Growing Impact: Therapeutic Horticulture Graduate Stories

What does therapeutic horticulture look like in practice? Over the next several months, we’ll be featuring recent graduates of the Hybrid Certificate in Therapeutic Horticulture (HCTH) program and sharing the stories behind their practicum projects. From mental health and community wellness to education and rehabilitation, these projects demonstrate the many ways people are using plants, gardens, and nature to support health, healing, and human connection. We hope you’ll enjoy learning about the inspiring work our graduates are bringing to their communities.

Full name: Nerissa Behrmann

Case Manager and Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Neuro Community Care nbehrmann@neurocc.com, https://www.neurocc.com/

Tell us a bit about yourself.

As a child, I was fortunate to spend time with my great grandparents on their farm. My great-grandmother took great pride in her flower gardens, and we spent many hours together observing, talking about, and caring for her plants through pruning and tending the beds. Those early experiences fostered a lasting appreciation and love of gardening that continued into adulthood. Over time, I came to recognize that these formative experiences were more than personal memories; they set the foundation for a developing professional passion. Discovering through the North Carolina Botanical Garden and NC State Extension that gardening could be integrated into therapeutic approaches was especially meaningful, as it opened my eyes to horticulture as a powerful tool to support individual goals and overall well-being. In addition, I have personally used gardening as a form of stress management and self-care, which has deepened my appreciation for its restorative benefits and strengthened my commitment to incorporating it into my professional work.

Through my education and professional experience as a Developmental Therapist and Case Manager, I have developed a strong passion for supporting individuals with cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities in ways that are individualized, meaningful, and engaging. I have found that providing services within an individual’s most natural environment, while incorporating activities based on their personal interests and strengths, greatly increases participation, motivation, and overall engagement. This approach has allowed me to think creatively and “outside the box” when collaborating to integrate clinical therapy goals into individualized, enjoyable, functional activities that promote growth, independence, confidence, and quality of life. My work is grounded in person-centered support, collaboration, and creating therapeutic experiences that are both purposeful and rewarding for everyone.

What was the focus of your practicum, and how did you come to choose this direction?

My practicum focused on supporting as a team, both caregivers and individuals living with acquired brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological conditions. In working closely with caregivers and veterans specifically, I recognized the importance of strengthening relationships beyond daily care responsibilities by incorporating shared, enjoyable activities. I had previously started integrating gardening and horticulture-based experiences in a variety of forms, from small indoor plant care to outdoor garden activities. These nature-based interventions were well received and quickly became a requested area of interest among participants. Many caregivers and veterans shared that horticulture is not only a meaningful shared interest, but also a valued strategy for stress management and enhancing overall quality of life.

Why do you think a garden or nature-based program resonates with your particular group?

Veterans and individuals living with a range of physical and cognitive disabilities, along with their caregivers—often spouses, parents, siblings or children—frequently resonate strongly with horticulture-based, nature-centered programming because it offers both familiarity and purpose in a non-clinical, grounding way. Many participants connect gardening to earlier life experiences such as service, family traditions, or time spent outdoors, which can make the activity feel meaningful and personally relevant rather than therapeutic in an abstract sense. For caregivers and veterans alike, it also creates a shared space to engage in something restorative together, outside of caregiving roles and daily stressors.

Several elements of horticulture tend to be especially impactful for this group. The structure and routine of plant care can support cognitive organization, memory, and a sense of stability, which is particularly beneficial for individuals managing neurological conditions or trauma-related symptoms. The sensory aspects—such as soil texture, plant fragrance, visual growth, and seasonal changes—can be grounding and regulating, helping support emotional balance and attention. Seasonality also introduces natural pacing and anticipation, which can foster patience and a sense of continuity over time.

Horticulture also offers a gentle way to reconnect with a sense of responsibility in a way that feels manageable and meaningful. Caring for a plant or tending a small garden gives someone something real and visible to nurture and watch grow, which can naturally build confidence and a sense of accomplishment. For many veterans and caregivers, gardening also brings back personal memories and familiar connections—whether that’s time spent outdoors during military service, family traditions, or past work and life experiences. These connections often make the activity feel more personal and engaging right away.

More than anything, nature-based activities create a shared space where both veterans and caregivers can participate side by side. It’s flexible, calming, and strengths-based, offering moments of connection, purpose, and enjoyment while also supporting everyday well-being in a very real and approachable way.

Can you share a moment that felt especially meaningful or surprising in your work?

On the most basic level, I have observed firsthand how having one small plant on a bedside table or window sill often becomes a source of routine, conversation, and calm for someone who may otherwise feel isolated.

How can people support you or the work you do in the community?

As we develop this new support program for caregivers and individuals with disabilities, I am excited to build meaningful partnerships within the community and connect with local individuals, groups, and organizations who share this vision. I will help provide virtual supports as well as in person opportunities as the program grows within the community. There are many ways to get involved, whether through donating plants or gardening supplies, volunteering time, sponsoring participants, or collaborating as a community partner. By working together and making use of local natural resources, we can expand access to nature-based activities that help reduce isolation, build confidence, and enhance overall well-being for those we serve.