Designing, Planting and Using a Therapeutic Garden

The benefits of therapeutic gardens, where users can interact with plants for the purpose of moving towards a specific outcome or meeting a particular need, is increasingly being recognized in healthcare and beyond. This book provides a practical guide for garden designers, horticulture professionals, landscape architects and therapeutic horticulturalists to create a successful and sustainable therapeutic garden space, whether from scratch or working with an existing site. An appreciation of how the garden will be used is an essential part of its design, so this book also outlines therapeutic activities and ideas, making it a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, counsellors, teachers, activity co-ordinators, social prescribers and occupational therapists who are looking to use horticulture in their therapeutic practice too.

Sue Jeffries is a freelance trainer and consultant for a range of public, private and charity sector organizations. She is an experienced Social and Therapeutic Horticulture practitioner who trained in Horticulture and Teaching at Myerscough College and in Garden Design at Reaseheath College. She also holds an award in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (Mental Ill Health Services) from Coventry University and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.