What is Horticultural Therapy?
“We may think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it’s our garden that is really nurturing us.”
AHTA Definition
The American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) was founded in 1973 and is still the only national US organization that (dare I say) cultivates the profession and practice of horticultural therapy.
Their definition of horticultural therapy (HT) is:
The participation in horticultural activities facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist to achieve specific goals within an established treatment, rehabilitation, or vocational plan. It is an active process that occurs in the context of an established treatment plan where the process itself is considered the therapeutic activity rather than the end product.
So... what does that mean?
HT Explained
Like many other activity therapies, HT is the modality in which a certain, predefined goal can be met. That goal can be anything from managing anxiety to regaining mobility to coping with PTSD. The possibilities are truly endless.
I often use an example of a stroke victim. A horticultural therapist would work in tandem with the patient, a physical therapist, and any other members of the care team, to create a plan that uses the garden to reach the goal of improved movement and mobility.
A person can use a gym or items around the house to work on grip strength, but they might also use a trowel with a modified handle.
There's nothing wrong with lifting weights for mobility and strength, but you'd be surprised by how carrying even a half-full watering can or maneuvering a hose affects your body. Are you starting to see a trend?
Katy's Definition
You might be able to tell, but I'm more casual than a "textbook" definition. I want to make it real and understandable for everyone.
I define horticultural therapy as:
The practice of using the garden and horticultural activities to reach a specific therapeutic goal.
Keep it simple, right? It seems like things are unnecessarily complicated these days (cue the "stay off my lawn" glare and cane waving).
So what kind of goals are we talking about?
Examples of HT Goals
A particular client may have any single or combination of physical, emotional, social, vocational, or mental goal(s).
The above example of the stroke victim regaining mobility would be an example of a physical goal.
Other goals, along with the type of patient that might make them, include:
Physical Goals
Standing longer (injury, elderly, disability)
Increase activity (weight loss, disability)
Improve or maintain motor skills (arthritis, disability, children)
Vocational Goals
Improve social skills (disability, ASD)
Give accurate change during a plant sale (children, disability)
Follow multi-step instructions (trauma, ASD, children)
Social Goals
Improve ability to make eye contact (disability, ASD, trauma)
Increase confidence starting conversations (trauma, ASD)
BONDING!
Emotional Goals
Reduce feelings of anxiety
Learn to manage negative emotions (PTSD, ASD, bullying)
Improve self-efficacy and confidence (elderly, mental disability)
Mental Goals
Improve or maintain memory (dementia, trauma, disability)
Increase focus (dementia, trauma, children, ASD)
Decrease depressive episodes (disability, trauma, bipolar disorder)
You might notice some goals could be used in multiple categories, or work hand-in-hand with another goal. For example, improving social skills would naturally fit under a social skill, but if the main focus of the patient is on getting a job, the goal could fit under multiple categories.
Many times, a patient has a specific goal but also reap the benefits in multiple areas.
Benefits of HT
Did you know that there are antidepressant properties in soil?
There is a bacterium named Mycobacterium vaccae that has been known to activate brain cells that produce serotonin. In other words, whether you struggle with anxiety or depression or not, the soil can make you happier and less stressed.
Horticultural therapy can:
Improve fine and gross motor skills
Stimulate memory
Teach cooperative skills
Provide a sense of pride and accomplishment
Decrease stress
Improve coordination
Relieve tension
Build relationships - old and new
Offer an "escape" or safe space
Equalize people, decrease competition
Improve immune system
There are SO many examples of what the garden can do for a person's overall wellbeing aside from the specific set goals.
Horticultural therapy isn't limited to a private garden. Take a trip to a park, or a botanical garden, or anywhere!
The garden is the ultimate tool that so many people don't know how to yield. The best part is that horticultural therapy isn't limited to a private garden. I love to take trips to the botanical gardens, or a park, or anywhere!
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