Horticultural Therapy Programs in Britain and the United States1

Abstract

Abstract A general review of the literature from Great Britain and the United States indicates that the use of horticulture for therapy is not new (3). Why horticulture was and still is unusually popular as a therapeutic medium is not clear; articles from the paraprofessional journals claim the therapeutic benefit is due to an inherent relationship between people and plants, although little assessment of this claim is discussed. However, horticultural therapy has achieved a degree of “professional status” through the establishment of courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and by the National Council for Therapy and Rehabilitation Through Horticulture (NCTRH), based on the education and/or expertise of the horticultural therapist (Grades HTT, HTR, HTM), which was recognized by the United States Civil Service. The recent literature has mentioned interest and on-going projects from 5 main groups: the long-term caring institutions, volunteer groups, agencies for horticultural therapy, various universities, and centers of horticultural activity such as arboreta. The NCTRH has been largely responsible for coordinating information through newsletters sent to some 400 members and organizations.