Youth find Direction and Positive Change in the Wilderness
Nowadays, adolescents are bombarded with numerous cultural changes, including unstructured home environments and media culture that glorifies sex, violence, and substance abuse. Clients of Wilderness Therapy generally have trouble with drugs and alcohol, depression, violent outbursts, trouble with the law, failing grades, or getting kicked out of school. By developing a harmonious relationship with their environment, Wilderness Therapy helps adolescents overcome emotional, adjustment, addiction, and psychological issues.
According to thorough research by Keith Russell, Wilderness Therapy is based on the foundation that the nurturing and therapeutic process of the wilderness experience helps clients to access feelings and emotions which have been suppressed by anger, drugs and alcohol, and depression. The program staff works with clients in a compassionate and patient manner, by letting them work through their resistance and anger. Change is not forced. By allowing the environment to influence client response through natural consequences, adolescents learn the personal and interpersonal cause and effect dynamics based on their wilderness therapy experience.
There are three phases that guide the Wilderness Therapy process – Cleansing; Personal and Social Responsibility; Transition and Aftercare. In this process communication and coping skills are taught, along with drug and alcohol awareness and wilderness primitive skills. This therapeutic process strengthens the individual’s development of self concept – including ability to access emotions, a sense of accomplishment, self-confidence, and empowered resilience.
With this newfound knowledge youth begin to have realizations about their personal behavior, and typically become more grateful, open to new perspectives, and develop a desire to change their behavior. With the loving support of their family and community, family relations are strengthened, and acceptance of the other occurs for both parties.
To learn more about Wilderness Therapy visit http://www.wilderness-therapy.org
For additional research by Keith Russell visit The Outdoor Behavior Healthcare Industry Council at http://www.obhic.com
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