Those who are experiencing drug abuse or individual battles may be hesitant and unwilling to trust, for dread of a return or a deepening of these concerns. If you or a loved one are experiencing difficulties, you may think about attending an adventure therapy program. Adventure Therapy Programs are developed to allow you to move ahead in a secure, reassuring environment, one where the natural world plays a solid role.

Adventure Therapy

Adventure therapy began in the early 1900’s, broadening use in the 1960’s. Its appeal waxed and waned with changing social viewpoints and traditions. Recently, it has risen in prominence, and individuals regularly leave ready to face a brand-new day. Many adventure therapy courses integrate therapeutic activities like trust-building and cooperative games with outdoor expeditions, motivating each individual to interact where they’re comfortable and share when driven. Each program is a soul healing experience.

Group Adventure Therapy

This type of therapy provides room for any individual who wants to join. Since group therapy individuals originate from diverse backgrounds, their total experience often expands far beyond any single individual.

Family Adventure Therapy

With family therapy, the entire family takes part in an adventure program. This is advantageous when social struggles impact the majority of or all members of the immediate family, and it typically has a noticeable enhancement on work and school life at the same time.

Individual Adventure Therapy

An individualized treatment program consists of just one individual and the adventure therapist. Since there are no additional group associates, it can dive deeper and provide a complete one-on-one technique to healing. It usually involves alternative therapies or innovative activities that enable the individual to express a variety of feelings and emotions.

Adventure therapy is a progressively favored form of treatment, and many studies sustain its use. As a matter of fact, one 1994 study by H.L. Gillis and D.R. Cason revealed that 12.2 percent of adolescents improved when engaged in adventure therapy compared to traditional therapy. The research also showed that individuals experienced 60 percent more behavioral enhancements than non-participants. A 2013 analysis from The Open Psychology Journal upholds these statistics, revealing the overall favorable impact and prominence of adventure therapy treatments.

Wilderness Therapy

This part of adventure therapy gets attendees out into nature to connect with their environment on a personal level. Individuals take part in survival camps and meticulous expeditions created to motivate self-awareness, interpersonal connections and gratitude for the environment. Teens and young adults make up the majority of participators in wilderness therapy, although military veterans also look to this therapy after returning home.

Considering that the emphasis of wilderness therapy is a straightforward connection with nature, teens and veterans significantly benefit from the independence and sense of freedom. Rather than engaging mainly in trust exercises, wilderness rehab attendees are motivated to team up with one another and address problems through experimentation, instead of experiencing a more official therapy strategy.

According to a 2004 report by A. Nortrom, as many as 70 percent of adolescent attendees experienced a reduction in their long-standing depression. It also revealed that 61.9 percent of individuals experienced decreased educational and social problems upon going back to school. In a 2016 Australian research published in Evaluation and Program Planning, researchers discovered a 60 percent upgrade in overall behavior and emotion, and a 67 percent decrease in suicidal tendencies.

Criteria and Ideal Practices

 For adventure therapy to become effective, it must comply with best practices developed to keep attendees and therapists engaged in a well-balanced learning atmosphere. Here at the Northlake Recovery, we are fortunate enough to have one of South Florida’s leading experts on Adventure Therapy, Ricardo Santiago. His drive and determination towards this innovative form of therapy is what sets us apart from other similar services.

Conscientious Approaches

All adventure therapy courses strive to maintain the greatest ethical fundamentals. Best practices guarantee staff members stay professional at all moments and address each individual respectfully. Regardless if you or a loved one are participating in the program, you’ll always have the right to decline participation in any adventure. All therapists are educated for their roles, and they maintain privacy in all interactions.

Individual Welfare

The main goal of every adventure therapy system is to assist individuals safely conquer abuse, dependencies or mental disorders. Your involvement in any endeavor won’t put personal safety in jeopardy. Adventure therapists don’t hold back physical needs from attendees, and they don’t take part in punishment practices. Repercussions for any decisions will always be fair and unbiased.

Comprehending Physical, Psychological, Cultural and Relational Boundaries

The recognition of limits, whether physical, psychological or otherwise, is an essential component of any therapy system. Professionals will ask for your permission before starting any physical contact, which is developed in order to help conquer personal battles. Multiculturalism is to be embraced, not discriminated against, and all therapists aim to preserve a desirable environment for everyone. Connections between an attendee and therapist are not allowed, guaranteeing all individuals feel secure and free from fear.

Environmental Impression

Whether the method is adventure therapy or the wilderness subset, all adventures are developed for nominal impact on the environment. All patients are requested to follow existing pathways and leave the location as they found it.

Specifications and Certification

The specifications all adventure therapy systems abide by are extensive and far-reaching. Experts aim to maintain the finest quality of care and management of risks while attendants are under their guidance. Treatments are consistent and regularly updated for the most up to date methods and techniques.

Certification is one of the most effective ways to guarantee that requirements are being fulfilled. For adventure experiential education, accreditation means that standards remain in place to ensure the security and privacy of all attendees. For outdoor behavioral healthcare, accreditation guarantees you that standardized mental health requirements are constantly at the forefront while out in wilderness journeys.

Adventure of a Lifetime

Are you or your loved one willing to break free from your own battles? Northlake Recovery has one of the most effective adventure therapy programs developed to help you get back on your feet. Contact us today to find out, and visit our blog section to find out more about our services. You can also call 24/7 to speak to one of our addiction specialists by dialing (561)-770-6616. Adventure Awaits!