Recognition is spreading that exposure to the natural world is therapeutic. A growing body of research provides evidence for the benefits of spending time in green spaces, going outside, and even from bringing plants into our houses and schools. As a therapist I keep a number of plants in my office and often encourage my clients to look after a plant as a metaphor of caring for the self. I got the idea from Milton Erickson.
Back in the 1950s, the famous psychiatrist and hypnotherapist Milton Erickson, worked with a wealthy middle-aged woman who was depressed. She had no partner, no children and no friends, and the only people she regularly spoke to were her housekeeper and her maid. The only thing she showed any enthusiasm for was her love of African violets, and she had several at home. Erickson told her that he knew why she was depressed... she had a green thumb and it was going to waste.
Erickson then gave her a "prescription" to be followed to the letter. He said she had to ask the housekeeper to buy African violets in different colors, 50 pots, lots of soil, and 200 decorative pots to give as gifts. It's hard work to look after African violets. They require a particular amount of light and water, and she would even have to talk to her plants to make them thrive.
Knowing that she was active in her local church, Erickson then said she had to give a gift of an African violet every time a baby was born or baptized, every time a member of the church became sick, every time someone got engaged or married, and to donate pots of violets to every church bazaar. Along with the gift she was to write a note - an expression of happiness or condolences, depending on the circumstances.
Erickson discovered that because human beings universally love to tell stories, rather than pointing out what was wrong with his clients, it was preferable to present the client with insights in forms of stories, fairy tales, myths, or anecdotes. He would also give his clients quests - personal journeys where they would have to draw on their innate resources.
As a Human Givens therapist I have been trained in Ericksonian storytelling. The Human Givens framework states that we all have nine emotional needs, and if these are not met in balance we will experience stress and even mental illness. This lady, while financially secure, was lacking meaning and purpose, community, friendships, and personal agency.
Years later, when the woman died, the local paper said: “African Violet Queen of Milwaukee Dies… Mourned by Thousands.” and hundreds of people attended her funeral!
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