Horticultural Therapy Program Profile

January 31, 2018

Our horticultural therapist, Bobbie Mabe, was featured in the 2018 winter newsletter, Horticultural Therapy Institute. Here is a sample of the article:

Horticultural Therapy has been a part of therapeutic programming at HopeWay since its inception. Along with beautifully landscaped green spaces and a nature walk through towering pines and deciduous trees, HopeWay’s campus houses a greenhouse and 8 large raised garden beds. I work to design programming that will encourage clients to engage in all of these spaces. Groups can often be found exploring the campus in search of natural materials to be used in projects such as fall wreaths and floral arrangements for the on site cafeteria.

Every therapeutic group at HopeWay engages in horticultural therapy activities on a regular basis, most participate several times a week. While most therapeutic sessions are group based, individual sessions are available to clients upon request. Group activities vary according the needs and interests of clients. The main educational goal of the horticultural therapy program is to offer clients knowledge that will allow them to transfer skills from HopeWay to home. Therapeutic goals include stress reduction, increased mindfulness, improved self-care and social skills as well as instilling a sense of hope for the future.

To read the full article, click HERE.