Wilderness Therapy Alternative
First, sometimes I do believe that a wilderness therapy program is an appropriate recommendation for a young adult. Sometimes a new client specifically comes to me saying “I want a wilderness program. Please help me understand which one is best for me.” Often, those clients are craving and advocating for a tech detox, a change in communication from loved ones, and an opportunity for their nervous system to download to a state of calm. But not everyone wants this. And not everyone needs it too. If you’re looking for alternatives, they exist.
If you aren’t familiar with “wilderness therapy,” let’s clear up with this looks like. This is a wilderness experience that lasts between 21 days to 90+ days. The “therapy” part in the title means you minimally are meeting with a therapist weekly, working on a program-specific curriculum focused on emotional and social growth, self-reflection, psychoeducation, and mastery of outdoor skills. The group is small, intentional, and a part of the experience is learning from your peers. Wilderness therapy as a type of treatment has been around for over 40 years and has changed significantly over the last 15 years, even though Media may tell you otherwise. There are licensed therapists that are with the group 24/7, and there are additional licensed therapists visiting the group weekly. Clients do have access to Psychiatry, Nutritionists, mail, etc. Again, each program, their location and activities, and who they serve varies. Very few expedition-based programs remain so what you’re seeing on current documentaries is outdated. Most programs now have basecamps with buildings, access to showers, wifi for Zoom calls, a kitchen to cook meals, and go out into their local community to volunteer or recreate. They are doing less backpacking based experiences and instead are doing more day trips, and only activities clients want to participate in. The expression “challenge by choice” is transitioning out because there is less push for client’s to participate if they aren’t comfortable. That’s just high-level of some of the things you can expect if you consider a wilderness therapy program. If you are wanting an alternative, here’s where some other ideas come in.
There are walk & talk therapists at outpatient levels. They can meet you on-trail to do a day hike and have your session that way. There are week-long brick & mortar intensives that will include a tech detox, while participating in some outdoor activities but you come back to the house at the end of the day to unwind. There are month-long experiences at varying levels of outdoor interest and the focus on what you (as a young adult) need to focus on. There are parent coaches that can come in and do an in-home family intensive to see if that also helps elicit change. There are residential programs in more rural areas with large properties where clients can get outside and “be with nature.” They can walk on property or have access to adventure-based activities near the property. Needless to say, if you’re looking for a wilderness therapy alternative, there are options. Not sure which direction to start looking? Consider speaking with a consultant to help narrow it down. It’s important to get an unbiased opinion on what may be best for you.
Sometimes, you can try the alternatives (like some of the above) and you still end up circling back to a wilderness therapy program being the best option in the end. And that’s not always a bad thing, it just means you tried other resources and it still didn’t move the needle like you wanted. I find a lot of student athletes really love the wilderness therapy experience because of the break from their sport, the intensity of their schedule, and yet the program is still physically active. I can’t emphasize enough how the resounding feedback I get from young adults these days who advocate for that type of experience tell me as they’re graduating “I wish I had enrolled in that program sooner.” Or, I might hear “This experience truly changed my life and now I feel so much better about my future.” It’s hard not to hear that and believe that these experiences can be truly transformative for those who are looking for that. If you’re looking for change, no matter the environment, options exist.
For questions or comments contact Joanna.
