關於園藝治療
About Horticultural Therapy
什麼是園藝治療
園藝治療是以人為本，而園藝活動則是以植物為本。
園藝活動是以植物的需要為依歸，故此瞭解植物的習性和料理技巧是非常重要。透過學習園藝知識和技巧、應用，讓植物能夠健康和茁壯地成長。
園藝治療是以服務對象的需要和能力為考慮重點，著重參與過程。園藝治療師首先會評估服務對象的能力和需要。依照個別情況，訂立目標，設計合適的園藝活動，達致治療效果。
園藝治療的好處
園藝治療最獨特的地方，它的介入媒體是植物。植物是擁有生命的，有其生命週期，能夠在服務物件悉心照料下成長。在治療小組完結後，服務對象可以繼續照料所栽種的植物，一起分享植物生長的狀況，讓園藝治療的療效可以持續下去。
當然，生命是有週期的，花開花落，有生亦有死，這也是人生的必然現象。園藝治療活動確能給予參與者親身的體驗和反思機會。
園藝治療的獨特之處
園藝治療最獨特的地方，它的介入媒體是植物。植物是擁有生命的，有其生命週期，能夠在服務物件悉心照料下成長。在治療小組完結後，服務對象可以繼續照料所栽種的植物，一起分享植物生長的狀況，讓園藝治療的療效可以持續下去。
當然，生命是有週期的，花開花落，有生亦有死，這也是人生的必然現象。園藝治療活動確能給予參與者親身的體驗和反思機會。
What is it?
It is defined by the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) as the engagement of a person in gardening and plant-based activities, facilitated by a trained therapist, to achieve specific therapeutic treatment goals. Direct contact with plants is believed to guide a person's focus away from stress enhancing their overall quality of life.The AHTA believes that horticultural therapy is an active process which occurs in the context of an established treatment plan
Advantage
First, horticulture could have emotional benefits, such as reducing stress, reducing psychiatric symptoms, stabilizing mood, and increasing the sense of tranquility, spirituality, and enjoyment. Second, it could help people to reduce fatigue and restore attention and cognitive ability. Third, it could increase self-efficacy, self-esteem, and quality of life.
Uniqueness
The medium is plants, which own lives. Through life cycles, participants are able to cater to their needs. In progress, they could appreciate the meaning of life and recognize the joyfulness of fostering lives. Last but not least, participants were able to conduct self rumination of life and death through planting.