HORTICULTURAL THERAPY

Our team had a fantastic day with Cliff. We started it with a mindful stretch on the beach that relaxed our mind and body and opened our senses. We then proceeded to an adventurous walk in the forest, exploring secret hideaways and venturing the less-taken paths. We shared stories and learned how to incorporate nature into self-care. Being in nature itself is very therapeutic, and we cannot think of a better way to learn and experience improving our mental and physical well-being. We all need a day like that, and Cliff helped us to see how easy and possible we can make it happen!

J. Chen – Children, Parenting and Youth Programs, MOSAIC

Connecting with plants and nature is healing, grounding, restorative, and helps to strengthen resilience. Simple activities like gardening, or a walk out in nature can improve your mood, help restore attention and focus, be an effective way to promote recovery from burnout-related symptoms and emotional exhaustion. Spending time connecting with plants and nature is one important way we can all look after ourselves and feel better for it.

What is Horticultural Therapy?

Horticultural Therapy (HT) is a formal practice that uses plants, horticultural activities, the garden and nature’s landscape to promote well-being for its participants. HT sessions are administered by professionally trained horticultural therapists.

HT recognizes the positive benefits of the interaction between people, plants, and nature.
HT is goal orientated with defined outcomes and assessment procedures.
Research indicates that HT is proven to be beneficial in a variety of healthcare, community, educational, and rehabilitative settings.

What is Therapeutic Horticulture?

Therapeutic Horticulture (TH) is the purposeful use of plants and plant-related activities to promote health and wellness for an individual or group. Goals and defined outcomes for individual participants are not necessarily considered nor clinically documented.

Source: Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association

Who can benefit from HT/TH?

Anyone including

employees at risk for burnout
mental illness including depression, anxiety and substance dependency
at-risk children and youth
elderly
stroke, spinal chord and physical disabilities
traumatic brain injury
developmental disabilities
offender rehabilitation

I am employed as the Horticultural Therapist at Homewood Ravensview, a private 75-bed mental health, trauma and addiction facility offering evidence-based, medically-led, inpatient services for first responders, military, veterans, executives & professionals, adults, and young adults.

I can also provide unique presentations and sessions tailored to your group’s needs, that combine elements of Therapeutic Horticulture and Expressive Arts.

Email Cliff to request a presentation or session.