CONTENTS
For First-Time Visitors
Greetings. My name is Katsuko Aoyama,Chairperson of International Flowers & Greens Therapy Association.
Clinical Psychology × Flower Arrangement = Hana Therapy
Hana means “flower” in Japanese, and I introduced Hana Therapy from Japan.
Drawing on my experience as a psychological counselor and my own healing experiences with flowers, I developed this method based on the principles of clinical psychology, using the power of fresh flowers and greenery to nurture both mind and heart.
A Hana Therapist brings peace and comfort to others through flowers, empathy, and compassion.
By combining expertise in floral beauty with emotional well-being, Hana Therapists help spread smiles, kindness, and emotional richness throughout communities, often inspiring deep insight and transformation in the lives of those they touch.
I founded the International Flowers & Greens Therapy Association（IFTA） on March 10, 2011 — the day before the Great East Japan Earthquake. The timing was shocking and deeply painful, yet it ultimately became a turning point.
What began as a moment of sorrow evolved into a mission to support disaster-affected communities through flowers, and through this, I discovered the unique and special power that flowers possess.
The Power of Flowers and the Hana Therapist
In today’s world, crises in the environment, society, economy, technology, and politics are deeply intertwined,making it harder than ever to find peace of mind.
Living amid such complexity, many of us carry far more emotional burdens than we realize, and at times, we may even fall into a state of crisis, losing sight of our motivation or sense of purpose.
Yet I have witnessed, time and again, how a single flower can heal a weary heart, help someone regain a positive outlook on life, and even bring about profound transformation.
For example, placing flowers in a home where family conversations had ceased can restore warmth and connection among family members. Someone who lost both home and family in a natural disaster found comfort and began to smile again through the gentle presence of flowers.
I have repeatedly seen how flowers can touch the human heart, creating subtle yet profound changes — sometimes transforming an entire life.
Those who come to understand the power of flowers learn to bring calm and balance to their own hearts, while also sharing that healing energy with those around them.Through Hana Therapy, people begin to believe in the power of flowers to change the world.
To everyone who has encountered this curriculum: treat your study of Hana Therapy as a meaningful journey.Do not limit your learning to gaining technical floral skills or psychological knowledge.Immerse yourself in the true healing essence that flowers bring to the heart.
Somewhere in the world, many people are waiting for the person you are becoming.
What is Hana Therapy？
Clinical Psychology × Flower Arrangement = Hana Therapy
Hana Therapy is the new style of therapy by healing people’s hearts with the power of flowers. Flowers have the power to heal people’s hearts.
However, even the same flowers have a very different effect depending on the arrangement or combination of flowers.
By choosing the right flower for the person, it can heal the broken heart from the work or love, or it can give power and courage to the person who seeks be vitalized.
One of the features is that it will help you to obtain the tips of knowing the “real self”, which is something you are not even aware of, by interpreting the deep psyche from the flower arrangement.
IFTA conducted a series of psychological tests, and graphically described the “psychic reactions when people see the flowers” as a result of the tests, and it was made simple enough that anybody can understand intuitively. Anybody can learn the specialized knowledge in an easy and simple way. Currently, there are many students learning Hana Therapy.
Those who wants to experience Hana Therapy:
Please check Hana Therapy Experience and Course Descriptions.
What is the radar chart which tells you the efficacy of the flowers?
It is a pentagon-shaped graph, which describe the result of the psychic reactions when people see the flowers. The test was conducted based on the psychological assessment which is a part of clinical psychology.
It is a reliable pentagon-shaped graph, which describe the result of the psychic reactions when modern people see the flowers. The test was conducted based on the psychological assessment.
What is Hana Therapist?
Hana Therapist is “an expert in flowers and people’s hearts”. Hana Therapist can heal people’s heart with flowers by using the knowledge of Hana Therapy.
You want to vitalize people as well as yourself. You want to heal people together. You want to free people from anxiety. You want to give courage to people. You can chose the flowers for various purposes.
Furthermore, if you obtain the certification of Hana Therapist Master Instructor, you can become a certified instructor by IFTA, and you can start you own “Hana Therapist Basic Course and Advanced Course”.
It is a popular course that many people are currently taking. Those people are:
Interested in flowers and healing, and want to turn it into a job;
Managing flower arrangement courses,
or managing flower shop; and,
Certified mental health counselors and therapists, among others.
Hana Therapy described in Comic
Hana Therapy became a comic for people who would like to know what Hana Therapy is. Please have a look!
Hana Therapist Courses
３Key Skills of Hana Therapist
“Intake the power of flowers, and become who you want to be”.
Consider flower is like vitamins for hearts. You can decorate flowers that have the power necessary for your current condition to help you stabilize your heart.
“Having flowers as a keyword, you can enjoy finding yourself”
You can find out what kind of message you need for the day from the flower which draw your attention and gain the courage to take a step by sorting out your feelings.
“I can heal family members, friends, and customers by choosing the right flower for them.”
You will become able to choose and provide the right flower for the specific person in order to heal the person. You will become able to propose “the flower prescription” which can get to people’s hearts.
Features of IFTA’s Hana Therapy: You can learn about an expert knowledge in a way that anybody can easily understand. We want many people to be successful.
What is Psychological Research?
Psychological research is conducted in 2 steps. When people see flowers, their minds are affected by those flowers. Reactions of the mind are visualized on pentagon-shaped graph, and it is explained in the textbook (Visualization was successfully completed in November 2010).
In IFTA’s Hana Therapist course, people can learn about the specialized knowledge based on the self-explanatory radar chart about the effects of flowers, self-control by flowers, selection of matching flowers for a person, and how to arrange flowers.
According to IFTA’s research, color difference has a different effect on the mind even the flower type is the same, and in the same way, different flower types has different effect even the color is the same.
And there is more. When arranging flowers, positions of the flowers have different effects on the mind. Depending on the psychological state of the person, it becomes possible to stage the effects to match the condition of the person.
Until now, the power of flowers is somehow caught by sensibility, but it is considered to have a healing effect as a sense which is invisible to the eye. By scientifically reveal the power of flowers, it becomes the new flower arrangement methodology or presenting methodology which can maximize the features or effects of flowers.
It is Hana Therapy. We have received a number of reports about the healing effect of flowers.
What is Flower Radar Chart?
Why flowers can heal people?
In the first place, why people can be healed by flowers?
Each side of human brain is believed to have different roles. Simply explained, the role of left brain is “thinking”, and on the other hand, that of right brain is “feeling”. Input from the eyes will be transferred to the occipital lobe of right brain, and it will be lead to emotions, senses, feelings, and intuitions.
It is believed that flowers with visual effects including vivid colors or unique shapes will directly affect right brain, and it generates psychological effects.
It is believed that the range human mind can recognize is approximately 10%, but the rest (90%) is hard to be recognized (unconscious area).
Many people are surprised about the theory that people cannot recognize or understand even though it is about themselves (according to clinical psychology – psychoanalysis).
Have you noticed what kind of values you cherish? Have you noticed what your talents are?
It is hard to understand about yourself even it is about “yourself”.
Through Hana Therapy, you will be able to easily notice your hidden feelings through flowers or start drawing positive power which is lying dormant deep inside.
In Hana Therapy, we see that the position of the flower in the arrangement reflects the unconscious feelings. It is a therapy to help you to become aware of unnoticed possibilities through the meaning of unconsciously selected flowers or position of the flowers in the arrangement.
IFTA’s Hana Therapy was developed by Katsuko Aoyama, who is the founder of the organization, psychological counselor as well as an instructor.
Hana Therapy has a background in flowers, brain, and psychological theories, and curriculums in each course reflects those theories.
Theories and Skills which support Hana Therapy and Course Curriculums
Example of Hana Therapy’s Effect
We receive a number of feedbacks from all over Japan regarding the effects of Hana Therapy. This is an example of Hana Therapy’s effects which were observed when the session was held at a temporary housing complex in the city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
IFTA has been supporting Hana Therapy sessions in Ishinomaki since February 2012. These pictures are the example of a lady whose expression made positive transitions after each session.
Next is a case with a lady who had a chronic headache. After she experienced one session of Hana Therapy, she indicated her condition of headache was improved. In this case, she experienced Hana Therapy arrangement with yellow roses which have an effect to clear head and improve concentration”.
Following chart explains how the lady was able to improve her condition of her chronic headache:
We receive many feedbacks of various effects of flowers.
First Time Trial Lesson and Course Introduction
Ever since Hana Therapy becomes one of valuable activities in our society, would you want to try to become a Hana Therapist and make it an active career?
What is Hana Therapy Trial Lesson?
For those who thinks “What is Hana Therapy…?”
In Hana Therapy trial session, you can experience and enjoy Hana Therapy arrangement by touching fresh flowers and feeling psychological effects of flowers. You can experience flower healing in general, and you can bring your creating back home with you.
Trial Lesson Fee ＄50 for 90 min
(You can bring your creation back with you)
Please contact us from here regarding the trial lesson.
Main Contents of the Hana Therapy Trial
You can experience Hana Therapy that you can actually arrange fresh flowers.
You can get to know why people can be healed by flowers.
You can learn what you can learn to do as a Hana Therapist.
You can experience the characteristics of IFTA’s Hana Therapy.
You can learn about the healing effects of each flower.
You can learn about IFTA’s activities.
You can learn about each Hana Therapy course.
Details of each course will be explained for better understanding.
Introduction of Hana Therapy Courses
It is easy to learn by using the pentagon-shaped graph (radar chart) which explains about the effects of flowers.
Each course has a curriculum that Aoyama-sensei, who is the psychological counselor herself with over 10 years of experience of training counselors and the founder of Hana Therapy, designed by organizing the theories of flowers and psychology in a way that students can easily understand.
You can experience Hana Therapy arrangement in every session, and you can improve yourself.
Overview of Hana Therapist Basic Course
It is a course that you can learn about the basics of flowers’ healing effect and how to apply Hana Therapy to yourself.
Overview of Hana Therapist Advanced Course
It is a course that you can learn how to provide personal sessions of Hana Therapy.
*Prerequisite for taking Hana Therapy Master Course is the acquisition of Hana Therapy Bacic Course certification.
Overview of Hana Therapist Instructor Course
After completing the Hana Therapist Instructor Course, you will be able to conduct Hana Therapy trial lessons and workshops.
Overview of Hana Therapist Master Instructor Course
After completing Hana Therapist Master Instructor Course, you can teach Hana Therapist Advanced Course and Bacic Course.*Prerequisite for taking Hana Therapist Master Instructor Course is the acquisition of Hana Therapist Instructor Course certification.
Hana Therapist Basic Course
Overview of Hana Therapist Basic Course
Duration: 10 hours / Fee: USD 490
(Includes course tuition USD 400, certification fee USD 40, and membership fee USD 50. Flower materials are not included.)
Flower materials cost approximately USD 30 per piece, and may vary depending on the materials used.
This certification can be renewed by payment of the annual membership fee only.
Hana Therapist Basic Course is designed to heal yourself by flowers. You can learn about the basics of the psychological effects of flowers as well as the self-control by flowers. If you can heal yourself by flowers, you will be able to speak about the healing of mind for your family members or others around you.
Curriculum of the Hana Therapist Basic Course
1. Flowers of Activeness and Vitality
2. Flowers of Healing and Relaxation
○ Column 1: The Research on Psychological Effects of Flowers
○ Column 2: Healing the Heart with Flowers
3. Flowers of Presence and Significance
4. Flowers of Refreshment and Lightness
5. Flowers of Happiness and Warmth
6. Discovering Yourself Through Flowers — The Self-Awareness Lesson
○Column 3: Become the Person You Want to Be with the Power of Flowers!
7. Practical Exercises
You can enjoy healing flower arrangement every time.
You can learn about the healing effect of each flower from the radar chart which displays the psychological effect of flowers.
【Course Requirement】
Anybody who are interested in the healing effect of flowers can take the course.
It is recommended for the following type of people:
Those who love flowers and want to know more about them.
Those who want to acquire new certification about flowers.
Those who want to improve yourself.
Those who want to enjoy daily life with the healing power of flowers.
Those who want to change yourself.
Those who want to improve personal relationships.
Those who want to learn about Hana Therapy from the basics.
Hana Therapist Advanced Course
Overview of Hana Therapist Advanced Course
Option 1: Basic + Advanced Set Course
Duration: 25 hours / Fee: USD 1,360
(Includes course tuition USD 1,200, certification fee USD 110, and membership fee USD 50. Flower materials are not included.)
Option 2: Advanced Course Only
Duration: 15 hours / Fee: USD 1,125
(Includes course tuition USD 1,000 and certification fee USD 80. Flower materials are not included.)
Flower materials cost approximately USD 30 per piece, and may vary depending on the materials used.
The Advanced Course is available after completing the Basic Course.
Enrollment in the Advanced Course only is not available without prior completion of the Basic Course.
This certification requires renewal. An annual membership fee of USD 45 and submission of a report are required for renewal.
Hana Therapist Advanced Course enables you to hold personal Hana Therapy sessions. In addition to learning the psychological effects of flowers, it is a course that allows you to learn the basic mental mechanism, and enables you to arrange flowers which influence can reach effectively deeply in the heart. It is a flower healing professional course that you can propose prescription to the heart with flowers. Please experience the course by all means.
Curriculum ot the Hana Therapist Advanced Course
1. Being prepared as a Hana Therapist to offer healing to people
2. Why people can be healed by the flowers
3. Where to find the healing tip
Column 1: How to find out what kind of the flowers that the other person really is looking for.
4. Proposal of flowers by type:
A. Flowers to be given to a responsible person
B. Flowers to be given to a gentle person
C. Flowers to be given to a cool person
D. Flowers to be given to a humorous person
E. Flowers to be given to a humble person
5. Arrangement style of healing (meaning of position and direction in which flowers are arranged)
Column ② Hana therapy to make use of gifts
6. Case study · Exercise ①
People who cannot feel confident about returning to society
Case study · Exercise ②
People who are tired of failing to say what they want to say
Exercise: Experience to propose flowers as a Hana Therapist
Reference Materials
Appendix 1 – Flow of Hana Therapy Personal Session
Appendix 2 – Hana Therapist Course – Level 1 (Master Course) and Transactional Analysis (TA)
You can enjoy healing flower arrangement every time.
You can learn about the healing effect of each flower from the radar chart which displays the psychological effect of flowers.
【Course Requirement】
– Those who completed Hana Therapist Basic Course.
It is recommended for the following type of people:
Those who want to make use of the flower certification.
Those who want to expand the range of work.
Those who are involved in the flower business (flower shop, flower class, etc.)
Those who want to make use of flowers at current positions in education, child care, welfare, hospitality, and service business.
Those who want to devise business differentiating strategies.
Those who are Interested in psychology.
Hana Therapist Instructor Course
Overview of Hana Therapist Instructor Course
Full Instructor Course
Duration: 33 hours / Fee: USD 2,720
(Includes course tuition USD 2,500, certification fee USD 170, and membership fee USD 50. Flower materials are not included.)
Instructor Upgrade Course (after completing the Advanced Course)
Duration: 8 hours / Fee: USD 1,360
(Includes course tuition USD 1,300 and certification fee USD 60. Flower materials are not included.)
Flower materials cost approximately USD 30 per piece, and may vary depending on the materials used.
The Instructor Course is available after completing the Advanced Course.
This certification requires renewal. An annual membership fee of USD 45 and submission of a report are required for renewal.
* Prerequisite for taking Hana Therapist Instructor Course is the acquisition of Hana Therapist Advanced Course certification.
* Course is available for those who are supposed to do activities according to the purpose of IFTA.
Curriculum ot the Hana Therapist Instructor Course
１．Teaching Hana Therapy
２．Effects and benefits of fresh flowers
３．How to conduct a Hana Therapy trial session
４．The relationship between flowers and the five emotions
５．Learning the purpose and objectives of each Hana Therapist certification course
☆ Includes presentation materials for Hana Therapy trial sessions
☆ Includes hands-on flower arrangement experience (4 types)
☆ Practical training through role-play
Hana Therapist Master Instructor Course
Overview of Hana Therapist Master Instructor Course
Full Master Instructor Course
Duration: 45 hours / Fee: USD 4,500
(Includes course tuition USD 4,200, certification fee USD 250, and membership fee USD 50. Flower materials are not included.)
Master Instructor Upgrade Course (after completing the Instructor Course)
Duration: 12 hours / Fee: USD 1,790
(Includes course tuition USD 1,700 and certification fee USD 90. Flower materials are not included.)
Flower materials cost approximately USD 30 per piece, and may vary depending on the materials used.
The Master Instructor Course is available after completing the Instructor Course.
This certification requires renewal. An annual membership fee of USD 45 and submission of a report are required for renewal.
Curriculum ot the Hana Therapist Master Instructor Course
☆ Open the door of the heart “The first key” Organize and realize the healing experiences of flowers ①
☆ Open the door of the heart “The second key” Organize and realize the healing experiences of flowers ②
■ What is students’ expectations on “Hana Therapist teacher”?
■ Deepen the understanding of each course.
☆ To open the door of the heart “Third key” How to hold a Hana Therapy experience session? ①
☆ To open the door of the mind “Fourth key” How to hold a Hana Therapy experience session? ②
☆ Open the door of your heart “Fifth key” How to hold a Hana Therapist Basic Course? ①
☆ Opening the door of the mind “Sixth key” How to hold a Hana Therapist Basic Course? ②
■ Understand the outline and curriculum of the Hana Therapist Basic Course.
☆ Opening the door of the mind “Seventh key” How to hold a Hana Therapist Advanced Course? ①
☆ To open the door of the heart “Eighth key” How to hold a Hana Therapist Advanced Course? ②
■ Understand the outline and curriculum of Hana Therapist first grade course.
Teaching Hana Therapist Basic Course
Teaching Hana Therapist Advanced Course
Prerequisite for taking Hana Therapy Instructor Course is the acquisition of IFTA’s Hana Therapist Master Course certification.
Overview of Organization
What is General Foundation International Flowers and Greens Therapy Association (IFTA)?
IFTA was established on March 10, 2011, the day before the Great East Japan Earthquake. It is an organization that was established with the support from many people for the coming era of the mind. After the earthquake, we repeatedly held Hana Therapy sessions in a temporary housing in Ishinomaki City, Miayagi prefecture.
We provided Hana Therapist trainings in various places besides Tohoku region, and it is spreading in wider areas as new Hana Therapists started holding Hana Therapy classes one after another. We have been supporting Tohoku as well as activities held by Hana Therapists, and this is an organization that is practicing to radicate Hana Therapy culture nationwide. ※ Tohoku support activities are eligible for subsidies by the Akai Hane Central Community Chest Japan.
Philosophy
Make the World Smile with Flowers & Greens!
Train Hana Therapists and support their activities
Certify Hana Therapists
Social Contribution by Flowers
It is a general foundation corporation that conducts researches on psychological effects of flowers.
Descriptions of Activities
Hana Therapist instructor and other qualification certification business
In order to train practical Han Therapists, IFTA will provide qualification certification for various courses, including Hana Therapist Instructors.
IFTA’s membership (Annual Membership Fee 7000JPY）
IFTA has a membership system for those who agree to the philosophy of the organization and provides membership benefits for the members including Hana Therapist instructors, Hana Therapist – Level 1, Level 2 qualified persons, etc.
IFTA sends activity reports of members of IFTA, introduction of members, bulletin magazine 花夢門 (Read “Kamon”, and it is IFTA’s information magazine), discount voucher of flowers, etc.
In addition, each certification of Hana Therapist will be renewed by the payment of annual membership fee.
Agreement of Hana Therapist Course and Experience Sessions
Attending Hana Therapist Courses and Experience Sessions
1. Please bring a pair of scissors, a bag to bring your flower creation, pens, aprons (only those who need it). Textbooks for Hana Therapist courses will be handed over on the first day of the course.
2. Please note that tuition is not refundable after 1 week since the first day of the course.(Please note that cancellation fee may incur from 3 days before Hana Therapy experience session & course orientation)
3. Please note that a part of tuition is not refundable even if a student is absent a part of the course time.
4. Although there is no particular qualification examination at the end, completion of required hours on each course is one of the conditions of the certification. (Hana Therapist Course – Level 2 ⇒ 10 hours, Level 1 ⇒ 15 hours, instructor ⇒ 20 hours) Please consult with an instructor for the transfer of hours.
5. Completion of all the required hours on each course, payment of certification fee and annual membership fee will be the condition of certification to be granted.
(Please check the contents of email regarding the payment of fees.)
6. Regarding the handling of personal information, IFTA recognizes that it is important as a social obligation to appropriately protect personal information on students and members, and will not disclose any personal information to third parties without an authorization from the owner of the information. (Please check the privacy policy.)
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Privacy Policy
IFTA aims to protect the rights and interests of individuals and will endeavor to properly handle personal information as follows. Also, if you purchase the services or products of IFTA, we understand that you agree with the privacy policy, so please understand the contents of this privacy policy.
1. Compliance with Regulations
IFTA will comply with laws and other regulations concerning personal information.
2. Acquisition of Personal Information
IFTA will properly acquire personal information without deceit or other wrongful means.
3. Use of Personal Information
IFTA will properly handle the provided personal information only within the following scopes:
(1) To provide IFTA’s services,
(2) To receive comments or impressions regarding IFTA’s activities,
(3) To conduct necessary analysis including market research, customer trend analysis for the management and operation of IFTA,
(4) To use for IFTA’s marketing activities,
(5) To make contacts necessary for the operation, and
(6) To provide IFTA’s other services properly and smoothly.
In addition to the purposes mentioned above, we do not use personal information without your consent, but we will provide information to the relevant public agencies when requested based on laws and regulations.
4. Entrusting the Handling of Personal Information
When IFTA entrusts the handling of personal information to a third party, IFTA conducts strict screening on the third party and conducts appropriate supervision in order to keep the confidential information.
5. Safety Control Measures
IFTA will take necessary and appropriate measures to prevent the leakage, loss or damage of personal information and for the safety control purposes. (Disclaimer: This is not to guarantee that no harmful items such as computer viruses are contained, no unauthorized access from a third party, or other safety concerns.)
6. Disclosure and Correction of Personal Information
IFTA will disclose personal data without delay in case the owner of the information makes the request.
If there is a request for correction, addition and deletion of personal information from the owner of the information, IFTA will respond to those requests without delay after an appropriate investigation.
If we cannot confirm that the requester is the owner of the information, we cannot respond to such request.
7. Complaints and Consultation
IFTA will make endeavor to properly and promptly process complaints concerning the handling of personal information.
IFTA will endeavor to establish the necessary systems for achieving the purpose referred to in the preceding paragraph.
■ Inquiries concerning protection of personal information
General Foundation International Flowers and Greens Therapy Association
hanasera@jcom.zaq.ne.jp
8. Change of the Contents of this Policy
The contents of this policy are subject to change. After the policy is changed, it will become effective from the time it is posted on this site.
Established on April 1, 2017
Katsuko Aoyama, Chairman
General Foundation, International Flowers and Greens Therapy Association
Confirmation of consent to the course regulations and privacy policy *required
Agree to the course regulations and privacy policy and proceed
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