{"id":12533,"date":"2025-11-25T19:47:35","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T19:47:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dug.org\/?post_type=latest_news&p=12533"},"modified":"2026-01-08T19:54:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T19:54:11","slug":"new-therapeutic-gardens-training-program-launches","status":"publish","type":"latest_news","link":"https:\/\/dug.org\/latest-news\/new-therapeutic-gardens-training-program-launches\/","title":{"rendered":"New Therapeutic Gardens Training Program Launches"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n

If you\u2019re searching for ways to bring nature-based healing, therapeutic gardening, and outdoor wellness practices<\/strong> into your work or community, the Therapeutic Gardens Training Program<\/strong><\/a> from Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) is one of the most comprehensive programs available. This nine-month, evidence-based training<\/strong> equips educators, wellness practitioners, and community leaders to create healing garden spaces that support mental health, emotional resilience, and social connection.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re interested in healing gardens, therapeutic horticulture, or trauma-informed outdoor education<\/strong>, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about the program \u2014 including who it\u2019s for, what you\u2019ll learn, and how to apply.<\/p>\n

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Who Should Join the Therapeutic Gardens Training Program?<\/h3>\n

This training is ideal for anyone invested in wellness, education, youth development, or community engagement<\/strong>, especially if you want to integrate nature-based practices into your work.<\/p>\n

Best-fit participants include:<\/h3>\n
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    Educators & School Staff<\/strong>
    Perfect for teachers, counselors, SEL coordinators, and administrators looking to incorporate outdoor learning and social-emotional programming into classrooms or school gardens.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Mental Health & Wellness Professionals<\/strong>
    Therapists, counselors, social workers, and youth service providers can learn how to use garden-based activities as tools for emotional regulation, trauma-informed healing, and sensory support.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Community Organizations & Leaders<\/strong>
    Nonprofits, community advocates, and urban gardeners can develop the skills needed to build accessible, inclusive, and healing outdoor spaces for neighborhoods and community groups.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    If your work involves well-being, education, youth empowerment, or community health<\/strong>, this program can dramatically expand your impact.<\/p>\n

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    What You Will Learn: Key Skills & Therapeutic Gardening Techniques<\/h3>\n

    DUG\u2019s Therapeutic Gardens Training Program blends evidence-based theory, hands-on gardening practice, and trauma-informed facilitation skills<\/strong>. By the end, participants gain the ability to design and lead healing garden programs.<\/p>\n

    Core learning outcomes include:<\/h3>\n
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      Understanding the science behind nature-based wellness<\/strong> and its impact on emotional and physical health<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Designing safe, inclusive, sensory-rich garden environments<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Facilitating mindfulness, movement, sensory exploration<\/strong>, and grounding practices outdoors<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Adapting garden experiences for diverse ages, abilities, and needs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Integrating therapeutic gardening into schools, after-school programs, therapy sessions, or community health initiatives<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Collecting stories, observations, and data to demonstrate program impact<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Building community around healing garden spaces<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      These skills make graduates uniquely equipped to lead therapeutic horticulture programs<\/strong>, SEL garden activities, outdoor mindfulness sessions, and more.<\/p>\n

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      Why the Therapeutic Gardens Training Program Stands Out<\/h3>\n

      This program is unique because it integrates:<\/p>\n

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        Evidence-based nature care practices<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Hands-on therapeutic horticulture training<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Trauma-informed educational strategies<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Community-centered program design<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        SEL-focused outdoor learning techniques<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Participants leave with the confidence to design and lead garden spaces that nourish mental health, emotional resilience, community connection, and overall well-being<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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        How to Apply for the Next Cohort<\/h3>\n

        Applications for the 2026 cohort open December 1, 2025<\/strong> and close January 9, 2026<\/strong>. Because spaces are limited and demand is high, early application is recommended.<\/p>\n

        If you\u2019re ready to grow your skills in therapeutic gardening, nature-based wellness, outdoor education, and healing community spaces<\/strong>, this program is a powerful next step.<\/p>\n

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        Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n

        As interest in nature-based healing continues to grow, programs like DUG\u2019s Therapeutic Gardens Training are becoming essential tools for schools, mental health providers, and community organizations.<\/p>\n

        If you want to bring the benefits of healing gardens, therapeutic horticulture, and nature-connected wellness practices<\/strong> into your work, this program offers everything you need to get started \u2014 and to create lasting, meaningful change in your community.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"featured_media":11941,"template":"","class_list":{"0":"post-12533","1":"latest_news","2":"type-latest_news","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"news_type-gardens-and-food-forests","7":"news_type-therapeutic-gardens"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/latest_news\/12533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/latest_news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/latest_news"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/latest_news\/12533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13259,"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/latest_news\/12533\/revisions\/13259"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}