Rebecca  Haller Author of Evaluating Organization Development
FEATURED AUTHOR

Rebecca Haller

Director and Lead Instructor
Horticultural Therapy Institute

Rebecca L. Haller, HTM directs the Horticultural Therapy Institute in Denver, Colorado, and teaches horticultural therapy (HT) classes in affiliation with Colorado State University. Practice experience includes meeting the needs of diverse populations seeking therapeutic, wellness or vocational outcomes, with an emphasis on vocational training for people with developmental disabilities. A leader in the field, she is passionate about guiding others to create and sustain successful HT programs.

Biography

Rebecca L. Haller, HTM directs the Horticultural Therapy Institute in Denver, Colorado. She teaches horticultural therapy classes at several sites across the U.S. in affiliation with Colorado State University, where she developed a concentration in horticultural therapy at the Bachelor’s level. She has published and provided instruction about the processes of horticultural therapy, with a particular emphasis on employing professional methods and practices.

Ms. Haller has practiced and taught horticultural therapy for a wide array of populations and program types. In 1981 she established a still-thriving vocational horticultural therapy program for adults with developmental disabilities.. In addition, she developed and taught a horticultural therapy certificate program at the Denver Botanic Gardens and has served as president and board member of the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA). Ms. Haller is an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Colorado State University. She is an enthusiastic speaker on horticultural therapy and related topics, and has addressed numerous organizations as well as speaking at regional meetings, classes and conferences.

In 2008, she received the publications award from AHTA for the book Horticultural Therapy Methods: Making Connections in Health Care, Human Service and Community Programs. In 2005, she received the Horticultural Therapy Award from the American Horticultural Society.

Education

    M.S. Horticultural Therapy, Kansas State University, 1978
    B.S. Sociology and Psychology, Kansas State University, 1975

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

    - professional standards for horticultural therapists
    - curricula and courses for teaching best practices in horticultural therapy
    - development and management of horticultural therapy programs and facilities, including: design, implementation, use of horticulture to meet individualized treatment outcomes, and program sustainability
    - garden design for therapy, sensory interest, accessibility, empowerment, and to meet treatment goals for a variety of health and wellbeing outcomes.

Personal Interests

    Gardening, hiking, traveling, as well as preparing, sharing and enjoying good food.

Books

Featured Title
 Featured Title - Horticultural Therapy - 1st Edition book cover