Adventure Therapy for Adolescents and Young Adults From North Carolina
Our licensed residential treatment center uses outdoor therapeutic experiences to teach basic life skills and effective ways to manage addiction or mental health issues in the real world. Licensing and accreditation from trusted agencies allow us to treat adults 18 years and older at our Utah location.
Additionally, we may refer struggling teens to local facilities in North Carolina. Several programs offer wilderness therapy in North Carolina, including Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness Programs in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Blue Ridge treats adolescents and teens under 18 with mental health issues and substance use disorder.
A Licensed Residential Treatment Center Experience
Legacy Outdoor Adventures is a licensed residential center that employs experienced guides and clinicians to support clients through wilderness and outdoor therapy. We teach clients basic life skills and provide critical tools for long-term recovery. All of our team members have professional experience helping men and women recover from substance abuse.
How Adventure Therapy Supports Mental Health and Recovery
Adventure therapy and other forms of experiential therapy use hands-on experiences to provide valuable insights and teach practical coping skills. Outdoor therapy sessions promote positive mental health and support recovery from substance use by giving people a safe and structured environment where they can recover and grow. Treatment programs at Legacy Outdoor Adventures address behavioral health issues, trauma, and underlying causes of addiction using trauma-informed care and evidence-based modalities.
Trauma-Informed Care Without Punitive Wilderness Models
Outcome-Informed Treatment With Weekly Progress Monitoring
Evidence-Based Adventure Therapy Led by Licensed Clinicians
Evidence-Based Therapies Used in Our Adventure Therapy Program
Some of the evidence-based therapies we use in our adventure therapy program include:
- Adventure-based and experimental therapy for mental health
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy
- Family systems work
- Group and individual therapy
We encourage family members to actively participate in the treatment process by attending family therapy sessions.
How Adventure Therapy Supports Mental Health and Recovery
Spending time in nature reduces physical and psychological stress, promotes emotional regulation, and builds resilience. Every therapy session is designed to help you reach specific goals in your recovery journey. In addition to providing comprehensive emotional support, adventure therapy also gives you a way to build healthy social connections that can support lasting sobriety and positive lifestyle changes.
Building Coping Skills for Daily Life After Treatment
The experts at Legacy Outdoor Adventures use skill development and therapeutic modalities to prepare people for long-term recovery. Clients learn to regulate moods and emotions, communicate effectively, seek healthy forms of support, and manage their condition. Wilderness therapy activities, such as camping, backpacking, and outdoor group therapy, encourage people to learn practical coping skills and relapse-prevention strategies.
Strengthening Self-Esteem Through Structured Challenge
Our treatment plans provide structure and accountability for young people in rehabilitation. Clinicians use proven methods to help clients build self-esteem, self-confidence, and resilience. Legacy Outdoor Adventures offers personalized services designed to ensure each person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness.
We consider each client’s health, outdoor experience, and skill level when developing wilderness therapy sessions. By challenging clients without setting unrealistic goals, our team promotes personal growth and increased self-esteem.
Translating Outdoor Therapy Into Real-World Functioning
All of the skills learned during treatment reduce the risk of relapse during aftercare and ongoing recovery. Most people use the skills they learn in wilderness therapy for the rest of their lives.
After completing our program, young adults can confidently navigate stressors or setbacks using practical coping skills. Outdoor activities give people the chance to apply therapeutic skills in real-world settings in a low-stress environment, making them more likely to use those skills in the future.
Heal in the wild.Begin your recovery adventure now.
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders We Treat
Some of the substance use and mental health disorders we treat include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) and other mood disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- Personality disorders
- Prescription drug abuse
- Addiction to illicit substances
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Dual diagnosis treatment involves an integrative approach to care that combines experiential, talk, and family therapy to improve treatment outcomes. However, young adults may have additional needs during treatment for dual diagnosis. Luckily, our team has decades of experience helping young adults heal from the effects of addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges.
Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders
Many people with SUD have co-occurring trauma or mental health issues. We treat co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders using tailored treatment and peer support. Our programs address underlying trauma and complex side effects, such as self-harm and emotional dysregulation. Clinicians have the experience and resources to safely treat complicated co-occurring conditions.
Family Therapy and Support for Loved Ones
Legacy Outdoor Adventures uses family therapy and support to strengthen or repair family dynamics and ensure clients have a nurturing home environment for aftercare. Family therapy is a part of the treatment plan for most clients, and it might involve therapeutic sessions with blood relatives, caregivers, chosen family, or close friends. Anyone who plays a profound role in a client’s life has the option to participate in family therapy.
We continue to serve and guide families after their loved one transitions into outpatient programs or aftercare. Family members also have access to continued support through alumni services and community events.
Supporting Loved Ones Throughout the Recovery Process
Families can support their loved one during rehabilitation by attending all family therapy sessions, educating themselves on the realities of recovery, and joining support groups for families of individuals with addiction or mental health disorders. Actively participating in treatment gives families the space to heal and grow together. Most people feel more confident in their ability to maintain sobriety after treatment if they have a supportive family willing to engage in the recovery process.
Ready for an adventure in healing?Discover our unique wilderness therapy programs.
A Supportive, Structured Adventure Therapy Environment
Our residential wilderness therapy treatment program has medical and outdoor experts on staff to provide safety, supervision, and healthcare oversight. The clinically led outdoor therapy sessions do not follow a survival or boot camp structure; instead, they focus on mutual empowerment among peers and skill development through everyday activities. Our support does not end after rehabilitation. After clients complete treatment, we provide alumni support, continued connection with the sober community, and long-term accountability.
A Purpose-Driven Alternative to Traditional Wilderness Camps
We offer a purpose-driven alternative to wilderness camps that use survival scenarios and more stressful activities to traditionally pressure struggling young people to make significant changes in a short period of time. Instead of a harsh boot camp, we use empathy, compassion, and expert care to help people heal from SUD, mental health disorders, or dual diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. We offer comprehensive, personalized treatment to individuals and families in every state, including North Carolina. However, our facility is located in a serene, natural setting in Utah. Our intake specialists can provide additional information about our facility and assist with travel planning.
We do offer referrals to local North Carolina adventure programs for adolescents and teens under the age of 18. Our programs only treat men and women aged 18 or older. However, we can help parents or caregivers of troubled teens find resources and treatment that meet their needs.
Both types of therapy involve outdoor activities designed to support recovery and personal growth. However, adventure therapy often feels more intense and adrenaline-driven compared to the more immersive wilderness therapy.
Adventure therapy may include the following:
- Rock climbing
- Skydiving
- Off-roading
- Camping
- Fishing trips
- Multi-day trail walking
Some people in recovery feel more settled and have an easier time regulating their emotions if they regularly engage in high-adrenaline activities. Other clients may find low-stress, immersive wilderness experiences more helpful for grounding. We collaborate closely with clients and their families to create outdoor therapy sessions that address the specific needs of each person.
Anyone who has a history of relapse, complex or persistent symptoms, and multiple co-occurring conditions may benefit from residential treatment. Many people believe you need to be an outdoorsman to participate in adventure or wilderness therapy. However, anyone can benefit from spending time outdoors engaging in meaningful activities, regardless of skill level or personal experience.
Legacy Outdoor Adventures carefully screens program applicants to ensure they meet the physical and health requirements for our treatment options. We have activities that accommodate all levels of skill and physical fitness to ensure people who need help have access to high-quality addiction and mental health care.
Yes. Our residential wilderness and adventure therapy program provides a safe, structured space for teens and young adults aged 18 and older. The guides, clinicians, and support staff have experience helping young people take back control of their lives and build a foundation for lasting sobriety.
All potential clients undergo assessments and screenings to ensure we can accommodate any behavioral, physical, or psychological issues that may impact their ability to participate in outdoor treatment. Most young adults find wilderness and adventure therapy more engaging than traditional talk therapy and indoor group sessions. The sense of freedom and connection with nature improves mood and emotional regulation during treatment.
Yes, we do! Legacy Outdoor Adventures uses a holistic, trauma-informed approach to treat mental health disorders and underlying trauma impacting recovery. Young people with SUD often have a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or trauma. We address trauma, triggers, side effects of mental health issues, and maladaptive family dynamics to ensure clients feel confident in their ability to maintain sobriety and positive mental health after transitioning out of rehabilitation.
We have the resources to treat multiple co-occurring mental health disorders, reducing the risk of relapse for clients with complex psychological and addiction issues.
