RESEARCH

The Use of Horticulture in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in a Private Practice Setting

The paper proposes using gardening activities alongside EMDR therapy to treat PTSD in a private practice setting. While more research is needed, the author suggests this combined approach could help patients process trauma in a calming environment and develop a stronger sense of safety and present-moment awareness.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma

Setting or Context: Hospitals/Clinics

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Stress Management

Allied Profession Intersections: Counselling

Type of Activity: Indoor Plant Care, Outdoor Gardening, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Standardized Assessment Tools

Access: Free

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Summary

This paper explores how using gardening and plant-related activities can help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a private therapy setting. The author suggests combining hands-on gardening tasks with a therapy technique called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The idea is that working with plants can create a calming, safe environment for patients to process traumatic memories. The paper explains how being around nature, even just looking at plants, can reduce stress and improve mood. It also describes how gardening activities can help patients feel more grounded in the present moment.

The author proposes a treatment plan that incorporates gardening into EMDR therapy sessions. This involves having patients pot plants, care for them, and use visualization techniques to create a “safe space” in their mind connected to the gardening experience. The therapist then guides the patient through processing traumatic memories while staying connected to this safe, plant-based mental image. The goal is to help patients separate past traumas from their present reality and develop a more positive self-narrative.

Link

Lorber, H. Z. (2011). The Use of Horticulture in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in a Private Practice Setting. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, 21(1), 18–29

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