THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE

Therapeutic horticulture is the participation in horticultural activities facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist or other professionals with training in the use of horticulture as a therapeutic modality to support programme goals. Therapeutic horticulture is the process through which participants enhance their well-being through active or passive involvement in plant and plant-related activities.
– American Horticultural Therapy Association

 

Our therapeutic horticulture programmes aim to improve multiple aspects of wellness of participants through gardening and plant-related activities. The programmes support therapeutic goals that we set together with the treatment team and participants prior to commencement. Our programmes are in compliance with standards of practice from the American Horticultural Therapy Association.

While introducing participants to gardening techniques and guiding them through the process of nurturing plants, therapeutic horticulture also promotes therapeutic benefits such as sensory stimulation, stress reduction, improved fine and gross motor skills, as well as social interaction. The focus in therapeutic horticulture is not the end product, but the therapeutic and rehabilitative process.

Client populations we have served:

  • Residents in nursing homes
  • Older adults with dementia
  • Stroke patients
  • Young adults with autism
  • College students experiencing stress, depression and/or anxiety
  • People affected by cancer
  • Individuals in addiction recovery
  • Patients in psychiatric facilities
  • Youths at risk
  • Adults experiencing social isolation
  • and more

About the facilitator: All therapeutic horticulture programmes are facilitated by Tham Siang Yu, who has a Certificate in Horticultural Therapy from the University of Florida, a program accredited by the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA). Siang Yu has completed a 480-hour internship supervised by a registered horticultural therapist and has over 700 hours of direct client experience (as of 2023). She takes a trauma-informed and recovery-oriented approach in her work. Sessions can be conducted in English or Mandarin.

 

“Thank you so much for this program, I enjoyed my experience a lot! I look forward to my Thursday mornings and my day always was off to a great start! I was more productive and my mood was uplifted through the day following TH sessions. So grateful for fellow plant lovers that are also passionate about mental health.” “I want to thank you for hosting the workshops which have been a lasting impact, and I’m truly grateful.”
“This program really helped me survive this semester – I am so grateful for this opportunity and would recommend it to everyone I know. Thank you for the experience.” “Siang Yu is very calm and her love for plants and nature is infectious. I enjoyed the way she weaves stories and cool facts about plants into the session so effortlessly. I also got to meet and chat with wonderful people in the group. She created a space of trust, comfort and fun.”
“I learned so much about plants from Siang Yu…and it’s not just about how to plant them, but also how they grow, their cultural significance, how similar we are, etc. I pay more attention to plants wherever I go now. She truly opened my eyes to nature and she is a one of a kind facilitator.”   “Siang Yu has a way of listening and communicating that makes you feel supported. I could tell that she was really listening and I did not feel judged by whatever I said. My hibiscus is growing so tall and pretty. So therapeutic!”

Programmes are currently offered via referrals and requests by organisations only. We offer regular (weekly) therapeutic horticulture programmes and one-off sessions. Please contact us to schedule a meeting. If you would like to receive updates on our events and programmes, please join our mailing list.

 

By Wind and Wave is committed to participating in evidence-based research to promote the benefits of therapeutic horticulture and horticultural therapy. We are informed about research protocols and support ethical and non-biased research. New findings will be documented through our writings.

 

FAQ

Yes, and no! Therapeutic horticulture uses gardening and other plant-related activities to support the therapeutic needs of participants. These needs can be physiological, cognitive, psychological, emotional, and/or social.
Our activities are adapted for all abilities and specifically designed to promote the therapeutic benefits of horticulture and being in a group setting.

Me too! Therapeutic horticulture is facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist or other professional with training in using horticulture as a therapeutic modality. We design activities to maximise opportunities to meet specific therapeutic needs of our participants with an identified disability, illness, or life circumstance requiring services.

We enjoy a challenge, but we mostly work with plants that are suited for our climate and environment in Singapore. Just like how humans thrive in environments that meet their needs, so do plants.

Absolutely. Our activities are adapted for all abilities.

No. Therapeutic horticulture benefits participants with an identified disability, illness, or life circumstance requiring services. We also serve participants experiencing trauma, grief, caregiver stress, social isolation, etc.

All levels of gardening skills are welcome!

We are currently working on programmes that are open to the public. If you belong to an organisation and would like to engage us to start a programme, please reach out to us!

Therapeutic horticulture promotes the benefits of plant interaction, but we neither diagnose nor treat diagnoses. Horticultural therapy involves a deeper therapeutic process, and is led by a registered horticultural therapist who has undergone specialized training and can provide therapy services in the context of an established treatment, rehabilitation, or vocational plan.
We do, however, partner with therapists and other health professionals with appropriate training and qualifications to ensure client safety.