It draws from learnings from the Outward Bound Process Model, which helps its participants overcome their self-limiting beliefs. A study of Outward Bound participants who had participated in a 21-day course found better outcomes for recidivism (refers to the likelihood that a person who committed a crime will do so again) than those teens who did an intensive outpatient therapy program instead.
Types of Adventure Therapy
There are three major types of adventure therapy: wilderness therapy, adventure-based therapy, and long-term residential camping. The structure of these three different types may vary wildly but the goals are the same:
Techniques
Adventure therapy is based on seven core tenets:
What Adventure Therapy Can Help With
Adventure therapy can help with a wide range of conditions,including:
Anxiety Depression Trauma PTSD Grief Loss Eating disorders Substance use disorders Schizophrenia
Benefits of Adventure Therapy
Reduce feelings of suicidalityA decrease in feelings and symptoms of depressionFading sense of hopelessnessPromotes feelings of self-efficacy
Effectiveness
A meta-analysis (study of studies) of 197 studies about adventure therapy (with nearly 3,000 participants) showed that adventure groups showed greater change than those who either received alternate treatment or no treatment. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Studies have shown an improvement in symptoms for at-risk youth and those with combat-related PTSD, body image issues,and more.
Things to Consider
Unfortunately, adventure or wilderness therapy is not often covered by insurance, and it can be very costly—an average of $500 per day but up to $1,000 per day for some programs. Because of this, it is inaccessible to many, though there are some grant programs available. Additionally, most of them are a major time commitment that not everyone may be able to make. Additionally, the private treatment program industry has had some reports of ethical issues,so it is important to really do your research. Some questions you might want to ask include:
Do they treat the problem/issue/concern you’re looking for?How do they measure “success” for individuals?Are skills being taught that can be used in the “real world”?Are they members of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council, an accrediting body?
Also, many of these programs are part of residential treatment or intensive outpatient programs—longer programs at a higher level of care—so this is a modality often not available for regular outpatient therapy.
How to Get Started
For starters, wilderness therapy is a very intensive type of therapy. Be sure you (or your child) have talked it through with your current therapist and have talked through the pros and cons, including if the rigors of this type of therapy are appropriate for you physically. If you have picked a program, you can expect to do an intake session where you both will be making sure this is the correct fit for you or your child. Be prepared to discuss your (or your child’s) mental health history, including other programs or therapies or medications that you have tried in the past.
A Word From Verywell
Adventure therapy can be a very costly and time-intensive endeavor, so don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself to make sure you get what you want out of a program. That said, it is also a one-of-a-kind opportunity, so also take time to be present in the experience.
