Garden as Canvas: Therapeutic Metaphors in a Children's Garden (Le jardin pour toile : les métaphores thérapeutiques dans un jardin pour enfants)

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe garden is an inspired place, naturally imbued with metaphors of growth, healing, and renewal. Therapeutic work in the garden can help young clients discover healthy ways to cope with challenging feelings and behaviors such as anxiety and aggression, and learn self-regulation through the senses. Along with supporting literature and clinical examples, this article will present the story of the Children's Therapeutic Garden at a children's mental health center. This garden provides a welcoming, normalized environment for children and families who may otherwise feel stigmatized in a mental health setting.In this article, we share our innovative exploration in expanding the creative media we use to include nature and gardening in our work as art therapists. A variety of spin off topics emerged from our exploration and research, including caring for our environment, outdoor education, nutrition, healthy cooking and eating, and promotion of physical health, which are beyond the scope of this article. Rather we will focus on the innovation of using therapeutic metaphors in our work in the garden while doing art therapy with our clients. We will highlight artful garden interventions that facilitate the cooperative interactions of children and families, building stronger relationships, and improving communication.