Adventure Therapy
The addiction and mental health professionals at Legacy Outdoor Adventure use adventure therapy and other forms of experiential learning to treat substance abuse and mental health issues. We treat individuals 18 and older experiencing substance use disorder (SUD), trauma, or mental health issues. The natural setting and outdoor activities provide a unique approach to addiction and mental health recovery.
When Did Nature Stop Being “The Real World?”
Legacy Outdoor Adventure utilizes the natural environment surrounding the program’s base of operations in Loa, Utah. This diverse range of landscapes includes slick-rock canyons, colorful high desert, awe-inspiring mountains, forested plateaus, and pristine lakes and streams. The beautiful natural setting offers clients the opportunity to engage in meaningful and therapeutic outdoor experiences that are integrated into their treatment program.
The Role of Adventure Therapy in the Path to Recovery
At Legacy Outdoor Adventure, we believe healing is enhanced through adventure experiences that foster empowerment and the development of self-efficacy. Through activities such as rock climbing, canyoneering, backpacking, and mountain biking, clients face and overcome challenges within a safe and supportive environment that is specifically designed to meet their needs. Research indicates that an increase in self-efficacy (i.e., the ability to effectively exert control over one’s current experience) also leads to improved performance in other areas of life, including school, work, and relationships.
Wilderness & Adventure Together
Legacy Outdoor Adventure draws from the field of adventure therapy to complement the healing power of nature-based therapy. Traditional nature-based treatment is characterized by immersion in the wild with caring guides, unavoidable successes, and deliberate time for contemplation. Integrating adventure therapy into this tradition encourages clients to invest in their own treatment and helps them learn to have fun in a healthy way.
The natural world routinely presents seemingly insurmountable challenges. The power of the lessons learned in overcoming these challenges is a fundamental component of our approach to treatment. We deliberately create opportunities that may appear difficult or uncomfortable, and then support and empower our clients to achieve success. We then carefully process the experience to maximize our clients’ growth. Successive cycles of facing and overcoming obstacles develop self-efficacy and resilience, enhancing confidence in overcoming life’s challenges.
Adventures include:
- Technical canyoneering (descending slot canyons using rappelling and downclimbing)
- Rock climbing
- Mountain biking
- Backpacking
- Summiting mountain peaks
- Fishing
- Backcountry camping
- Solo experiences
- Ropes course
- Kayaking
- Team building activities
We tailor every activity to the skill level and recovery goals of the individuals participating in it. Our healthcare professionals have decades of combined experience using therapeutic adventure activities to teach essential life skills. We offer adventure therapy in all our outpatient and residential treatment programs.
How Does Adventure Therapy Encourage Personal Growth?
Adventure-based therapy complements traditional treatments, such as group therapy and individual psychotherapy, by encouraging personal growth and healing in real-world settings. According to Brain Sciences, “[E]xercise programs, designed to impart life skills through cooperative trust and support activities, as well as high adventure activities [. . .] prioritize comprehensive skill development, encompassing goal-setting, time management, emotional control, communication, social interaction, leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making—all seamlessly integrated into the context of the treatment.” Adventure therapy allows clients to learn beside peers while engaging in skill-building group activities.
Community Activities Foster Resilience and Build Self-Esteem
Evidence-based therapies combined with outdoor activities provide a more holistic approach to addiction and mental health treatment. Physical challenges can boost self-confidence by showing people they possess more power and strength than they initially believed. Young adults and individuals with low self-esteem often find outdoor therapeutic intervention life-changing.
Some of the skills taught in outdoor therapy include:
- Creative problem-solving
- Social skills
- Effective communication
Peer Support and Adventure Therapy
During each session, an adventure therapist guides clients through the process of achieving a specific goal. A shared goal fosters teamwork, enhances interpersonal skills, and boosts self-confidence. Peer support plays a critical role in the recovery process by reducing feelings of loneliness, alienation, or isolation. According to SSM Population Health, research studies have “observed that nature-based therapies that were delivered in groups were associated with the largest and most consistent effects across mental health outcomes and across all pooled analyses.” Legacy Outdoor Adventure uses wilderness therapy to treat addiction and mental illness. We believe the positive effects of spending time in nature with a peer group can improve treatment outcomes for individuals with SUD or mental health disorders.
The Healing Power of Nature in Wilderness Therapy
Ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients remains our top priority in all treatment programs. The short-term and long-term positive effects of spending time in nature make adventure therapy an excellent tool for establishing and maintaining healthy recovery routines. We use the healing power of nature to help our clients regain control of their lives and build hope for the future.
FAQ About Adventure Therapy Programs at Legacy Outdoor Adventure
Below are some commonly asked questions about our adventure therapy programs.
Do I have to be physically fit to participate in adventure activities?
We understand that everyone has a different level of physical fitness, which various factors, including overall health and chronic medical issues, can impact. Our experts assess each client to determine the types of physical activity they can safely and comfortably engage in during adventure therapy. We tailor therapeutic activities to the skill level and physical fitness of each individual within the group. Our care team may also consult with medical professionals to ensure we keep clients safe and healthy.
Outdoor therapy can significantly enhance physical health and alleviate symptoms of certain chronic conditions. Even spending 15 minutes outside in nature can reduce stress and anxiety. We encourage all clients, including those with disabilities or other limitations, to participate in low-stress outdoor activities to enhance their mental and physical well-being.
Do you use adventure therapy to address co-occurring mental health issues?
We treat primary mental health, addiction, and trauma. Our adventure therapy programs address co-occurring conditions by teaching clients to build healthy coping skills. The modality we use to treat mental health may vary between clients. We employ a personalized approach to client care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our clients. Adventure therapy has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive episodes in individuals with mental health disorders. The activities also reduce feelings of loneliness or ambivalence. People often feel more motivated when they engage with peers in positive environments.
What are the physical health benefits of adventure therapy?
Our outdoor therapeutic interventions build stamina, resilience, strength, and self-awareness. The physical benefits of outdoor therapy include:
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Increased physical activity
- Boosted immune system
- Less severe symptoms related to stress or anxiety
- Increased coordination
- Improved quality of life
Outdoor treatment has benefits for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.
Do wilderness therapy programs offer psychotherapy and counseling?
Clients participating in wilderness therapy have a trained adventure therapist available to guide them through each activity. The therapist combines experiential therapeutic techniques with psychotherapy and other modalities. We also offer individual and group counseling sessions. Outdoor therapy complements traditional talk therapy sessions by helping clients enhance their communication skills and foster trust with the care team.
Legacy Outdoor Adventure uses wilderness therapy and other therapeutic modalities to treat substance use disorder and mental health disorders. To learn more about our outdoor programs, call us today at (435) 836-2272.