Adventure Therapy

Adventure therapy can include hiking, rafting, ropes challenges, wilderness expeditions, and rock climbing. Thus, while facing these challenges, teens develop a sense of accountability, a positive attitude about themselves, and a greater ability to work within a group setting. Additionally, by getting at-risk youth out of their “comfort zones,” teen adventure therapy pushes kids to develop a positive identity.

Research at the University of New Hampshire has shown that teen adventure therapy is actually safer than remaining at home, where car accidents, drug overdoses, and risky behavior result in much higher injury and mortality rates. Furthermore, the majority of outdoor therapy programs adhere to the quality standards of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH) Council. The goal of the OBH council is to improve adventure therapy outcomes, reduce risk incidents, and promote best practices.

Sources: Adventure Therapy & Wilderness/Nature Therapy (Wilderdom), Adventure Therapy Web, History of Adventure Therapy in the United States, National Wilderness Therapy Symposium