Dirt Therapy
Impact & Creditability
Dirt Therapy is rooted in proven fields of horticultural therapy, mindfulness practice, and trauma-informed care. Each session draws from established research showing that even brief nature-based experiences can reduce stress, regulate the nervous system, and improve emotional wellbeing.
Early Implementation Plans
The program is currently in its pilot phase, preparing to launch sessions across Tampa Bay schools, workplaces, and community gardens in 2026. Outcomes will be measured through participant feedback and brief pre/post self-regulation scales.
Community Foundations
We’ve built Dirt Therapy in collaboration with educators, caregivers, and community partners who share a commitment to accessible, stigma-free wellness. Current collaborators include:
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Pasco County Schools Citizens Academy — community leadership and education insight
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CoHatch West Tampa — shared workspace for design and program development
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The Feralore 501(c)(3) — nonprofit umbrella dedicated to inclusive family support
How does this work?
Dirt Therapy is a 45-minute hands-on decompression session built for real people with real stress. There’s no meditation soundtrack or forced sharing. Just time to slow down, touch the soil, and reset before heading back into the day.
Step 1: Settle In
Everyone gets a minute to breathe and drop whatever they’ve been carrying. The facilitator gives a quick rundown; what we’re doing, what’s optional, and what to expect.
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Step 2: Get Your Hands Dirty
You grab a small pot, soil, and a starter plant. While working, the group talks (or stays quiet) about everyday stuff; work, parenting, life. The process is the point: slowing down, noticing texture, and letting your nervous system catch up.
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Step 3: Wrap & Go
Each person takes their plant home; a low-maintenance reminder that they can grow things, even on tough days. No worksheets, no deep talk, just a grounded reset you can feel.
“No meditation app, no awkward circle. It's just dirt, a pot, and a few quiet minutes that actually help.”
Who Do We Serve
Real people. Real stress. Real relief.​
Dirt Therapy was built for the folks who don’t have time (or money) for long breaks, therapy apps, or weekend retreats. It meets people where they already are; on lunch breaks, in classrooms, or at community events and gives them a few quiet minutes to breathe and reset.
Educators & School Staff
For teachers, counselors, and support staff who carry the emotional load of their students. Dirt Therapy offers a short, structured way to pause and recharge before heading back into the day.
Parents & Caregivers
Especially those raising children with complex needs — foster, adoptive, or neurodivergent families who rarely get a moment of quiet. Sessions create space for calm connection, without therapy jargon or forced sharing.
Frontline & Helping Professionals
Social workers, first responders, and healthcare staff experience constant secondary stress. Dirt Therapy provides a portable reset that can be brought directly into the workplace.
Workplaces & Teams
For organizations trying to support staff mental health without adding another meeting. It’s quick, tactile, and easy to integrate into wellness programs or team days.
Community Members
Anyone navigating everyday stress; students, retirees, volunteers, or residents can benefit from a moment of grounding that doesn’t require experience, gear, or prep.
Kids & Youth
Hands-on planting gives kids a quiet, sensory-safe way to decompress without having to talk about their feelings. Whether it’s part of a school day, aftercare, or a youth program, Dirt Therapy helps them slow down, focus, and build small wins they can see grow.