Sending yourself or a loved one to outdoor adventure therapy (sometimes mistakenly called wilderness therapy) away from home can be nerve-wracking. It is a big commitment, and you want to be sure you are doing the right thing and trusting the right people. A credible outdoor adventure therapy program will provide a comprehensive treatment method and encourage self-efficacy, healthy relationships, and autonomy. These programs should increase the depressed young adult’s self-esteem, provide a place to work on negative behavior patterns, and develop successful communication methods while accomplishing adventure-based tasks.
What To Expect At Outdoor Adventure Therapy
Whether you are a young adult seeking therapy or have a loved one who would benefit from attending outdoor adventure therapy, sometimes called wilderness adventure therapy, it is important to ensure all those involved are on board and understand the commitment being asked of them.
Outdoor adventure therapy, an alternative to wilderness therapy, has many different facets to its programs. When trying to decide which program is best for you, you will want to ensure the reasons you are choosing to attend this method of therapy are actually addressed and cared for throughout the program. This may be done through talk therapy, community service, or adventurous activities.
These activities often include outdoor living, outdoor education, expeditions, and team and leadership courses, among other activities. Therapists assess problems, provide therapy throughout these activities, and teach skills contributing to personal and group success. They often learn “hard skills’ and ‘soft skills”– hard skills include cooking food, following a map, or building shelter, and soft skills include teamwork, gratitude, and openness, among other emotional and intellectual tools.
Furthermore, a credible outdoor adventure therapy can be highly effective when treating depressed young adults if it incorporates the following elements:
Clinical Support
Adventure therapy programs should balance adventure and therapy to create the best learning, growth, and healing environment. A clinical support team is critical to a credible adventure therapy program. Therapists should be involved in all aspects of the adventure and therapy while tailoring the program to meet the needs of each individual. All participants attend outdoor adventure therapy (remember, sometimes mistakenly called wilderness adventure therapy) for different reasons. A clinical support team must observe and guide participants with mental health issues in a safe, caring, and educated way.
Wilderness Environment
The “adventure” portion of adventure therapy should be purposeful and pertinent to the needs of any participant who chooses to attend this program. A credible outdoor adventure therapy program will use the wilderness in a healing capacity. Nature is scientifically proven to be beneficial for many reasons, including reduced stress, increased focus, improved mood, and more. A credible program will use nature and the wilderness for healing and growth, not for punishment.
Sequenced Adventure Activities
Those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, or a lack of motivation will find value in organized activities and will benefit from sequenced activities. A credible program should consider the participants’ needs and constantly observe, evaluate, and make personalized growth plans. Activities should be sequenced and completed in a way that is confidence-building for each participant and does not create fear or build additional barriers to their current state of mind.
Cultural Immersion
Cultural immersion within outdoor adventure therapy separates young adults from the negative influences that can often have an impact on their behavior or depression and places them in an outdoor environment that is safe and encourages growth beyond their current state. Therapy participants should not just be put in the middle of nowhere and told to survive, but rather supported and challenged in activities that help them overcome challenges and build self-esteem.
Healing With Pure Life Adventures
An example of a credible outdoor adventure therapy program is Pure Life Adventures, which incorporates all 4 of these elements. Clinical Support is enlisted in the program with licensed counselors and professionals to support young adults throughout their journey. The wilderness environment is in Costa Rica, known by recent studies as one of the happiest countries in the world. Adventure activities in the program are wide, with surfing, sea kayaking, and white water rafting, among other certification courses. Cultural immersion is achieved by community outreach service projects and a cultural homestay in which young adults can stay with Costa Rican families. The Pure Life Adventures program is truly unique in threading together wilderness therapy and adventure therapy into Outdoor Adventure Therapy to provide a balanced and effective treatment for young adults.
Identifying depression in your young adult can be difficult for any parent. Watching your son or daughter, who was once happy and motivated, slip into a depressed and agitated state can be hard to bear. For this reason alone, it is crucial to identify and seek treatment for your depressed young adult before it leads to life-altering decisions and behaviors. At home, parents of depressed young adults need to communicate and support their child while also seeking the professional help their son or daughter needs. When talk therapy and medication are not enough, outdoor adventure therapy (which can be mistakenly referred to as wilderness adventure therapy) can provide a supplemental and highly effective treatment method to get your young adult’s life back on track.
If you feel that a healing outdoor adventure therapy program might be right for you or your loved one, please reach out to Pure Life Adventures today.
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More About Adventure Therapy With Pure Life Adventure…
Wilderness Adventure Therapy and Young Adult Mental Health
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How Does Cultural Immersion Work in Therapy?
9 Health Benefits Of Being Outdoors Backed By Science
