
• Business - Horticultural therapists often draw up project proposals, raise funds, and manage budgets for their programmes. Those who become self-employed also need to market their services, handle finances, and manage their own business.
• English Language - Horticultural therapists write project proposals, funding applications, and progress reports on their clients. They also need strong verbal communication skills for counselling conversations and for working alongside psychologists, social workers, and other professionals.