From Soil to Soul: the art and science of horticultural therapy careers with Guinevere Kern

If you've ever felt the calming influence of spending time surrounded by nature, then you might be familiar with the notion of horticultural therapy. It can be a pretty profound experience, and not just anecdotally. There are lots of studies that support the healing powers of nature.

In this episode, we talk with Guinevere Kern, a horticultural therapy practitioner based in Guelph, Ontario. Guinevere is an active member of the American Horticultural Therapy Association, as well as the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association, where she also sits on the Education Committee. We explore horticultural therapy as a career and the transformative power plants can have on physical, emotional and mental wellness.

Whether you're a seasoned landscaper looking for a new direction or someone fascinated by the idea of helping others through the therapeutic magic of plants, this episode is for you.

Resources
Episode Transcription
Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association
Homewood Health Care Centre
American Horticultural Therapy Association
Guelph Enabling Garden
The Lancet
Roger Ulrich, PhD 1984 Study
Landscape Ontario GROW Program
Ontario Parks Association full day course
Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen
Additional resources from LO:
The therapeutic value of horticulture
The healing power of horticulture