I am a Clinical Psychologist and founder of the Perinatal, Child and Family Hub and Carla Anderson Clinician Training, with over 25 years of experience in perinatal and infant mental health. My work includes clinical care, alongside training healthcare clinicians. I am also a florist and Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner, integrating floristry, mindfulness and self-care with therapy clients, as well as clinicians with a focus on well-being, reflective practice, and professional development.

Growing up rurally on a large farm, I have been surrounded by horticulture my whole life and my husband is a horticulturist. I have always found my peace and mindfulness outside in the garden, propagating and planting new gardens, as well as growing with aquaponics.

I became interested in the psychological benefits of flowers through my floristry studies for my own self-care, and my own experience of mindfulness and creative engagement with flowers. I also began growing my own cut flowers and found similar benefits. I was drawn to learning about flowers (and plants), their care, symbolism and use of metaphor. This led me to explore how I could use floristry as a modality in therapeutic horticulture.

I developed “Floriful” workshops for women integrating floral arranging with self-care and mindfulness. Following requests from healthcare clinicians I went on to develop “The Clinician In Bloom” a 6 week online self-care and reflective practice training course. I also deliver similar in person workshops for clinicians.