HT Session #3: TBI Patient "Seymour" by Katherine Cox, HTS

Summary

This video follows a horticultural therapy session with a 31-year-old patient, Seymour, who has a simulated traumatic brain injury (TBI). The session focuses on flower arranging, sensory engagement, and improving memory, concentration, and social interaction. The therapist, Katherine Cox, guides Seymour through tasks such as identifying plants, recalling dates, and making decisions during the flower arrangement activity. Throughout the session, she emphasizes the importance of gentle redirection and encourages Seymour’s creative choices. The session concludes with a reflection on the therapeutic process, highlighting successes and areas for improvement in treatment techniques.

Takeaways

• 😀 The session focuses on therapeutic horticulture in an adult foster home setting, using a simulated scenario with a patient named Seymour who has a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• 😀 The therapist is a horticultural therapy student, not a licensed professional, conducting a project for school.
• 😀 The main goal of the session is to engage the patient in flower arrangement while addressing specific therapy goals: improving speech, concentration, memory, spatial orientation, social interaction, and emotional control.
• 😀 The warm-up activity, discussing plant facts, helps transition the patient into the therapy session, making it more comfortable and engaging.
• 😀 The session incorporates sensory stimulation by having the patient feel and smell different plants (lamb's ear, rosemary, and lavender) to trigger memories and promote relaxation.
• 😀 The therapist focuses on supporting the patient's concentration and memory by regularly asking him to recall the date and location during the session.
• 😀 The patient is guided through a flower arrangement activity, where he is encouraged to make choices and stay focused, with gentle redirection if he becomes distracted.
• 😀 The therapist uses specific language, positive reinforcement, and visual cues to help Seymour stay on task, boosting his confidence and engagement in the activity.
• 😀 The therapist observes the patient’s ability to recall plant materials and locations, and evaluates his fine motor skills and spatial awareness through the flower arrangement task.
• 😀 The therapist notes that while Seymour did well overall, the session could be improved by reducing the number of instructions and making them more concise, especially for a patient with TBI.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the warm-up activity in the therapeutic session?

The warm-up activity, like the plant fun facts, is designed to help the patient transition from whatever they were doing before the session into the therapeutic setting. It also stimulates memory and engages both hemispheres of the brain, promoting healing and progress in treatment goals.

Why did the therapist ask Seymour to repeat the date and location multiple times?

The therapist asked Seymour to repeat the date and location to help promote memory retention. This is important for patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), who often struggle with retaining such information.

How does the activity involving flower arrangements benefit the patient?

The flower arrangement activity helps Seymour with spatial awareness, fine motor skills, concentration, and memory. It also allows him to engage his senses, such as smell and touch, and make independent choices, which supports his cognitive and emotional well-being.

What is the significance of the therapist using soft but direct language when redirecting Seymour?

Using soft but direct language helps Seymour stay engaged and comfortable during the session without feeling reprimanded. It fosters a positive, supportive relationship and encourages him to stay on task without feeling shut down.

Why is it important for the therapist to give specific compliments during the session?

Specific compliments reinforce positive behavior, build the patient's confidence, and motivate them to continue engaging with the activity. It also helps establish a rapport and validates the patient's efforts.

What was the primary treatment goal for Seymour in this session?

The primary treatment goals were to help Seymour improve his ability to concentrate, stay on task, and improve his memory retention and spatial orientation. Additionally, the session aimed to improve his social interaction and emotional regulation.

What was one of the challenges Seymour faced during the activity?

Seymour experienced difficulty concentrating and deciding what flowers to use in the arrangement. This is a common issue for individuals with TBI, as they often struggle with decision-making and focus.

What did the therapist do when Seymour walked off in the middle of the session?

The therapist gently redirected Seymour back to the activity. She used encouraging language and maintained a supportive tone to help him refocus and stay engaged in the task.

How does the sensory stimulation, like smelling rosemary and lavender, benefit Seymour?

The sensory stimulation provided by the rosemary and lavender helped Seymour recall memories and emotions, promoting cognitive and emotional healing. It also aids in memory retention and relaxation, which are key goals for TBI patients.

What are some potential changes the therapist would make for future sessions?

The therapist would slow down the pace of the session to hit the 30-minute mark and provide shorter, more focused directions. Additionally, she would gradually introduce more choices in the flower arrangement activity to help Seymour gain confidence and ease decision-making.