How Effective Is Adventure Therapy For Mental Health?

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How Effective Is Adventure Therapy For Mental
Health?
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Introduction

• Do you struggle with psychological or behavioural
  issues? Is substance abuse ruining your life? Do
  you find it challenging to ask for help?
  Adventure therapy (AT) can help. As a
  one-of-a-kind experiential therapy, it uses
  subtle, challenging, and enjoyable outdoor
  activities to embrace natural healing.
  Self-reliance, identity development, growth
  mindset, and grit remain the key focus. Thus, it
  keeps recurring episodes of anxiety, depression,
  and helplessness at bay. In this article, you
  will learn everything about adventure therapy,
  including how it works, what to expect, and its
  benefits. But first, a walk down memory lane.
  It's worthwhile to know how this non-traditional
  healing therapy came into being.

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Adventure Therapy-How It All Began

• Back in the early 1800s, hospitals and mental
  clinics sought a way to treat their patients in a
  natural and holistic environment. However, it was
  not until 1901 that the first instance of
  adventure therapy came to light. The Manhattan
  State Hospital reportedly arranged "tent therapy"
  to isolate TB patients. In doing so, it also
  opened the window to nature's healing. Other
  institutions followed suit.

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• San Francisco Psychiatric Hospital accommodated
  patients after the 1906 earthquake.
• Camp Ahmek in Algonquin Park, Ontario, was the
  first-ever all-boys club for therapeutic
  benefits, encouraging self-development and
  team-building spirit.
• Shortly after the success of Camp Ahmek, Camp
  Wapomeo was opened with a similar concept. This
  time, it was an all-girls camp.
• Fully functional therapeutic camps were
  operational by 1945. The most popular among them
  was the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, which
  offered residential camping and care for the
  emotional health of employee families.
• In 1941, famous educator Kurt Hahn laid the
  foundation of Outward Bound in Aberdovey, Wales.
• The concept reached its culmination in 1962 with
  the establishment of Outward Bound Colorado, when
  other programs took centre stage.

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What To Expect From Adventure Therapy

• According to a study, over ninety percent of AT
  participants saw a significant boost in mindset
  and behavioural patterns. They believed that
  being outdoors put them outside their comfort
  zone. Plus, a collaborative environment helped
  them acquire and nurture new skills.

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• Under trained respite care, the participants are
  led through several excursion activities like
  mountain and rope climbing, kayaking, surfing,
  and hiking. Such activities are designed to
  realise the importance of team building. So,
  working alongside others gives participants a
  better window into developing trust and following
  guided instructions to solve problems. Let's see
  how enrolling in an AT can change lives.

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Key Benefits Of Adventure Therapy

• Adventure therapy is widely recognised as a
  non-traditional approach. Yet, it remains true to
  core psychological concepts like experiential
  learning, cognitive behavioural therapy, and
  systems theory. Here's how it affects the psyche
  of an individual.

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• It's an antidote for post-traumatic stress (like
  overcoming the grief of losing someone),
  substance abuse, anxiety, depression, autism, and
  even schizophrenia.
• Its scientifically proven to lower cortisol
  levels.
• It's a wonderful way to unplug yourself from
  digital attachments like phones and laptops. With
  your nervous system aroused, you experience a
  better mood.
• It allows participants to discover new and unique
  mental traits through goal-based activities.
• It promises emotional healing by doing away with
  self-destructive habits to confront personal
  issues.
• This is particularly helpful for a neurological
  disorder like autism. ATs generally have
  dedicated support workers for autism patients,
  helping them feel at ease.
• It helps you accept yourself for your
  shortcomings and unique abilities equally.

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A Life Altering Experience Like No Other

• From self-reliance to identity development, every
  single bit is connected to the big picture. This
  is where a non-traditional approach like AT
  stands to pivot in connecting the dots. Whether a
  teen or an adult, signing up for adventure
  ability services could be an experience of a
  lifetime.