Adventure Therapy

What is Adventure Therapy?

One of the widely accepted definitions of adventure therapy is “the prescriptive use of adventure experiences provided by mental health professionals, often conducted in natural settings, that kinesthetically engage clients on cognitive, affective, and behavioral levels” (Gass, Gillis, & Russell, 2012). More simply, adventure therapy describes therapy that is delivered outdoors and using activities that are intended to engage the client, and to enhance the experience of therapy. A programme or session will be based on the client’s therapeutic needs, and outdoor activities are selected to create an active space for therapeutic work. The client’s needs, skills, and preferences will also guide the plan for each session. Adventure Therapy is not a standardised practice; there is no syllabus, and there are different factors that influence how adventure therapy is run (therapists' approach, therapists’ activity competency, location, weather, client abilities and preferences etc).

Traditional, clinic-based therapy is not for everyone, and adventure therapy can provide a completely new perspective for clients. Sessions are typically over several hours (or longer) and take place outdoors. The setting and delivery of adventure therapy are designed to make concepts and ideas easier to learn through concrete examples and play-based practice.

Adventure therapy is a hands-on approach, and there are opportunities to build practical skills (self-care, communication, interpersonal skills) as well as to provide a space for therapy. Activities may be land-based (e.g. hiking, biking, climbing) or water-based (e.g. kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling), and are often combined with extra tasks and challenges to reinforce the message of the session.

Who is Adventure Therapy for?

Adventure therapy is for everyone and as with any therapy approach, each adventure therapist will deliver sessions in their own unique way.

However, there are aspects of adventure therapy that may appeal to people with specific needs or individual factors;

Adventure Therapy is;

  • Professional - Adventure therapists are qualified mental health professionals (psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, or social workers) who are trained and equipped to provide professional support to clients.

  • Active - you don’t need any minimum level of ability, skill, or fitness, but it appeals to people who like to move.

  • Creative - ideas, concepts, and skills are delivered in non-traditional, experiential ways. AT works well for kinaesthetic learners.

  • Dynamic - Programmes and sessions are enriched with layers of therapeutic and skill development.

  • Responsive - The client is at the centre of all good therapy and AT can provide space, time, and flexibility to respond in the moment.

How Effective is Adventure Therapy?

There is no single modality of therapy that has been found to be more beneficial than all others, rather some common factors that are found to contribute to better therapy outcomes are;

  • therapeutic alliance

  • therapist empathy

  • positive regard

  • genuineness

  • client expectations

The quality of the therapeutic alliance, the relationship between the therapist and client, has been shown to be the strongest predictor of successful outcomes of therapy, regardless of the type of therapy used (Radford, 2020; Harper et al., 2021). The therapy space must be one that the client trusts in and feels heard.

Here are some links to specific research that has been carried out in the field of adventure therapy:

Bowen, D. J., & Neill, J. T. (2013). A meta-analysis of adventure therapy outcomes and moderators. The Open Psychology Journal, 6, 28–53.

Dobud, W. (2016). Exploring adventure therapy as an early intervention for struggling adolescents. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 19(1), 33-41.

Gass, M. A., Gillis, H. L., Russell, K. C. (2020). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and practice (2nd ed.). Routledge

Griswold, J., (2014), Mental Health Professionals' Use of Adventure Therapy with Couples and Families. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/321

Harper, N.J.; Fernee, C.R.; Gabrielsen, L.E. Nature’s Role in Outdoor Therapies: An Umbrella Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 5117.

Koperski, H.; Tucker, A.; Lung, M.; & Gass, M. A. (2015). The Impact of Community Based Adventure Therapy on Stress and Coping Skills in Adults. The Practitioner Scholar: Journal of Counseling and Professional Psychology 4(1), 1-16.

Pryor, A. (2018). Outdoor adventure interventions – Young people and adversity: A literature review. Berry Street Victoria.

Radford, S. R. (2020). Recovery Outside of the Box: Examining Adventure Therapy for Mental Health. Bangor University (United Kingdom).

Richards, K., Hardie, A., & Anderson, N. (2020). Outdoor Mental Health Interventions and Outdoor Therapy. Institute for Outdoor Learning Statement of Good Practice. Carlisle: Institute for Outdoor Learning.

Further Information

Adventure therapy is often linked to the wider sector of outdoor and nature-based therapies which includes, but is not limited to; wilderness therapy, nature-based therapy, ecotherapy, forest therapy, therapeutic adventure, outdoor behavioural therapies.

Every practitioner delivers a unique service and will be happy to discuss their approach with prospective clients.

It may be helpful to consider the following when researching options;

Am I looking for a therapeutic experience or professional therapy?

What modality of therapy does the practitioner offer?

What are the practitioner’s qualifications?

Are they registered/ vetted/ supervised/ insured?

Are the time, location, and financial commitment suitable for me?