Help to heal /
Adventure therapy uses outdoor activities to create challenging situations for its participants. Pursuits such as rock-climbing, canoeing and parasailing are intended to provide a sense of
risk in a controlled environment. Adventure practitioners believe that such environments encourage behavioural changes that can be transferred to everyday life.
History
Adventure therapy can be traced back to the Outward Bound program, founded by Kurt Hahn in 1940. It was intended to improve young people's
confidence and self-esteem through mental and physical excursion. The Project Adventure program of the 1970s was an advancement of the OB concept and was a major influence on adventure based therapy.
Approach
Adventure based therapy derives from a strand of theories collectively known as experiential education/experiential learning. Students learn through genuine experiences that provide benefits and consequences.
Self reflection is a key component of this approach, helping participants to develop new skills and attitudes that can resolve issues.
Experiential learning has its roots in Constructivist theory.
How can it help?
Adventure therapy, also known as
Wilderness therapy is often used to help disaffected young people develop better social skills and improve self esteem. It is effective at improving communication skills and building trust between individuals and groups. Adventure therapy is used extensively with adolescents, especially those experiencing problems like
depression and
anxiety.It is also useful for addressing trust issues within families.
Buy books about Adventure therapy with Amazon
Adventure Therapy resources
Adventure Learning UK
Association for Experiential Education
