Welcome! My name is Bianca and I am a Registered Horticultural Therapist with strong roots as a Recreation Therapist. Typically, you'll find me trying to ID a plant in the woods, showing off the smell of the latest herb I've grown, or trying to invite people into the unseen, meaningful moments nature holds.
I advocate for the recognition and necessity of this therapeutic approach in diverse settings, spanning from Long Term Care facilities to hospitals, schools, and beyond. My vision is to see Horticultural Therapy take root not only across this country but also around the world.
Bianca
van der Stoel
Registered Horticultural Therapist, Recreation Therapist, and Board Member of the CHTA
With a clinical lens, my goal is to drive a transformation within our healthcare system and communities, reinforcing the role that nature, plants, and green spaces can play in an individual's well being.
My HT practice varies from landscape design to supporting the elderly population in care, young adults in post-secondary and educational settings, as well as community and corporate nature workshops.
I believe Horticultural Therapy can provide boundless benefits to individuals, groups, and our communities, and I'd love to talk to you about how this service could connect to you.
I aim to be a change-maker. And I deeply believe in this therapeutic modality.
Bianca's Credentials
Horticulture Technician
Vancouver Island University
Bachelor of Science - Therapeutic Recreation
Dalhousie University
- 5 years of clinical Horticultural Therapy practice
- CHTA Board Member
- Over 10 years of Recreation Therapy practice
- 10+ Conference Presentations
- Guest Speaking in Post-Secondary Classes
- 40+ Professional Presentations re: HT Practice and adjunctive therapeutic learnings
- Design & Installation of three therapeutic landscapes.
- Design & project coordination of an accessible forest trail at Eden Gardens in Nanaimo BC
- Renovation and installation of therapeutic components within the three courtyards of Arrowsmith Lodge in Parksville, BC
- Design, funding, and project management of a 2500 sq ft therapeutic community garden space at Kiwanis Village in Nanaimo, BC
wal,king barefoot in the grass
lemon verbena
pruning tomatoes
wet moss
crushed up hemlock needles
sweet peas
Education
CLINICAL TRAINING TO SUPPORT THERAPEUTIC ENGAGEMENT FOR CLIENTS OF VARYING LEVELS OF HEALTH AND FUNCTION AND ENSURE OPTIMAL ACCESSIBILITY AND ADAPTATION
INTUITIVE SKILLS TOWARDS PROMOTING A SENSE OF CONNECTION, SAFETY, HUMOUR, AND INTRINSIC ENGAGEMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS.
PERSON-CENTERED, STRENGTHS-BASED FACILITATION SKILLS FOR INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP CLINICAL HT PROGRAMMING.
TO SERVE YOU WELL?
VIEW HORTICULTURAL THERAPY SERVICES
HOW AM I EQUIPPED
Annette Yunick
Therapeutic Recreation
Manager
Bianca delivered an exceptional professional development session titled Nature as a Modality – Bringing Horticultural Therapy into Recreation and Therapeutic Practice for Alberta Health Services south zone Therapeutic Recreation staff. Her engaging presentation style, deep knowledge, and evident passion for horticultural therapy made this one of the most enjoyable and impactful learning experiences I've attended. I highly recommend her expertise for integration into health care settings.
Annette Yunick
Therapeutic Recreation
Manager
Bianca delivered an exceptional professional development session titled Nature as a Modality – Bringing Horticultural Therapy into Recreation and Therapeutic Practice for Alberta Health Services south zone Therapeutic Recreation staff. Her engaging presentation style, deep knowledge, and evident passion for horticultural therapy made this one of the most enjoyable and impactful learning experiences I've attended. I highly recommend her expertise for integration into health care settings.
ADRIANA ELIAS, MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGIST, VIU THRIVE
Bianca’s professional skills in designing, promoting and delivering horticultural programs are outstanding. Whenever I request her services, she listens to my needs and tailors the sessions, considering many factors such as the audience, budget, supplies, type of venue, weather, etc. Every time, Bianca exceeded my expectations.
cliff Thorbes
HTR, CCDP, and MHFA Canada Facilitator.
There are so many qualities and skills that Bianca possesses; I would probably need an entire page to list them. To start with, I respect her dedication and passion for supporting others to become the best they can be in whatever context she works with them. She is a model for professionalism and always generous to share her skills and knowledge with others.
shana wandler
Professional Practice Lead
Allied Health | South Zone
Bianca was fantastic! A knowledgeable and engaging facilitator who brought warmth, humour, and precision to learning. She tailored the learning to our needs with her content being applicable across multiple streams of care and was able to have the learning pre-approved by NCTRC for Continuing Education Units. A truly impactful experience for recreation therapy professionals as she inspired us with practical ideas allow us to integrate
nature into our practice!
Carly Deal
Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Health Center,
Youth Counsellor
"Bianca is full of invaluable knowledge and was incredibly engaging with the youth in our eco-therapy group. Her passion, insight, and personality are infectious and I hope to work alongside her again."
