Health through Gardening
"He who cultivates a garden & brings to perfection flowers & fruits,
cultivates & advances at the same time his own nature."*
"He who cultivates a garden & brings to perfection flowers & fruits,
cultivates & advances at the same time his own nature."*
In Yer Hands, LLC provides creative workshops, individual, and group occupational therapy, using gardening and other nature-based activities to improve health, well-being, functional movement and cognition, and social interaction.
Workshops enable participants to create a small seasonal garden or other nature-based project while socializing and learning. Workshops are being conducted virtually during the 2020 pandemic.
Consultation to facilities, wellness directors, therapy providers, and other healthcare staff advises on ways to incorporate nature into daily routines and therapy sessions.
As an experienced educator, Catherine provides lectures and workshops for occupational therapy and other healthcare training programs.
Gardening and contact with nature have been shown to have a positive effect on health outcomes for most people, including those who are aging and/or living with mental health challenges. Several related publications are linked to this website under Resources.
The addition of nature-based programming can impact a community's appeal to residents, consumers, and their loved ones.
Catherine "Kate" Colucci is a nationally certified and New Jersey Licensed Occupational Therapist (OT), Rutgers Certified Master Gardener, and experienced educator. Kate is the owner of In Yer Hands and provides all workshops, therapy and consultation.
Testimonials
From "The Buzz" ARC of Somerset County, July 2020
The agency hosted the first hybrid/virtual hands on gardening class as coordinated by Kate Colucci...In Yer Hands. Kate lead 8 separate groups of individuals through the process of planting herbs and veggies in a grow bag....Thank you Kate for this wonderful and therapeutic experience!
Kate shared her knowledge with my class of almost 30 occupational therapy assistant students regarding the therapeutic use of horticulture therapy. Her creativity regarding the thoughtful incorporation of nature and the evidence to support its use was both interesting and educational. Our students loved the discussion and even had the opportunity to practice some horticulture therapy themselves to experience the benefits! Her expertise to utilize horticulture and adapt it to meet the needs of an individual and support wellness therapeutically is remarkable.
Tiffany Benaroya, OTD, OTR
Rutgers, OT Assistant Program
*Quotation above: Erza Weston (1845)
Lecture at Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Copyright © 2020 IN YER HANDS, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder