What Is Horticulture Therapy?

As more studies reveal the healing properties of the natural world, plant-based therapies have become more popular. Horticulture therapy has existed in some form for more than 4,000 years.
Many civilizations, including the Ancient Egyptians and Persians, cultivated gardens to induce a calm emotional state.

The therapeutic benefits of horticulture were first noted in the 18th century by Dr. Benjamin Rush. In his book, Medical Inquiries and Observations Upon Diseases of the Mind, he noted that patients who spent time in the garden exhibited fewer psychotic disturbances. Later research has found that soil contains bacteria that provide the same mood uplifting benefits as some antidepressants.

Horticulture therapy was eventually applied to individuals with physical ailments, including injured war veterans. Today, the approach treats behavioral, physical, and psychological conditions.

Learning to care for plants can increase an individual’s self-esteem and provide a sense of purpose. Studies have shown that growing edible plants can reduce negative behaviors in children. Horticulture therapy provides similar outcomes for people with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Horticulture therapy can also encourage physical activities suitable for rehabilitation.

While gardening does have some stress-relieving properties, this is distinct from therapeutic horticulture. Gardens suitable for conducting horticulture therapy are purposefully designed to create a sense of peace and security. This is achieved with walkable paths, strong boundaries, and accessible raised plant beds. Plants are selected for their color and are arranged in a visually pleasing manner.

A trained horticulture therapist or botanical specialist will lead a session. During this time, participants learn how to interact and care for the plants and can experience the garden with all of their senses.

For this reason, many therapeutic gardens include fragrant and edible plants or water features that produce calming sounds. To eliminate negative triggers or associations, therapy gardens do not contain painful or poisonous plants. Likewise, gardens used for horticultural therapy do not contain harsh chemicals like pesticides or strong fertilizers.

Therapy gardens must also be accessible regardless of age or physical ability. For this reason, every path must be level, wide, and free from obstacles. These gardens usually have a predictable and easy-to-navigate layout. This is conducive to a sense of familiarity and safety. Gardens dedicated to supporting patients with dementia and other cognitive disorders are designed to prevent spatial disorientation.

Distinct sections of the garden are defined with fencing or colorful pathways. Memory gardens, a sub-type of horticulture therapy, contain plants and features that gently trigger memories. For example, the garden may contain a replica of a building or structure that was commonplace in the past. Other important features include ample shade and resting areas. The garden must also thrive in all four seasons. This can be achieved through a mix of evergreen and annual plant varieties.

Social interaction is also an essential aspect of a horticultural therapy program. Through a shared garden, community members or residential treatment participants have the chance to work together towards a common goal. This activity can promote a sense of belonging and unity while reducing isolation amongst individuals.

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Technology Addiction – A Growing Problem Amongst Teens

Unlike previous generations, youth today have access to smart devices and the internet. While these advances in technology have made it easier for individuals to communicate and learn about the world, psychologists are also concerned about the harmful effects of too much exposure on developing brains. In 2019, a survey found that seven out of 10 high school students met the criteria for technology addiction.

There is some evidence that the overuse of technology can weaken focus and concentration by reducing grey matter in the brain. The light emitted from smart devices can affect the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep patterns. This can cause disorders like insomnia. Other studies have linked technology overuse to a loss of impulse control and aggressive behaviors.

As with other addictions, technology addiction is defined by the degree that the compulsive behavior affects an individual’s ability to live a full, healthy life. Since many schools use technology in their curriculum, it is not uncommon for young people to spend upwards of 7 hours on their devices every day. For this reason, screen time hours are not the only indicator of technology addiction.

Instead, psychologists look for changes in an individual’s mood, sleeping, or eating cycles to determine if their technology use is unhealthy. For example, youth preoccupied with a digital activity, like social media or gaming, may neglect their hygiene or refuse to interact with friends or family members. If technology overuse also coincides with dropped academic performance or the inability to maintain relationships, it can also indicate an addiction.

Researchers believe that some types of internet activities, especially social media, create a neural reward cycle similar to those found in substance use addictions. Young people feel a hit of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which results in a pleasurable sensation when a post is liked or shared.

While people do not develop a tolerance as with other drugs, the attraction to social media and the internet can grow. If the young person is also dealing with other problems, like mental illness or bullying, technology can become a convenient escape from the outside world. In this way, technology addiction can cause young people to become withdrawn. This is a risk factor for other mental health conditions like depression.

Caregivers and family members may be the first to notice that a young person has developed a technology addiction. Some common symptoms include strong emotional reactions when access to technology is cut off, loss of interest in non-technology-related activities, and shame over the amount of time spent online.

Technology addiction can be treated in several ways. For milder addictions, raising awareness of device use can cause young people to adapt their behavior. For example, some apps send notifications when users have spent a certain amount of time scrolling on their phones. This reminder is enough for many young people to put down their phones and move on to another activity.

For more serious cases, young people may benefit from a residential treatment program specializing in digital detoxes. Most programs will reduce or eliminate the youth’s access to technology and introduce nature-based or creative activities. Participants may also receive individual and group counseling to address underlying mental health issues.

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Technology Addiction – What It Is and How It Manifests

The world today is more reliant on technology than ever before. Smartphones, tablets, and personal computers are ubiquitous across the United States. While many people have a positive relationship with technology, using it to work, learn, or connect with their loved ones, others have an unhealthy relationship with it. These are the people who are almost always online, inhibiting their abilities to work, learn, or even form meaningful connections in the real world. These people may have a technology addiction.

Technology addiction is the obsessive use of technology and the Internet to the point of dependency. The people affected cannot limit their usage. While the American Psychiatric Association does not officially recognize the disorder (it is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM), countries such as China, Japan, Italy, and Australia do officially recognize it. Some such as China have even acknowledged the scale of the problem to the point of limiting the number of hours children can play video games, in this case to three hours a week.

Technology addiction manifests in various ways. For example, a person may be addicted to online gaming or gambling. They may also spend long hours surfing the Internet, interacting on social media, shopping online, or watching sexually explicit content.

A person addicted to technology will exhibit some of the following signs: difficulty sleeping, compulsively checking their phones, withdrawing from their friends and family, losing track of time, using technology when it is dangerous such as when driving, and neglecting academic, professional, or family responsibilities. The addiction may cause the affected person to have mood swings whenever they are away from technology. They feel strong urges to indulge so as to improve their mood or experience pleasure. This is because technology, while not like alcohol, has the same impact on the brain.

Many technology companies today deliberately design their products to trigger users’ brains to release dopamine, a feel-good chemical. For example, when a person gets a like on social media, wins a level in a video game, or places a winning wager while gambling online, their brain releases dopamine, making them feel good. With repetitive indulgence, users grow so reliant on technology that their brains cannot produce dopamine normally, causing them to feel down whenever they are not engaged with it. And when they again use technology, their brains release dopamine, lifting their moods. This unhealthy reliance is a defining characteristic of addiction.

If one of your loved ones has a technology addiction, talk to them about getting help. They may deny that they have a problem or get defensive. This is quite common with people who have addictions. They do not accept the gravity of the problem. However, if they do not get help, their quality of life can further deteriorate.

Encourage your loved one to speak to a clinical specialist who will evaluate them, give an accurate diagnosis, and prescribe treatment. Sometimes, the addiction may be a symptom of another problem such as depression, anxiety, or a psychiatric condition like bipolar disorder. If this is the case, the psychiatrist will provide adequate guidance. If it is just a technology addiction, the clinical professional may recommend a therapy program to overcome it.

For parents with children exposed to technology, it is critical that they take proactive steps to prevent their children from developing technology addictions. They can explain to them the harmful effects of using technology too much and set limits on screen time, even declaring certain places as technology free zones like the dinner table. To reinforce this message, though, the parents themselves must lead by example.

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The Role of a Therapeutic Consultant

If supporting a child’s mental health is a team effort, the therapeutic consultant can be considered the coach. Also known as a behavioral health consultant or educational consultant, a therapeutic consultant can play an important role for anyone considering treatment for an addiction or mental health issue. The field of mental health is vast, complex, and difficult to navigate for non-professionals. A skilled therapeutic consultant can help identify the best program to address a specific problem and help clients avoid common mistakes.

A therapeutic consultant works one-on-one with clients to help them identify the appropriate treatment provider. Through regular visits to treatment programs, as well as through communication and collaboration with treatment professionals, consultants gain a broad understanding of the programs, services, and facilities available locally and nationwide.

Additionally, they conduct a thorough review of each client’s situation, including relevant psychological testing and evaluations, to acquire a clear picture of the client’s unique needs. When necessary, consultants conduct their own evaluations for additional information. Relying on their own research and the input from treatment professionals, a skilled consultant can advise families as they engage in the high-stakes process of choosing a facility and completing the placement process.

To ensure their objectivity, therapeutic consultants must receive no compensation from programs or schools, nor should they maintain affiliation with any particular program. Their credibility lies in the fact that they are third parties with no motive or incentive to recommend specific facilities or services. Rather, they are acting in the best interest of their client to help identify services best aligned with the individual and family’s needs.

For families researching treatment for a child, a therapeutic consultant can support the added challenge of preventing lengthy interruptions to the child’s education. Before placement, a consultant will investigate the wrap-around services a program may offer, including the availability of in-home placement or day treatment. Through interviews of school personnel as well as explorations of family dynamics, the consultant can help families choose the optimal treatment facility. During treatment, the consultant can also act as a liaison between the child’s school and facility and facilitate a smooth transition when treatment is complete.

Many treatment facilities require that families work with a therapeutic consultant to ensure the family makes an informed, objective choice. Even when not required by the program, a consultant is a wise choice for families who are in the middle of a crisis, as stress can have a negative impact on critical thinking and decision-making processes.

Beyond technical guidance and advocacy, consultants can provide valuable emotional support for families. Because they often have backgrounds in counseling, special education, or behavioral health, consultants possess the tools to communicate effectively with families during stressful and emotional situations.

Many also have specific training and experience with substance use disorder and the latest developments in treatment interventions. Often, they maintain membership in professional organizations such as the Therapeutic Consulting Association (TCA) or the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), which uphold standards of professionalism and integrity for consultants and referring professionals.

Through advocacy on behalf of families and adolescents, a therapeutic consultant can maximize a young person’s odds of success in a treatment program. Additionally, they can save parents money by helping them avoid costly mistakes such as failed treatment.