What is Horticultural Therapy?

Do you find peace, serenity and satisfaction in your garden? These are the very qualities that make horticulture an effective therapeutic intervention.

Horticultural therapy is " an adaptable and instrumental therapy to help people of all ages and mental/physical functioning to improve and grow. Horticultural therapy develops the social, educational, psychological and physical adjustment of persons to nurture their body, mind and spirits. Horticultural therapists are specially educated and trained members of rehabilitation and therapy team who involve the patient in all phases of gardening" (AHTA 2002).

Horticultural Therapy as a Profession

In the late 1700's and early 1800's in the clinical settings of the United States, England and Spain, the understanding that gardens and horticulture work, the people-plant connection, began to evolve into an accepted approach to treatment of individuals with mental illness. In the 1900's after WWI and WWII, the physical benefits of horticulture were recognized as wounded soldiers came back home to the U.S. to recover.

In 1973, Horticulture Therapists joined together to form a professional organization now known as the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA). The AHTA is nearly 1000 members strong, representing over 15 countries.

Horticultural Therapy Groups at Skyland Trail

At Skyland Trail, horticultural therapy group are used to teach skills, enhance self-esteem and creativity, increase socialization and provide sensory stimulation. Activities include:

Southeastern Flower Show

Skyland Trail clients, with the assistance of garden volunteers, have been participants in the Southeastern Flower Show. The clients have had great success with their forced-bulb projects, winning many ribbons.

In 2001, Skyland Trail, along with the Shepherd Center, The Center for Rehabilitation Medicine at Piedmont Hospital and the Georgia-Alabama Therapy Chapter, constructed a therapy garden for education and display in the show. The exhibit won the Caroline Paullin Minnich Award for the garden that best creates an atmosphere of learning through discovery .

Bogs & Bonsai Group-Collaboration with the Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Bogs & Bonsai Group is unique opportunity for clients to learn about two specific areas of horticulture. The group alternates topics from week to week between Bonsai and Bogs. The bog group is co-led by a volunteer from Atlanta Botanical Garden and teaches clients about conservation and the unique adaptation of plants. The focus of the bonsai group is to learn about bonsai in different cultures and to practice the DBT (Dialectical Behavior Training) Skill of mindfulness.

"In the News"

Vocational Horticulture

Clients who are looking to return to work, volunteer or attend school have an opportunity to learn the skills necessary for their success in the vocational horticultural program. Clients work up to 4 hours per week in the garden honing job skills such as arriving on time, working with a supervisor, accepting and giving feedback, quality control and timeliness. These skills can be applied to any work or school situation as well as the pursuit of the field of horticulture.
Vocational Services

The Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Horticultural Therapy Internship Program

The horticultural therapy program at Skyland Trail is led by a horticultural therapist with a Master's Degree in Horticultural Therapy from Kansas State University and is registered at the HTM level with the American Horticultural Therapy Association and has over ten years experience. Under this leadership, Horticultural Therapy Internships are available to students throughout the country. Interns will be involved with all levels of the program and have opportunities to develop their own groups and special projects. A stipend may be available.

Horticultural Volunteers

Community volunteers help ensure the success of our horticulture therapy groups, generously sharing their time, knowledge, and materials. Master Gardeners, students and neighbors have found satisfaction in working with the clients in the gardens.