ABSTRACT
Horticultural therapy offers a unique approach to human service that is based on connecting with nature as well as acting on naturethrough gardening. While the modality of horticulture is unique, the professional uses standard treatment processes that are similar to other allied professions, routinely using assessment, goals and objectives, and documentation procedures in work with individuals and groups. Therapeutic horticulture, by contrast, aims to provide human service in a less clinical way and may not document specific outcomes for individual clients. Many horticultural therapy techniques and principles such as teaching, working with groups, leading, and therapeutic use of self cross boundaries of health care and human service professions. The similarities and distinctions between these are described in this chapter. Horticultural therapists routinely take advantage of the healing and care that transpire when people are in nature-based and plant-rich settings. Natural relationships and overlap occur among disciplines that apply nature-based therapy and horticultural therapy. Discussion includes commonalities, as well as those aspects that set horticultural therapy apart.
