Concurrent Sessions 8 | October 10, 2025 | 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM(PST)
TeleHT and Veteran Well-Being: Lessons from the THRIVE Pilot Study
Description
THRIVE is a horticultural therapy program at the New York Botanical Garden, designed in partnership with the Resilience and Wellness Center at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. This program fosters healing and connection for veterans and is based on the VAMC’s Whole Health model of care. This session will review the 2024 published pilot study entitled: Pilot study of telehealth delivery of horticultural therapy (TeleHT) as an acceptable intervention and in reducing suicide risk factors in veterans.
Presenters
Brooke Lorenzetti
Brooke Lorenzetti is a Garden Manager at the Edible Academy at The New York Botanical Garden, an instructor for the School of Professional Horticulture and the Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Programs at NYBG and works as a Therapeutic Horticulture Program Specialist at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. Brooke received her A.S. in Landscape Horticulture from Oakland Community College and her B.S. in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education from Michigan State University. She graduated from NYBG’s Horticulture Therapy Certificate Program in 2022.
Anne Meore LMSW, HTR
Anne Meore LMSW, HTR has been the Garden Projects Coordinator for Bon Secours Charity Health System’s “Garden of Hope,” at Good Samaritan Hospital since 2011. She holds advanced degrees in Guidance Counseling and Social Work, a certificate in Permaculture Design and a certificate in Horticultural Therapy from the NY Botanical Gardens. Anne is a licensed social worker in NY and a registered horticultural therapist with the American Horticultural Therapy Association. Anne is the Horticultural Therapy Program Coordinator for the THRIVE Program at NYBG (Therapeutic Horticulture and Rehabilitative Intervention for Veteran Engagement and has been an instructor in the Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate Program for NYBG since 2011.
A Swedish Model for Nature-Based Rehabilitation – Insights from 20 years of Treating Stress- Related Exhaustion
Description
In this session you will hear Marja Abrahamsson, lic. Physiotherapist, Emelie Rödström, lic. physiotherapist and horticultural therapist Hanna Berko give insights on the rehabilitation program, outcomes and success factors from 20 years of rehabilitation treatment with patients suffering from stress-related illness.
Presenters
Hanna Berko
Hanna Berko, gardener and horticultural therapy specialist with an interest for creating green spaces for recovery and wellbeing.
Marja Abrahamsson
Marja Abrahamsson, section manager and licensed physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience with working with nature-based therapy.
Emelie Rödström
Emelie Rödström, licensed psychotherapist and supervisor, specialized in relational affect focused therapy, interpersonal neurobiology and compassion focused therapy with over 20 years experience of social work, psychotherapy and supervision.
Strength in Numbers: Growing Impactful HT Programs Through Community Partnerships
Description
Community partnerships strengthen horticultural therapy programs through collaborative efforts to improve lives using evidence-based practices. This presentation will highlight building and sustaining community partnerships that foster impactful HT programs. Programmatic goals and objectives are community and individual needs based, aligning with partnering organization missions, while embracing student strengths and values. At-risk youth learn life skills and strategies for careers and wellness through hands-on horticultural activities that foster resilience, promote mindfulness, and improve social skills.
Presenter
Gayle Gratop, HTR
Gayle Gratop, HTR, is the Family, Consumer, and Health Sciences Agent for Coconino County with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. A Horticultural Therapy Institute graduate, Gayle was first introduced to HT during the pandemic and was immediately hooked. Her educational background includes degrees in environmental studies, horticulture, and agricultural education and her Extension programs focus on supporting farmer mental health, horticultural therapy, school gardens, and nutrition education. She is currently a doctoral student in the Interdisciplinary Health program at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and operates a backyard nursery specializing in native plant production.
|
