About the presenter

Patty has over 35 years of experience as a teacher and mental health counselor

in both the public and private sector. At the age of 50, she decided to pursue

training to be a horticultural therapist where she could combine her knowledge of human development with an understanding of how nature and horticulture can affect people’s well being.

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Her clients ranged from abused and neglected children to frail elders living with

dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

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In addition, she became the first president of the non-profit, Friends of the

Portland Memory Garden, whose mission is to maintain and support the Memory Garden as a safe and restorative environment for all who visit it, but in particular for elders living with memory disorders, and to provide respite and educational activities for caregivers.

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In this presentation, she will give a brief overview about the field and practice of

horticultural therapy. The final part is a video about the Portland Memory Garden that was shown at an awards ceremony where the garden won the Therapeutic Garden of Year from the American Horticultural Therapy Association.

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HORTICULTURAL THERAPY

Achieving Therapeutic Goals

Through Connection with Plants and Nature

“… I have seen in my patients the restorative and healing powers of nature and gardens, even for those who are deeply disabled neurologically. In many cases, gardens and nature are more powerful than any medication.”

- Dr. Oliver Sacks

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lants & nature as a treatment modality?

The Healing Power of Plants & Nature

What is Horticultural Therapy (HT)?

“…the engagement of a client in horticultural activities facilitated by a trained therapist to achieve specific and documented treatment goals.”

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HT Program Focus:

Rehabilitative focus: �Recovery from illness or injury�

• Improve stamina
• Improve strength & balance
• Improve self-esteem

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Populations may include:

• Stroke survivors
• People with traumatic brain injury
• Those recovering from physical trauma

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Vocational focus:�Provide productive and social skills�

• Practice proper use of tools
• Improve stamina & strength

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Populations may include:

• People with developmental disabilities
• Legal offenders
• Those with intellectual disabilities

Vocational focus:��

• Build team work & leadership skills
• Foster sense of inclusion
• Enhance self-esteem
• Mitigate anxiety & depression
• Build problem-solving skills
• Practice staying on-task

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Psychosocial/Emotional Focus:

• Provide choices
• Build camaraderie
• Increase sense of self- confidence

Populations may include:

• Those living with dementia
• Caregivers
• Refugees
• People with PTSD

Enhance quality of life and social interaction

Psychosocial/Emotional focus:

• Reduce feelings of isolation
• Increase a sense of joy and hope
• Mitigate depression

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Horticultural Therapists

A qualified horticultural therapist is someone who is professionally registered with the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) and is designated by the professional credential HTR, Horticultural Therapist-Registered. �

Horticultural Therapy Education

A bachelor’s degree in horticultural therapy or the minimum of a bachelor’s degree with additional coursework in plant science, human science, and horticultural therapy is required for professional registration. A required 480-hour internship completes the multi-disciplinary training. 

“There is in us a deeply seated response to the natural universe, which is part of our humanity. Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” �– Rachel Carson.�