Hi, I’m Rebecca Reimer, a Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner and the person behind The Restorative Way.
I didn’t set out to work in therapeutic horticulture. In many ways, I stumbled into it.
I was creating opportunities for people of all ages to garden—to plant seeds, grow food, get their hands dirty and participate in meaningful work. Somewhere along the way, I started noticing what was happening beyond the plants.
People talked when their hands were busy. They slowed down. They took risks. They problem solved. They experienced success—and sometimes failure—and tried again.
I realized:
We weren’t just growing plants. We were creating opportunities for people to grow too.
That realization changed the direction of my work.
Why the Garden?
I love the garden because plants are disarming.
There isn’t always pressure to sit still, make eye contact or find the right words. We can work side-by-side. Hands can be busy. Bodies can move. There can be room for quiet.
The garden naturally gives us opportunities to practice regulation, focus, confidence, connection, problem solving and resilience.
Sometimes, when our hands are busy doing something meaningful, everything else gets a little quieter.
My Work
Today, much of my work is with children and youth from JK through Grade 12, including individuals with a wide range of developmental, emotional, sensory and learning needs.
Through strong community partnerships, I created and facilitate the Living Learning Program at Chatham Christian School, where gardening, food growing, hydroponics, aquaponics, composting and nature-based experiences become opportunities for hands-on learning, connection and growth.
Through The Restorative Way, I also offer individual therapeutic horticulture experiences, workshops and speaking.
Training & Professional Involvement
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies with a Children’s Ministries focus from Steinbach Bible College and have completed 120 hours of Horticulture as Therapy training with Mitchell Hewson, HTM, a pioneer in the field of horticultural therapy in Canada.
Over the past five years, I have accumulated more than 500 hours of hands-on therapeutic horticulture experience, working with people of varying ages, abilities and needs.
My professional involvement includes the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association (CHTA), where I serve on the Editorial Committee; Root in Nature, where I am an Ambassador; and presenting within the horticultural therapy community.
The Restorative Way
My Christian faith shapes how I understand people, creation and the inherent value of every person. I believe we all need places where we can slow down, experience purpose, belong and grow.
For me, the garden has become one of those places.
The Restorative Way grew from a desire to share it with others.
The Restorative Way 