What is horticultural
therapy?
Horticultural Therapy and Therapeutic Horticulture both use plants, gardens and nature-based activities and are led by workers with skills in both horticulture and working with people.
Therapeutic Horticulture activities are general in nature and are designed to enhance physical, psychological and social well-being for people from a range of different backgrounds.
Horticultural Therapy activities are designed by a therapist according to a defined treatment plan, with specific goals to meet the needs of people living with a particular problem.
Occupational Therapy focuses on the everyday activities (occupations) people want and need to do in their daily life. As an Occupational Therapist Susan can adapt activities and assist with environmental modifications so everyone can participate.
WHO CAN BENEFIT
Research shows that Horticultural Therapy has a variety of benefits, including improving mental health, increasing physical activity, learning new skills and promoting social interaction.
Recovery from illness, injury or addiction
Maintaining mobility and independence as you age
Coping with stress, anxiety, depression and mental illness
Managing transitions like grief and loss, refugees and migrants, carers
Healing from trauma, PTSD
Living with progressive conditions – dementia, palliative care
About Susan
Susan Stevens is an Occupational Therapist with over 30 years’ experience across a range of health, disability and human service settings in Toowoomba and the Darling downs.
She has specialist skills in rehabilitation, aged care and mental health, postgraduate qualifications in Counselling and Community Work and certificates in Training and Assessment, Horticulture, and Garden Design.
Susan is a full member of Therapeutic Horticulture Australia; she is a keen home gardener and has volunteered with multiple community gardening projects.
Services
Therapy
Services may be delivered directly through therapist-facilitated programs or via consultation and recommendations to service providers or carers.
Let’s Grow aims to make gardening and nature accessible for anyone interested.
From a patio pot of herbs to a backyard veggie patch; or a bedside bouquet to forest bathing in a park - experiences are tailored to meet people’s needs and can be provided for individuals or groups.
Alternatively, ways to bring nature indoors can be restorative for people who cannot leave their home.
Therapeutic Garden Design
Garden design advice – related to access and ease of mobility, inclusion of beneficial sensory features, suggestions for specific challenges such as low vision, dementia or PTSD.
Get in touch
Susan would love to hear from anyone interested in Let’s Grow Horticultural Therapy and how we could work together.
In ‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett the robin shows Mary the way into the garden, representing hope, renewal and the healing power of nature.