Gardening Teaches Us to Avoid Re-Traumatization
Taking care of plants that have experienced trauma also teaches us how to take care of people that have experienced trauma. For example, not too long ago I was taking care of a string of pearls whose once long and gorgeous, green tendrils were scorched, brown, and hanging by threads. The caretakers before me did not know what caused the damage, and despite their good intentions to rehab the plant, only made the situation worse. But by appraising the environment, the plant, and speaking to the caretakers I was able to figure out the cause: the string of pearls had been burnt up by the sun and then completely drowned in water. With that knowledge, it was easy knowing what I needed to do to help the plant without re-traumatizing it..
Knowing what causes trauma is, for either a person or a plant, is the first step to bringing it back to health. Because any well intentioned treatment plan, can cause more trauma if the cause is unknown.
5 Tips for caring for traumatized individuals
Ask questions before assuming you know the source of the trauma
Wait for an answer, details may trickle in over periods of time
Collect as much contextual information as possible
Create a trauma informed care treatment plan
Gain consent before treatment
This web site is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash