Wilderness therapy

Wilderness therapy, sometimes referred to as outdoor education or adventure-based therapy, is an outdoor program that is intended to be therapeutic in nature. They may simply self-identify as therapeutic or may offer more traditional psychotherapy in a wilderness environment.^[1] Their aim is guiding participants toward self-reliance and self-respect.^[2]^[3] The pioneers in the field of wilderness therapy were Larry D. Olsen and Ezekiel C. Sanchez at Brigham Young University.

Overview

Initial role in development of wilderness therapy had The New York Asylum, the San Francisco Agnew Asylum, also the philosophies of Kurt Hahn This therapy is often used for behavior modification by the families of young people. But the aims and methods of wilderness therapy don't center on behavior modification. Many wilderness therapy programs avoid what they view as manipulations, contrived activities, psychological games, and contrived consequences (ANASAZI Foundation 1990). Most programs employ no force, confrontation, point or level systems, or other overt behavioral modification techniques or models. They stress assertiveness, open communication between staff and students, and are very group-oriented. It is very important to note that there are many models of wilderness therapy reflective of different programs.

Some "wilderness therapy programs trace their origins to outdoor survival programs that placed children in a challenging environment where determination, communication and team efforts were outcomes" (Conner 2005). Alternately some programs are derived from a more ecopsychological perspective, according to the Director of the Wilderness Therapy Program at Naropa University, "through contemplative practice and the experiential outdoor classroom, students gain further self-awareness and the ability to respond to whatever arises in the moment" (Piranian 2006). And according to the founders of ANASAZI Foundation, "we learned that whenever we adopted what we have come to call 'contrived' experiences, the overall impact often diminished for the participants" (ANASAZI Foundation 1990).

Controversy

Given the proliferation of such programs, there is a concern about how these programs are run.^[4]

Some programs which advertise as "wilderness therapy" are actually boot camps in a wilderness environment.^[5] There have been incidents of alleged abuse.^[6] These can sometimes be distinguished from other wilderness therapy by such programs promising behavior modification for troubled teens, but it is hard to tell just from the ads.^[7] One of the major differences between boot camps and wilderness therapy is the underlying philosophical assumptions (wilderness therapy being driven by the philosophy of experiential education and theories of psychology and boot camps being informed by a military model). Additionally, most wilderness therapy programs have highly trained clinical staff either on the expedition or in active and ongoing consultation with the team. Boot camps may have no clinically trained staff working in the programs. Staff are often from a correctional or military background.

As in any type of treatment program, abusive situations have been reported and accidental deaths have taken place in some of these programs, although compared with similar outdoor adventure activities deaths are extremely rare. Among the most controversial programs have been those run by Steve Cartisano (High Country News 1996) (Samoan Observor 2000) or former Cartisano associates. There also exist "wilderness therapy" boot camps located outside the U.S. to avoid U.S. regulations, many of them unlicensed fly by night outfits. Such unlicensed outfits also exist in some U.S. states where the wilderness therapy industry is poorly regulated (The Oregonian 2000) (Outside magazine 1996). There is also controversy over whether parents should be allowed to force their child into a wilderness program, which is often the case. Apart from the thousands spent on the actual program (around $500/day), some parents pay a Teen escort company thousands to ensure that their child gets to the program by any means necessary.

October 2007 the United States Government Accountability Office had a hearing. In relationship with the hearing, they have issued a report about the wilderness therapy industry (GAO 2007)

After the Program

Many teens in wilderness programs report the experience as being positive, beneficial, and enjoyable. They learn independence, patience, assertiveness, self-reliance, and maturity; although it is unclear how long these changes last (FamilyFirstAid 2004). Outcome studies have been completed (OBHRC 2001) that show continued improvement in behavior one-year after attending wilderness therapy and new outcome studies are currently underway.

After a wilderness therapy program, students may return home or may be recommended for a therapeutic boarding school, Young Adult Program or an intensive residential treatment center.

References

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External links

ANASAZI Foundation (1990), The Ten Guiding Principles .
Conner, Michael (2005), Wilderness Therapy Programs and Wilderness Boot Camps: Is there a difference? .
Piranian, Deb (2006), Dear Prospective Student .
Samoan Observor, Malifa, Savea Sano (2000), Troubled American teenagers in Paradise! .
The Oregonian, Gregory, Gordon (2000), Deadly discipline? .
Outside magazine, Krakauer, Jon (1995), Loving Them to Death .
The Outdoor Behavioral Research Counsel, Russell, Keith C., Ph.D (1995), Assessment of Treatment Outcomes in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare .
(OBHRC) Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Cooperative, Various studies done on behalf of the industry (2001), OBHIC Research .
FamilyFirstAid, FamilyFirstAid (2004), Teen Wilderness Programs and Outdoor Schools .
Report, GAO (2007), Residential Treatment Programs - Concerns Regarding Abuse and Death in Certain Programs for Troubled Youth, Statement of Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director Forensic Audits and Special Investigations and Andy O'Connell, Assistant Director Forensic Audits and Specials Investigations, October 10 (PDF)