AHTA Internship Handbook

An Internship is a required component of the Professional Registration application. Guidelines for choosing/completing your internship can be found below or visit the Professional Registration page for more information about policies and procedures.

A convenient PDF version of the Internship Handbook is available for viewing and downloading here.

• Statement of Purpose and Goals
• Policies
• Procedures
• Supervisor Responsibilities
• Internship Evaluation
• AHTA Documents and Forms

I. Statement of Purpose and Goals 

The Horticultural Therapy Internship is designed to provide a background in the theory and application of horticultural therapy as a treatment modality for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. The internship is an opportunity for the intern to serve in the role of clinician, educator, and technician gaining experience in both the therapeutic and horticultural aspects of the professional horticultural therapist. 

These guidelines provide a definition of the role and responsibilities of the intern and the supervisor, identify the requirements of the internship, and outline the structure of the internship conducted in the horticultural therapy setting. Forms necessary to complete the internship are included in Section VI.

Goals: 

• To develop a functional knowledge of horticultural therapy, its theory and application, and a perspective of how it fits into the overall treatment process.
• To understand how horticultural therapy is similar to, and unique from, other disciplines.
• To develop an understanding of the social, psychological, and physiological aspects of disability.
• To develop skills in forming assessments regarding client goals, interests, and abilities, and to use this assessment to develop a treatment plan, appropriate activities, and adaptations.
• To develop effective communication and interpersonal skills with clients and staff.
• To develop initiative in organization of individual and group programs.
• To gain knowledge of administrative requirements affecting the functioning of an organization or department supporting a horticultural therapy program.
• To develop the basic skills in horticulture to effectively utilize plant materials and methods to facilitate horticultural therapy programming.

II. Policies

A. Supervisor Requirements

Horticultural therapy interns must be directly supervised by a registered horticultural therapist at the HTR or HTM level. The intern supervisor is required to:

1. be professionally registered with the American Horticultural Therapy Association for a minimum of one (1) year
2. must be approved by the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) as an intern supervisor.  (Intern Supervisor Application)

It is the responsibility of the student to establish that the supervisor is listed on the AHTA Intern Supervisor Registry and that the internship site meets the requirements established by the AHTA. 

A prospective internship supervisor who is professionally registered as a horticultural therapist in another country will be considered upon request to AHTA.

B. Site Selection

It is the responsibility of the student to research a potential internship site, to contact the horticultural therapy intern supervisor. It is the intern’s responsibility to arrange a site visit and interview, and follow through on placement.

The American Horticultural Therapy Association recommends that an internship take place at one site with one supervisor. An internship may take place at up to two sites and an intern may be supervised by up to two supervisors over the course of the internship.

If an internship is associated with a public garden and/or outreach program where the horticultural therapy programming takes place off-site, the public garden and/or outreach program is considered the primary site. The primary site must meet all criteria listed under Section III.A.

C. Internship Application

Internships supervised on-site and off-site.  

AHTA Internship Application with On-site/Off-site Supervision serves as documentation of the internship and site for both an on-site internship and for an internship supervised by an off-site supervisor.
Application to a specific site is the responsibility of the intern. The intern may use an application provided by the internship site, or if there is no application process at the site, the AHTA Internship Application with On-site/Off-site Supervision should be completed.
It is the intern’s responsibility to complete this form and provide the supervisor with a copy.

Internships supervised off-site

If the internship is supervised by and off-site supervisor, it is the responsibility of the student to identify an on-site professional as a contact and provide the intern supervisor with the point of contact information. 

Internships supervised online

Internships with online supervision must be pre-approved by AHTA. Students who meet the eligibility criteria for online supervision are required to complete the AHTA Internship Application with Online Supervision and submit the completed application to AHTA for approval prior to beginning the internship.

The AHTA Internship Application with Online Supervision and instructions are available in the Professional Registrations/Internships Section of the AHTA website. The student eligibility criteria are identified in Section II.G.

The internship site must meet all AHTA standards and requirements and have a credentialed healthcare professional designated as an approved on-site coordinator who will serve as the liaison between the intern and the AHTA internship supervisor.

D. Pre-requisite Requirement

On-site supervision. 

A student is required to complete the Introduction to Horticultural Therapy course and an additional required horticultural therapy course, a total of 6 semester credits, prior to beginning an internship. 

Off-site supervision. 

A student must have completed 9 semester credits in horticultural therapy before starting the internship experience.  

Online supervision. 

A student must have completed all 12 plant science credits, 12 human science credits, and 9 horticultural therapy credits, the equivalent of 32 semester credit hours. 

E. Duration and Hours of Internship

The duration of an internship is 480 hours. Once an internship begins it must be completed within a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 2 years totaling 480 hours.

Within the required 480 hours, at least 60% of intern hours must be in direct client services, and up to 40% may be a combination of both non-direct client and horticulture services. It is recommended that students keep track of their internship hours over the duration of their internship to complete the Documentation of Hours once the internship is concluded. 

A suggested guideline is:

60% direct client services
15% non-direct client services
25% horticulture services

Recognizing that sites offer different opportunities, hours between non-direct client services and horticulture services may be adjusted. Documentation of hours is explained more thoroughly in Section III.C.

F. Professional Conduct

As a contributing member of the organization, interns will be expected to assume the role of a professional. The intern will have specific responsibilities to the clients, the facility and the department.

Interns will be directly responsible to the supervisor. Information, difficulties or questions relating to clients, staff, and/or performance should be directed to the supervisor.

Interns are expected to adhere to the AHTA Code of Ethics. Interns are expected to comply with the current Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and accountability Act (HIPAA) provisions. HIPAA policy and information should be available through the internship facility.

G. Supervision of Internship

Students electing to undertake an internship after completing 6-semester credits are required to be directly supervised on-site by an HTR or HTM.

Off-site: If an intern is supervised off-site, the intern must have completed 9-semester credits in horticultural therapy before starting the internship.
Online: Students seeking online supervision must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• An intern is unable to obtain an AHTA internship supervisor within a geographic area.
• An intern cannot relocate and/or travel to a site where he/she can be supervised by an AHTA internship supervisor.
• An intern must have completed all 12-semester credits in plant science, 12-semester credits in human science, and 9-semester credits in horticultural therapy coursework must be completed prior to the start of an internship. Refer to AHTA Professional Registration Policies and Procedures for a list of required coursework.

Other limitations that prevent an intern from securing in-person supervision will be considered on an individual basis.

It is expected that the intern and the supervisor meet on a regular basis. The supervision meeting is an opportunity for the intern and supervisor to exchange information, discuss clients, and review horticultural therapy services. The supervisor is responsible for scheduling supervision. It is the intern’s responsibility to document the supervision meeting. Supervision is explained more thoroughly in Section IV.

H. Evaluation of Internship

Interns will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. The intern will work with his/her supervisor to complete the initial AHTA Internship Goals and Objectives which will be used in subsequent evaluations. The AHTA Internship Performance Report serves as the tool for evaluating the intern’s performance in the required program content areas and to track progress on the intern’s identified goals. It is recommended that the AHTA Internship Performance Report be completed after 240 hours and must be completed at the end of the 480 hours.

All internship performance and projects are to be evaluated using the AHTA Internship Performance Report regardless of the duration of the hours with one or two supervisors. It is the responsibility of the intern to ensure that documentation following these guidelines is complete.

It is the intern’s responsibility to turn in the final performance evaluation(s) and the Documentation of Hours with the AHTA Professional Registration Application packet. Evaluations are explained more thoroughly in Section V.

I. Termination of Internship

An intern is expected to conduct his/her self professionally at all times. A supervisor may terminate an intern at will for behaviors deemed unprofessional and/or unethical. In situations where the safety of the intern, or the client, is jeopardized by the intern, or where a situation may result in the unprofessional representation of the site on behalf of the intern, the supervisor has the right to terminate the intern at will.

It is the responsibility of the supervisor to make all attempts to resolve the situation. Situations requiring the action of termination should be thoroughly documented by both the intern and the supervisor.

An intern may resign from his/her internship at any time. The intern should notify the supervisor in writing with the effective date of resignation.

J. AHTA Registration

It is the intern’s responsibility to complete all internship requirements set forth by AHTA. It is the intern’s responsibility to submit all documentation and forms identified in the AHTA Professional Registration Policies and Procedures. have a look at the AHTA Professional Registration Requirements and Process for complete information about professional registration and a registration application.

III. Procedures

A. Program Content

1. Site Orientation
1. Review of general policy and procedures
2. Review of specific horticultural therapy policy and procedures
3. Review of general safety procedures
4. Review of client confidentiality requirements
5. Orientation to clinical disciplines and operations
6. Orientation to basic terminology needed to facilitate communication with other clinical staff
2. Horticulture as a Treatment Modality
1. Develop client treatment plans
2. Develop program activities
3. Become knowledgeable of activity adaptations and modifications to include adaptive garden design, techniques, and tools.
4. Participate in interdisciplinary collaboration
3. Basic Horticultural Skills
1. Basic plant processes
2. Plant pest and disease management
3. Propagation techniques
4. Useful plants for HT programs
4. Professional Growth and Service
1. Orientation to the American Horticultural Therapy Association
2. Orientation to the AHTA professional registration process
3. Orientation for personal growth through workshops, conferences, committee work and networking opportunities
5. Student Responsibilities
1. To attend departmental meetings
2. To be responsible for carrying out assigned programs and activities
3. To complete all documentation required by the site
4. To plan and conduct client sessions
5. To develop and implement a short term project conducting a client session
6. To develop and implement a long term project/program integrating horticultural therapy and its application to populations served
7. To research and write a client case study
8. To keep a personal log to be turned in to the supervising horticultural therapist for review at the midpoint and upon completion of the internship
9. To complete all documentation required by AHTA for completion of an internship

B. Projects

Interns will be required to complete two projects and a case study during the course of the 480 hour internship.

1. Short-term project. The short-term project is to be completed at one site and is a client-focused intervention. The intern is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing the session under the supervision of his/her direct supervisor. The plan should include an assessment of materials, time, budget, disability, and goals. Other more specific factors will be determined in accordance with the nature of the project. The intern should work with the supervisor to identify the client's activity. The intern is expected to write up the activity plan and submit it to the supervisor upon completion of the project.
2. Long-term project. The long-term project is to be completed at one site and should benefit the site in some lasting manner. Long term projects generally involve information gathering, program development, or research of some nature integrating horticultural therapy and its application to the people served by the program. The intern should work with the supervisor to identify a long term project and to allocate time in the intern’s schedule for the project. The intern is expected to write up a summary of the project with a description of how the project will benefit the site and submit it to the supervisor upon completion of the project.
3. Case Study. The case study is to be completed at one site. The case study is a detailed description of an individual client who has participated in the horticultural therapy program for the duration of the internship. The case study should include personal data, horticultural therapy group activity information, identified goals and objectives, and outcome results. It is suggested the intern use the AHTA Case Study Outline to complete this project. The intern is encouraged to discuss the case study with the supervisor during supervision. The case study should be developed over the course of the internship, completed, and submitted to the supervisor at the end of the internship before his/her final evaluation.

C. Documentation

1. Internship: The intern is required to keep a personal log with a record of daily activities to include client interventions, meetings, horticultural activities, supervision and documentation. In the event that the intern is supervised by an off-site supervisor, the personal log should document site visits and methods of supervision. In the event the intern is supervised online, the personal log should document the methods of supervision. The student is responsible for turning in the personal log at the midpoint for review and at the end of the internship.
2. Client: When documenting on horticultural therapy interventions, it is important to document client information. Client information should include diagnosis, goals, activities, and treatment outcomes. This information can be integrated into the personal log.
3. Supervision: The intern should write up a summary of the supervision meetings to include issues presented and discussed, and feedback from the internship supervisor. There is no required form to document supervision meetings and this information is not required to be turned in. Rather it is suggested that the intern use this information for personal development.
4. Hours: It is the responsibility of the intern to record his/her internship hours. The intern is responsible for submitting the AHTA Documentation of Hours form to the supervisor upon completion of the internship. The following is a description of what is counted as internship hours in each category:
• Direct client services
• Direct client hours – hours providing horticultural therapy services to clients in a group or one-to-one. This includes in person contact or telehealth contact.
• Documentation – documentation specific to a client activity, example progress notes, treatment plan.
• Program planning/preparation – planning and preparation for specific client interventions and/or groups.
• Client meeting – client assessment, multi-disciplinary team meetings, case conference.
• Supervision meetings – observed client groups and/or one-to-ones and supervision hours.
• Non-supervision meetings – when intern observes other disciplines conducting client groups.
• Non-direct client services
• Non-client meetings – staff meetings, committee meetings, in-services.
• Special projects – both short and long-term projects and case study hours. Also include hours intern provides services to staff such as an in-service about the horticultural therapy program.
• Registration preparation – preparation of materials for submission of the AHTA professional registration application packet.
• Horticulture services
• Garden, landscape, or greenhouse – direct preparation, planning, design, construction, implementation of horticulture structures and/or facilities.
• Horticulture education – educational opportunities related to horticulture topics, plants, techniques, pest management.
• Maintenance – direct plant, garden, greenhouse, landscape maintenance, and pest management.
• Program supply and material – ordering supplies and materials.

IV. Supervisor Responsibilities

The internship supervisor is responsible for providing the intern with the opportunity to meet the goals and requirements of internship. The internship supervisor is an integral part of the horticultural therapy internship serving as a mentor, educator, and role-model to facilitate the personal and professional growth of the intern. All supervisors are expected to adhere to the AHTA Code of Ethics.

A. Clinical Responsibilities

It is a supervisor’s role to teach, model, and demonstrate professional clinical and safety skills to an intern in the context of delivering horticultural therapy services. A supervisor is responsible for assisting an intern to develop counseling and communication skills to work effectively with the clients. Specific counseling skills such as empathy, active listening, summarization, and positive regard are all suggested counseling skills for an intern to develop.

It is the supervisor’s role to recognize strengths and weaknesses of the intern and to develop appropriate goals and objectives to foster future professional competency. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to identify the intern’s caseload. The supervisor is expected to assist the intern in developing the appropriate skills to perform task analysis, develop treatment plans, and deliver horticultural therapy services designed to meet the specific client treatment goals. The supervisor is responsible for ensuring that treatment goals are appropriate to the client served. 

The supervisor should demonstrate skills in adapting horticultural activities to meet the specific needs of the client served. The supervisor should discuss aspects of disability and the process of identifying appropriate adaptations.

It is the supervisor’s role to maintain professional boundaries with the intern at all times. The supervisor is expected to provide constructive feedback when necessary and demonstrate appropriate therapeutic boundaries when working with clients.

Termination of an Intern

Supervisors are responsible for anticipating serious problems affecting an intern’s ability to function in the capacity as an intern and to deliver horticultural therapy services. If the supervisor recognizes areas of concern, the supervisor must promptly communicate with the intern and make all efforts to solve the situation with the intern. In situations where a supervisor feels that an intern is acting in an unprofessional or unethical manner, it is the responsibility of the supervisor to discuss this with the intern and make all attempts to resolve the situation.