Planting the Seed for Healing
May 6, 2009
By Shamecca Bryant, Development Director and Christene Tashjian, HT Support Group Facilitator
Have you ever noticed how a 5-minute walk provides ease after a stressful day? How you feel relaxed when your hands are in the dirt planting flowers and vegetables? What is it about nature that helps us transcend our darkest moments or simply bring joy to our day?
For three years the Orange County Rape Crisis Center has used our support group program to envelop survivors in the positive energy that nature brings. Using the healing powers of plants, herbs, flower essences and herbal teas, survivors of sexual violence have learned a variety of techniques to help define their own healing process. The Center has long used support groups as a safe and therapeutic space for survivors to have their experiences validated and in 2006 with the help of two key volunteers the Center added a horticultural therapy support group.
Horticultural therapy, (HT), is the use of plants and plant-based materials by a horticultural therapist to help people connect with nature and to achieve goals related to their physical, mental and/or emotional well-being. Each participant has their own goals which could range from being able to discuss their trauma out loud to being able to start a loving intimate relationship. HT activities are used to introduce topics that most support groups address such as: trust, self-esteem, shame, fear, anger, grief, sexuality and happiness. For example, participants are taught the proper method to prune an over-grown plant and while pruning they are asked to name something they are pruning or cutting out of their life to help facilitate their healing process.
In the summer of 2005, local horticultural therapist and Center volunteer, Christene Tashjian, approached the Center about using horticultural therapy in our support group programs. Christene wrote a proposal to conduct a pilot horticultural therapy support group and was awarded a grant from Carolinas Chapter of American Horticultural Therapy Association. The pilot group was conducted by Christene and another long-term Center volunteer, Amy Eller who also showed interest in incorporating the healing power of nature with survivors of sexual violence. They conducted an HT support group in spring 2007 and summer 2008.
Participants of the summer 2008 group were so inspired by their growth that they planted a dish garden and made several lavender eye pillows and lavender facial toners to be sold at the Center's 21st annual holiday auction in November 2008. Proceeds from the sale of those items went directly to funding future HT support groups. The 300 auction guests were also all given lavender sashes to highlight the work of the horticultural therapy group and they helped to infuse the room with its refreshing, healing scent.
During the event Iris, one of the HT group participants, courageously detailed the account of her rape and the "life-changing experience" of the HT support group (The full text of her remarks can be found here.) The bravery of survivors to talk about their assault is a huge leap in their healing process and can provide support to so many others who have been too scared to tell their stories. After Iris's speech a room filled with teary-eyed guests was asked to pledge their support to the Center to continue the encouraging work of the horticulture therapy support group. The community pledged over $1,700 and Christene and Amy are starting another horticultural support group on May 6.
Thank you to all the Iris's who continue to break the silence around sexual violence, who encourage us to continue to educate others about sexual violence and who continue to provide hope to those survivors who have not yet told their story. We appreciate the support of the community in funding the HT support group program and the dedication of our volunteers, Christene and Amy, who continue to plant the seeds for healing in the hearts of so many.
If you would like to participate in an HT or other support group please email groups@ocrcc.org or call (919) 968-4647.
