horticulture therapist with four mental health patients
Experience the tranquility and privacy of our peaceful, coastal enclave, while you receive the finest care available from our treatment experts – and enjoy holistic therapies, deluxe accommodations, and new activities along the way.
Mental Health and Wellness

Horticulture Therapy

Clinical studies evidence that gardening and horticultural therapy can considerably improve mental, emotional, and physical health.

Gardening has shown to be effective in improving mental health and reducing symptoms of mental disorders for the following:

Gardening therapy is seen to improve general emotional wellbeing and happiness across the board. It can even act as mental and physical therapy for the elderly.

Our perfect San Diego climate enables us to grow a broad variety of delicious vegetables and fruits.

At our Residential compound, we have a private, gated garden with large raised beds, wherein our veterans grow all types and varieties of seasonal vegetables and fruits – we even have hanging succulent boxes.

On Saturdays, during the gardening season, our therapist conducts an extended Gardening Therapy session in the garden, which our veterans enjoy, immensely. Veterans are welcome to be in the garden at other times, during the week, as well.

Along with all of the vital health benefits received through gardening, the wonderful added bonus is the actual fresh, ‘home-grown’ produce that our veterans get to eat and enjoy!

Horticulture Benefits

Mental Health Benefits

Studies have shown that horticulture can have a positive effect on mental health. One study found that horticultural therapy was effective in treating anxiety and depression. Horticulture can help to reduce stress levels, improve moods, and increase feelings of well-being. In some cases, it can even help people with more serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia. 

Physical Health Benefits

In addition to mental health benefits, horticulture also provides physical health benefits. Gardening can help to improve strength and flexibility. It can also reduce the risk of developing obesity, heart disease, and stroke. Horticulture also has the added benefit of providing fresh fruits and vegetables. These are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential for good health.

Get Help, Improve Your Mental Health

At Solara Mental Health, we understand the interconnected relationship between mental, emotional and physical wellness. We also know that mental health disorders can disrupt that relationship, which can result not only in physical symptoms, but also in increased feelings of distress and pain. As such, our program includes holistic therapies designed to restore mind-body wellness and promote lasting healing.

Our mental health treatment center offers a range of holistic therapies, including yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and now, horticulture therapy. These therapies can help a variety of people facing a variety of physical struggles, including (but not limited to) physical symptoms of anxiety, body image disorders, and trauma disorders. Through our holistic therapies, veterans with all mental health disorders can develop greater senses of strength, peace, and wholeness, physically and emotionally.

To find out how Solara’s holistic therapies can help you, contact us.

Solara’s Horticulture Therapy for Veterans

There is evidence that gardening can improve mental health and reduce symptoms of the following mental disorders: Clinical Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Veterans with PTSD, Seniors and Elderly with Dementia, and Autism. We understand these are some complex and broad terms that require the guidance and assistance of our qualified staff at our facility. Understanding each veteran’s specific diagnosis is crucial for the treatment, that’s why at Solara Mental Health San Diego our staff of professionals is ready to assist each patient accordingly through a personalized treatment plan.

Solara Mental Health is VA-contracted, which gives us the unique opportunity to help veterans with their mental health needs. As long as authorization is approved, we provide housing, transportation, and accommodations.

What Our Clients Say

Michelle Family

I want to thank you and the entire staff and support system at Solara for taking such good care of my sister. On behalf of my entire family, we want you all to understand that your patience and kindness stretches further than you can see… Thank you, again and again, from the bottom of my heart.

Terri

The Solara Treatment Program was a life-changing experience for me. To be able to heal in such a beautiful, peaceful environment, with such a terrific treatment team, was so amazingly positive. I have found my true self, again. I thank you and my family thanks you for helping me become the person I was meant to be.

Lauren

The Solara program is truly amazing. I’ve never had more clarity or more good energy in my entire life. The attention the physicians and the therapists gave me was outstanding. I feel like they truly understood and addressed my issues, which had consumed my life for years. Thank you all.

Dad

We are so grateful to you for the treatment and care you provided our daughter. She is doing unbelievably well now thanks to your program. We will gladly tell anyone we encounter that needs treatment about the wonderful work you do at Solara.

Bill

The program has given me the tools I needed to really gain stability. For the first time in years - maybe for as long as I can remember, actually, I’m learning how to cope and manage my stressors and triggers. I now believe that I can find some relief and happiness.

Husband

Solara was truly a life-changing experience for me and for our children, because of what you did for my wife! The treatment team was phenomenally supportive and perfect for helping her with her anxiety and depression. We are all now moving forward to put our lives back together and it started with you all in Pacific Beach. Thank you for what you do.

Bradley

The therapists and counselors and really whole team were extremely beneficial to me and my understanding of my issues. The treatment plan they developed was exactly what I needed

Alex

I have never felt better than I do now, since completing your program. The truly caring and supportive staff and the intensive program changed my life. What a neat place to stay for treatment - I love Pacific Beach! I have learned skills and behavior to move forward with my life thanks to you.

Watson Family

Solara’s program was such a positive experience for our mom (and for us)! She had become almost impossible to deal with. Your entire staff was phenomenally supportive and kind and patient with her. We feel like we’ve got our mom back, now.

Lynn

Even though I’m not religious, I realized when I got sober that for the first time in my life I wanted to explore my spiritual side. I benefited hugely from the individual spiritual sessions that I had with Chris. I’m really grateful for that aspect of the whole treatment experience.

R.M. – Father

If not for Solara Mental Health, I am almost positive that our daughter would not be as advanced in her treatment, and would not have the almost miraculous confident and positive outlook that she has.

M.P. – Father

Your program provided our daughter with the most masterful therapist we have ever encountered (and we have used many).  She has had an unbelievable ability to see the long-term trajectory of our daughter’s treatment and to approach her treatment in stages that fit where my daughter’s development was.  We can’t say enough positive about her.