Benefits of Wilderness Therapy Programs

An experiential form of therapy, wilderness therapy programs combine outdoor experiences and therapy sessions to provide an encouraging and understanding environment for self-discovery. Wilderness therapy aims to help clients learn how to live within a group, develop relationships, and recognize their capacity for strength.

An effective wilderness therapy program should have trained staff members who are passionate about the welfare of their participants and keeping them safe. Staff members should be experienced in handling unique conflicts and problems that may arise. This enables teens to make mistakes in a controlled setting and gain valuable feedback to move forward. Staff members should also design activities that teach transferrable skills. Even though the program takes place in a natural setting, young adults should learn lessons that can be applied throughout the rest of their lives.

In addition to engaging in outdoor activities, wilderness therapy includes sessions with mental health professionals. The sessions can be conducted in an individual or group setting. Depending on the program, participants can be grouped according to age, different stages of treatment, or similarities of situations. Those who have been in the program longer can provide guidance, mentorship, peer support, and inspiration.

Wilderness therapy uses various techniques to provide content, such as survival skills training and group bonding activities. Wilderness therapy programs can reduce depression, stress, and anxiety among adolescents. A wilderness setting even improves engagement with resistant clients. For example, hiking in nature decreases the occurrence of negative patterns of thinking and brain activities associated with depression, helping adolescents become more open to the therapeutic process. This type of outdoor activity also provides an opportunity to naturally form a therapeutic alliance between the participants and staff members.

In addition to resolving specific issues, wilderness therapy programs strives to replace negative coping behaviors with healthy ones through the development of social and emotional skills. Social interactions play a major role in healthy psychosocial development. When teenagers and young adults master personal growth, they become more prepared to manage and thrive in intense social, academic, and professional environments.

Wilderness therapy programs also improve intrapersonal skills such as self-awareness and self-management. Young adults in wilderness programs learn about their strengths and limitations, gratitude, and optimism. Through challenging adventures, such as boating, rock climbing, and ziplining, wilderness therapy teaches participants to regulate their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.

Wilderness therapy programs should also be made available to couples and families, as they can serve as a bonding experience. Participating in a wilderness program together can help families with troubled adolescents address their issues, improve their relationships, and heal as a family. Studies show that parent-adolescent conflict is correlated with some at-risk behaviors. Therefore, maintaining a healthy relationship between parents and their teens is important.

Instead of treating young adults and returning them home without adequate preparation, where they can regress into old behaviors, some wilderness therapy programs incorporate families into the treatment process. Educating all of the family members about their impact on family dynamics can set the youth up for success once they return home from treatment.

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