PLANT HAPPINESS
  • Home
  • Horticultural Therapy Services
  • Reaching out
  • The Creative Side
  • About

About the owner:


Erin Lynn Backus, CRC, HTR 
    Our founder holds a Bachelor's Degree in Ornamental Horticulture from SUNY Cobleskill & a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from SUNY Buffalo. She is a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a Professionally 
Registered Horticultural Therapist. 

Erin works with people with substance use disorders, dual diagnosis and other mental health disorders in a garden setting in Connecticut.    
She is the the President of the American Horticultural Therapy Association as well as the President of the local northeast HT network. She is passionate about native plants and butterflies, as she volunteers in her spare time as the Butterfly consultant for the Pawling Nature Reserve in Pawling, NY. 



Picture
Picture

What is Horticultural Therapy you ask?



Horticultural Therapy
  is the participation in horticultural activities facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist to achieve specific goals within an established treatment, rehabilitation, or vocational plan. Horticultural therapy is an active process which occurs in the context of an established treatment plan where the process itself is considered the therapeutic activity rather than the end product.

​
Therapeutic Horticulture is the participation in horticultural activities facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist or other professionals with training in the use of horticulture as a therapeutic modality to support program goals. Therapeutic horticulture is the process through which participants enhance their well-being through active or passive involvement in plant and plant-related activities.
                    (American Horticultural Therapy Association, 2017)
       









Plant happiness

OUR MISSION:
  • To help individuals experience horticulture and the natural world at their own pace. 
  • To help individuals increase their quality of life. 
  • To increase awareness of Horticultural Therapy by advocating, educating and public awareness through outreach
Picture
As a Registered Horticultural Therapist Erin can offer varied programs, including therapeutic, social and vocational horticulture.

Check out the American Horticultural Therapy Association and the Northeast Horticultural Therapy Network websites for more information:

www.AHTA.org
www.nehorticulturaltherapy.net

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Horticultural Therapy Services
  • Reaching out
  • The Creative Side
  • About