What is Therapeutic Horticulture? 

From the North Carolina Botanical Garden website: “Therapeutic horticulture (TH) is a professionally facilitated treatment intervention that uses plant and nature-based activities to work towards the psychological, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, and vocational goals of its participants.”

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And more information, adapted from the NC State Extension website:

Therapeutic horticulture is the broader umbrella under which many beneficial plant-based activities fall. It’s the use of gardens and plant-related activities to promote wellbeing, improve quality of life, and foster a sense of accomplishment.

 

Some characteristic that are applicable to outpatient setting can be:

• Goal-oriented but flexible: activities are designed to be beneficial, but the specific outcomes might be less rigorously defined or measured than in a clinical setting

• Focus on general benefits: participants might experience reduced stress, improved mood, increased physical activity, enhanced social connection, and a boost in self-esteem

• Accessible to many: It’s often accessible to a wide reange of individuals, regardless of specific challenges or diagnoses – or no diagnosis at all, but rather to enhance wellness

Essentially, therapeutic horticulture is about harnessing the inherent power of nature and gardening to simply help people experience greater well-being, without necessarily addressing a specific clinical need.

 

What does this look like in an outpatient counseling setting?

Great question! I am still exploring ways to implement TH interventions. Currently, I am offering one-time workshops with different themes and plant-based activities. Check out my “upcoming events” page to see current offerings.

 

Can I hire you to come in and provide a TH workshop in my workspace or home?

Absolutely! I’d love to talk about what your needs and hopes are, and to see how I can help. Send me a message here.