Tending to the Mind, Body, Spirit & Garden
What Is Horticultural Therapy?
Horticultural therapy is the process of connecting people with nature through plants and gardening in ways that are enjoyable and therapeutic. The desire for a connection to nature reflects a basic human need and many studies have shown the healing and restorative power of nature in our lives.
How Horticultural Therapy Improves Lives
The Horticultural Therapy Program at Life Enrichment Center offers opportunities and freedom to garden again! Through this program, we create opportunities for our participants to learn and grow with our garden, and nurture a connection to nature that enhances the quality of their lives.
Our Horticultural Therapy addresses physical and cognitive challenges with engaging, fun and creative activities that enable people to increase their level of functionality. The Life Enrichment’s Center encourages participants to have a more active lifestyle, and capitalizes on people’s abilities, instead of their disabilities.
Our Gardens & Gardeners:
Many of our participants have been gardeners at some point in their lives. Some of our participants have never gardened, but by learning a new skill they become empowered and their self-esteem grows! Our Horticultural Therapist, Beth, shares her passion for gardening and the wonders of nature with our participants by planning activities that are engaging, interesting, and just plain fun.
Best of all, our gardens and greenhouses are also safe and accessible – year round – so even if someone cannot garden at home, our Horticultural Therapist finds ways to enable them to safely garden while at the Life Enrichment Center. Our participants experience the benefits of gardening outside when it’s warm, or even in the greenhouses when it’s cold!
For more information about our Horticultural Therapy Program, or to schedule your own personalized visit, please call the Life Enrichment Center at 704-484-0405 (Shelby) or 704-739-4858 (Neisler Center).