Planting Hope in Loss and Grief: Self-Care Applications of Horticultural Therapy for Grief Caregivers in Taiwan

Abstract

In 2008, the Taiwan Association for Care and Counseling for Loss organized a workshop about Horticultural Therapy, conducted as a participatory action research (PAR). Nineteen grief caregivers participated. Specific goals were designed according to a survey of participant expectations and focus-group discussions. The workshop content included lectures and interactive activities. Results demonstrated that most participants displayed an increased awareness of personal loss and meaning in grief, indicating that horticulture and nature appreciation might relieve individual grief and stress. The report introduces the rationale, evolution, execution, and results of the program development.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank The Taiwan Association for Care and Counseling for Loss and Grief for sponsoring the workshop. Dr. Y. H. Wei, L. S. Wei, S. T. Fang, Y. Y. Liu, C. M. Lin, D. W. Huang, and S. T. Su are all acknowledged.

Notes

Note: HT = horticultural therapy; TACCL = Taiwan Association for Care and Counseling for Loss.

Note: N = 16.

*p < .01.