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The Orchid used the Planetree model to create a substance abuse treatment center for women
Women have gender-specific treatment responses that can be successfully enhanced by the environment, both physical and social. At the Orchid Recovery Center for Women in Palm Springs, Florida, a holistic design and the pioneering female-sensitive substance abuse treatment approach of Karen Dodge, PhL), have been used to develop modalities that meet the specific needs of recovering female substance abusers.
Surroundings With the Power to Heal
The Orchid was founded in 2004 and is capable of treating up to 14 women at a time. The Orchid's physical design is based on the Planetree model, which supports the concept that living areas can serve as a catalyst in healing and nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. The Planetree model integrates human caring with the best of scientific medicine and complementary healing traditions.
Angelica Thieriot founded Planetree in 1978. She had been hospitalized for several weeks with a life-threatening medical condition. Although Thieriot received excellent medical care, she was dismayed by the rest of her treatment and stay in the facility. She felt she had been treated as a body in a bed, not as a person.
After recovering from her condition, Thieriot founded the nonprofit Planetree organization, borrowing the name from the plane tree, or sycamore, under which Hippocrates taught his students. The Orchid's implementation of Planetree theory uses concepts of nonlinear, clustered, homelike spaces for both solitude and social activities, enhanced with sound and color-with emphasis on healing women's bodies, minds, and spirits.
Studies have measured the effectiveness of healing spaces and lend scientific credibility to a design that can inspire clients to change and to...