Green healing: helping others helping ourselves

There is something special about situations where vocation and avocation meet. Horticultural therapy is one of those. This paper builds on previous work by the author regarding the building of knowledge, counseling skills and additional eclectic skill sets applicable in horticultural therapy work. It also provides ways that therapists can explore and develop aspects of self-care to manage stress, avoid burnout and maintain focus in one's work. First, the basics are presented, the common factors, skills which provide foundations for positive therapeutic change and growth. Next, additional theoretical perspectives which are applicable in HT work are addressed. Lastly, treatment recommendations are provided to maximize benefits for clinical work with participants and for practitioner health and wellness.