Wilderness Therapy Programs for Troubled Teens

Therapeutic Wilderness programs can be seen as a combination of ancient cultural systems and modern therapeutic processes. These programs take place in wilderness or outdoor settings, and provide students with a therapy intervention, counseling, and survival training etc. The duration of programs is normally from 30 to 90 days.

The downside to the Therapeutic Wilderness program is the fact that they take place in the wilderness, and can be physically dangerous. Students are taught to basically survive in all kinds of terrains and outdoor circumstances (extreme heat, extreme cold, wind, rain, and snow). The students do a great deal of hiking, which can be a very good thing. They also do most of the cooking and preparation of food for meals. But they are in the outdoors, and sometimes their food and water supplies are limited. When students get sick, for example, it is very hard to cope with. Also, it is very difficult to maintain any academic pursuit while the troubled teen is in the wilderness experience.

The upside to the Therapeutic Wilderness program is the fact that students are removed from their cushy home environments, and are forced to take responsibility for their own needs.

Complaining, whining, and arguing become meaningless. They are dependent upon the trained adult counselors for their very survival. They grow up and mature quickly. They also bond well with the adult mentors.

Being in the wilderness, with lots of time to reflect and think, is a sensational environment to “get it together”. Most wilderness programs also provide the parent with an in depth assessment of the issues that led to the child’s rebellion.

For more information about Therapeutic Wilderness Programs please feel free to contact Greg Hitchcock at 888-597-9495.

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