Horticultural Therapists: Job Description, Education, Skills and Abilities, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview As many would say, horticultural therapists are type of therapists who combine their insatiable desire for plants and nature in general with their desire to help improve people's lives in various aspects. Most of the clients of the horticultural therapists include psychiatric patients, inmates, youth who are at risk, nursing home residents and those with variuos mental disabilities. Their primary mode of therapy is to use plants and planting activities such as gardening, plant care and nature appreciation to make these clients feel better. Clients under therapy may feel better as they develop a focus on doing a project, improve physical mobilities and develop their social skills. The clients who are under therapy may experience benefits such as feeling secure, important and responsible.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
If you wish to establish a carreer in becoming a horticultural therapist, prepare as early as high school by taking subject in Agriculture, Biology and Psychology. These subjects will hone your liking and provide basic knowledge on human minds and on the art and science of nature and plants.The minimum requirement to in the post secondary training is a possession of a Bachelor's degree in Horticultural Therapy which is being offered by several colleges in the U.S. After completing a required number of units in the chosen degree, a registration to be recognized as a professional from the AHTA or the American Horticultural Therapy Association can be obtained.
Skills and Abilities
It is a must that a horticultural therapist has a genuine concern to the welfare of the people. Empathy is an important value that he has to exude. Patience and being open minded would help them understand the needs of their clients more and be less judgemental of their conditions. The skills in doing therapy by way of nature and plant related activities should be highly developed.
Teaching skills are necessary as they will be continuously teaching their clients on how to get well with the use of the activity therapy such as growing plants, gardening, nature imagery, and nature appreciation.
Duties
Usually, horticultural therapists work as part of the health team which include the doctors, the nurses, physical therapists and dieticians as well as the social workers. They work directly with clients. They first assess the needs and the capabilities of the clients physically and psychologically and coordinate their plans with the other health care team members. After the coordination, they will implement the therapy as needed and as desired by the clients as part of their treatment plan. The activities may include taking care of a botanical garden, working in greenhouses, creating products out of the garden supplies and materials such as making te and flower art, as well as selling new seeds and plants and other products made. A horticultural therapist will reassess then as to whether the goals of the therapy has been met or not, and afterwards will recommend other interventions as appropriate.
Earnings and Job Outlook
The salary for a horticultural therapists starts from from 20,000 U.S. dollars to 31,000 U.S. dollars per annum. Those who have established a solid name in the profession and are being sought out by high profile clients may earn around 53,000 U.S. dollars and over in a year. The job outlook for this particular profession is expected to move as fast as the average for the other professions as more and more people are maintaining wellness through a more natural means both in an inpatient or in an outpatient settings.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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