The truth about recovery is that it can be challenging. Creating a whole new life for yourself means facing your fears and doing deep work to heal. The good news is that you can find fun methods and therapies to help you along your journey. Adventure therapy will give you a new sense of excitement.
What Is Adventure Therapy?
Adventure therapy, or wilderness treatment, utilizes outdoor adventure activities to help individuals treat substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health conditions. According to the Washington State Institute (WSIPP) for Public Policy, “wilderness therapy programs combine therapeutic elements with outdoor activities in a natural setting.”
Wilderness treatment can be traced back to the “Outward Bound” model of the 1940s. This was a program developed to help individuals gain interpersonal skills, a sense of self, and lifelong learning through wilderness expeditions in small groups.
Wilderness Activities
Adventure therapy can include a number of different activities outdoors in the wilderness. They often feature activities that will help people develop a sense of independence, leadership, and survival skills. Some wilderness activities include:
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Camping
- Rock climbing
- Rope courses
- Zip lining
The WSIPP notes that wilderness therapy programs are a subset of a “broad field of outdoor adventure programs” that contain therapeutic elements. Some programs may even consider exposure to nature as therapeutic in itself. The general rule of thumb is that if an activity is outdoors, in an adventure-like setting, it can be used as a form of wilderness treatment.
A Unique Experience for Facing Your Fears
Most often, when people think of recovery, traditional talk therapy and medication comes to mind. Many people have tried traditional methods to no avail. Many more have had negative experiences that cause them to stay away from treatment.
The great thing about adventure therapy is that it’s fun, exciting, and wholly unique. If you’ve tried traditional treatment before, you may consider adventure therapy as a new alternative to help you along your journey of healing.
Therapeutic Approach
According to a 2021 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, outdoor therapies, like adventure therapy, are “intentional therapeutic processes that are  (1) place-based, (2) feature active bodily engagement, and (3) recognize nature-human kinship.”
The study notes that these therapeutic approaches have shown “a wide range of social, emotional, physical, physiological, and psychological outcomes and populations.” There are numerous approaches, but contact with nature is the essential component.
Benefits of Adventure Therapy
Treatment programs that take place in a wilderness setting can have a wide variety of benefits for those experiencing substance abuse, mental health, and behavioral health conditions.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS), adventure therapy involves “immersion in an unfamiliar environment, group living with peers, individual and group therapy sessions, educational curricula and application of primitive skills such as fire-making and backcountry travel.”
These processes were originally intended to help troubled youth address problem behaviors. Today, adventure therapy is offered to adults as well. Activities in the great outdoors can help you foster personal growth and social responsibility and learn survival skills.
Facing Your Fears
Another huge benefit of adventure therapy is that it helps you disconnect from your daily struggles with substances or mental health. Many people who take part in this treatment are looking to rebuild their lives and find a sense of purpose once again.
Facing your fears in recovery can be done with outdoor wilderness treatment. These types of programs will help you open up and connect with peers as well as yourself.
Adventure therapy programs will often put you into uncomfortable or unknown situations. Through teamwork and survival skills, you will learn how to manage challenging situations even when you are uncomfortable.
Adventure Therapy at The Guest House
At The Guest House, our adventure therapy program will help you find enjoyment in teamwork and exciting challenges while taking in the beauty of the great outdoors. Facing your fears is possible through this program, and it will help you build lifelong skills well beyond recovery.
Adventure therapy at The Guest House allows you to be active with your peers in natural settings. You will find plenty of opportunities for these sessions right on our beautiful 52-acre estate. We are located in Silver Springs, Florida, right on the outskirts of scenic Ocala. Here you can also enjoy guided hiking trips and other off-campus activities close to our grounds.
Comprehensive Treatment
Along with adventure therapy, The Guest House provides a wide variety of treatment options. You’ll find traditional talk therapy programs to help you identify trauma and other struggles. The process of healing can become a lot easier when you know you have the support of others.
We also offer a vast array of holistic treatment programs. Therapies like meditation, yoga, and conscious connected breathwork can help you move through trauma and re-discover yourself. You can also enjoy physical exercise, art therapy, and equine therapy in an outdoor setting.
Individualized Care
At The Guest House, we believe in allowing our guests to find the methods that work best for them in recovery. Everyone has their own unique set of struggles and experiences, so it’s important to have comprehensive treatment available.
Your recovery journey may seem frightening, especially if you feel like you have to do it alone. The Guest House will provide you with a comfortable home away from home where you can build strong relationships and lean on expert staff for support and guidance.
Recovery can be a frightening journey. With adventure therapy, facing your fears in recovery is possible. Adventure therapy, also known as wilderness treatment, allows you to forge bonds with others, build interpersonal and survival skills, and have fun in the great outdoors. At The Guest House, our adventure therapy program is just one of our many therapeutic modalities. You will find excitement on our beautiful 52-acre estate as you participate in activities that help you learn how to face your fear and overcome your struggles. The Guest House also offers a wide variety of traditional and holistic programs so you can find what works best for your personal journey. Call us today at (855) 483-7800.