Outdoor Therapy Programs for Adolescents, Young Adults & Families
What Are Outdoor Therapy Programs?
At Legacy Outdoor Adventure, we are recognized as one of the premier wilderness therapy programs in Utah. Specifically tailored to adolescents, young adults, and families, we utilize the great outdoors to help provide mental health treatment. Outdoor therapy programs incorporate outdoor activities that help achieve specific therapeutic goals. These goals could encompass everything from building greater self-esteem to achieving personal growth, developing life-changing coping skills, and fostering self-discovery.
Another key aspect of this type of treatment program is to help young people who are struggling with various kinds of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral health issues, low self-confidence, substance abuse, and much more. Some of the many activities that you can expect to have the opportunity to participate in as part of our wilderness program include:
Another key aspect of this type of treatment program is to help young people who are struggling with various kinds of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral health issues, low self-confidence, substance abuse, and much more. Some of the many activities that you can expect to have the opportunity to participate in as part of our wilderness program include:
- Backpacking
- Rock climbing
- Back-country living
- Ropes course
- Mountain biking
- Fishing
- Technical canyoneering
- Summiting mountain peaks
- Team building activities
A Nature-Based Approach to Healing and Mental Health
At Legacy Outdoor Adventure, we believe that true and complete healing takes place outside of the walls of traditional treatment centers. Our approach is nature-based and uses the outdoors not just as a setting for treatment, but as a critical aspect of the healing process. We believe that this kind of unique treatment plan helps to promote greater self-growth and long-term healing. After all, nature is the “real world” and helps to create meaningful and life-changing experiences.
In today’s day and age, technology is everywhere you look, and social media use is more prevalent than ever before. You may even find yourself utilizing multiple different kinds of devices at once. In a world where there are constant distractions, it can be hard to focus on your mental health. However, when you take time to be in nature, those distractions begin to fall away, and you can focus on self-reflection, growth, and healing.
In today’s day and age, technology is everywhere you look, and social media use is more prevalent than ever before. You may even find yourself utilizing multiple different kinds of devices at once. In a world where there are constant distractions, it can be hard to focus on your mental health. However, when you take time to be in nature, those distractions begin to fall away, and you can focus on self-reflection, growth, and healing.
It’s important to note that taking part in adventure activities is not the only aspect of this type of treatment. Rather, mental health professionals incorporate evidence-based practices into the experience. This includes trauma-informed care, an important aspect of our Trauma First Program. Other practices that may be included within your treatments may be cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), individual and group therapy, and family therapy.
Our program is based on our belief that healing doesn’t just happen while sitting in a chair inside an office or residential treatment center. It can happen through new experiences, meeting new people, and trying things you might have once thought you would never do.
Our program is based on our belief that healing doesn’t just happen while sitting in a chair inside an office or residential treatment center. It can happen through new experiences, meeting new people, and trying things you might have once thought you would never do.
Who Can Benefit From Wilderness Therapy?
Designed for Struggling Teens and Young Adults
This type of wilderness therapy program is designed to help teens and young adults who may be struggling with a variety of different issues, including:
- Substance misuse
- Family conflict
- Behavioral health problems
- Unresolved trauma
- Low self-esteem
- Mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Chronic stress
- A lack of adequate coping skills
Perhaps you’re struggling with a variety of different things on this list. Or maybe you don’t know exactly what your main goal for treatment is at all yet. Our team can work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that will meet your specific needs.
Core Elements of a Wilderness Therapy Program
What Makes Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Effective
Outdoor behavioral healthcare is not only unique, but it is effective. Research and evidence throughout the years have shown that spending time in nature can not only improve your mental health, but it can also help to promote healing. Exposure to nature can help promote personal growth, emotional breakthroughs, self-reflection, and positive behavioral change. When nature and mental health treatment are combined, the results can be incredibly powerful.
One of the many reasons that outdoor behavioral healthcare is considered so effective is that it provides a distraction-free environment. The sensory overload that is often part of day-to-day life and the constant distraction of technology are removed. When all of that noise is taken out of the equation, it is easier to be fully present in the moment, which is critical for healing. Having the opportunity to be away from all those distractions can also greatly reduce your stress.
One of the many reasons that outdoor behavioral healthcare is considered so effective is that it provides a distraction-free environment. The sensory overload that is often part of day-to-day life and the constant distraction of technology are removed. When all of that noise is taken out of the equation, it is easier to be fully present in the moment, which is critical for healing. Having the opportunity to be away from all those distractions can also greatly reduce your stress.
Another reason why this treatment method is so effective is that you have the opportunity to learn from experiences. It is one thing to talk about positive changes you want to make in your life. However, it is a whole different experience to put that change into physical action. With wilderness therapy programs, the activities that you do help you to learn skills that you can attribute to solving real problems you may be going through.
This type of program can also be effective because it allows you to be in a supportive environment where you have the opportunity to connect with your peers. We utilize gender-specific care so that you can form meaningful relationships with people with whom you may share common interests. Peer support is one of the most critical parts of recovery and plays an important role in preventing relapse. Being surrounded by people who are going through similar struggles as you are can help to remind you that you’re not alone.
Finally, we know that having structure and a good routine is an important part of the recovery journey and healing process. With this type of program, you have the ability to follow a set daily routine that will include everything from adventure-based activities, therapy, group activities, and time to spend on your own for self-reflection. This can help you build greater self-discipline and healthy coping mechanisms for stress. You can then incorporate what you learn into your daily life back home.
This type of program can also be effective because it allows you to be in a supportive environment where you have the opportunity to connect with your peers. We utilize gender-specific care so that you can form meaningful relationships with people with whom you may share common interests. Peer support is one of the most critical parts of recovery and plays an important role in preventing relapse. Being surrounded by people who are going through similar struggles as you are can help to remind you that you’re not alone.
Finally, we know that having structure and a good routine is an important part of the recovery journey and healing process. With this type of program, you have the ability to follow a set daily routine that will include everything from adventure-based activities, therapy, group activities, and time to spend on your own for self-reflection. This can help you build greater self-discipline and healthy coping mechanisms for stress. You can then incorporate what you learn into your daily life back home.
Evidence-Based, Accredited Care
Why Accreditation and Clinical Oversight Matter
At Legacy Outdoor Adventure, we pride ourselves on offering evidence-based, accredited care. Accreditation means that our treatment programs have been evaluated by an outside program to make sure that they meet safety and ethics regulations. This also means that they have been found to not only be effective, but also incorporate the best possible practices for treating mental health. In addition, it means that safety is put first, and our facility is equipped to handle any medical emergencies or other crises that a participant may experience.
Accreditation and clinical oversight also help ensure that the types of treatments that are being used are evidence-based and tailored to each individual who enters the program. This involves making sure that the treatment that is being provided leads to progress and positive outcomes that can be measured. Finally, accreditation can help put both your mind and your loved one’s mind at ease, knowing that these treatment programs are held to high st
Accreditation and clinical oversight also help ensure that the types of treatments that are being used are evidence-based and tailored to each individual who enters the program. This involves making sure that the treatment that is being provided leads to progress and positive outcomes that can be measured. Finally, accreditation can help put both your mind and your loved one’s mind at ease, knowing that these treatment programs are held to high st
Residential and Outpatient Pathways After Outdoor Therapy
Building on Progress Toward Long-Term Healing
When it comes to long-term recovery, outdoor therapy can provide a great starting point, but it is not the end of the journey. Continued care is often necessary to ensure that you stay on track and continue making progress toward your treatment goals. This is why residential and outpatient options are often an effective next step.
These programs help to provide structure and allow you to stay connected with peers that you have met along the way. This can help to hold you accountable and prevent isolation, which in turn can help prevent relapse. The stability that these types of programs provide is great for those who may have completed the initial stages of treatment, but aren’t yet ready to return to their normal lives. Most importantly, these programs help to make sure that you can continue moving forward as you work toward long-term healing.
These programs help to provide structure and allow you to stay connected with peers that you have met along the way. This can help to hold you accountable and prevent isolation, which in turn can help prevent relapse. The stability that these types of programs provide is great for those who may have completed the initial stages of treatment, but aren’t yet ready to return to their normal lives. Most importantly, these programs help to make sure that you can continue moving forward as you work toward long-term healing.
Locations for Wilderness Therapy Programs
At Legacy Outdoor Adventure, we offer trusted programs in Utah, Colorado, Idaho, and North Carolina. Each of these locations has many positive attributes that make it an ideal space for healing and self-reflection. These locations offer a variety of different kinds of terrain that is perfect for a wide variety of adventure therapy activities such as mountain biking, backpacking, kayaking, and much more. They also each offer their own kind of awe-inspiring views that can help promote inner peace, healing, and personal growth.
For Families: Rebuilding Relationships and Restoring Hope
Healing Involves the Whole Family System
We know that when one person struggles with a mental health disorder or related issue, it can affect the entire family system. Therefore, when it comes to healing, it is important that the family be involved as well. The type of treatment programs we utilize at Legacy Outdoor Adventure helps families to grow and heal together. Because support in recovery is so important, this also helps to ensure that you’ll have your family unit to rely on.
There are many different ways that mental health struggles and substance use can impact a family. They can lead to broken trust, miscommunication, and strained relationships. Family therapy can help to work toward repairing each of these things and strengthening the family unit as a whole.
At Legacy Outdoor Adventure, we offer family therapy sessions that can help strengthen communication and understanding between your loved ones. We also include family members in aftercare planning, which can help ensure they know how to best support you as you move forward with your recovery.
There are many different ways that mental health struggles and substance use can impact a family. They can lead to broken trust, miscommunication, and strained relationships. Family therapy can help to work toward repairing each of these things and strengthening the family unit as a whole.
At Legacy Outdoor Adventure, we offer family therapy sessions that can help strengthen communication and understanding between your loved ones. We also include family members in aftercare planning, which can help ensure they know how to best support you as you move forward with your recovery.
Adventure With Purpose: More Than a “Boot Camp”
Challenging Misconceptions About Outdoor Therapy
Some people mistakenly think of adventure therapy as a type of military-style boot camp. In reality, it is an evidence-based type of treatment that incorporates nature. It is about empowering people to become the best version of themselves by helping them build critical life skills. While there are certainly challenges included with this type of treatment, the challenges are purpose-based and not about “toughening you up” as some may think.
Adventure therapy is also not intended to be viewed as any kind of punishment. It is a compassionate kind of care meant to help you heal.
Adventure therapy is also not intended to be viewed as any kind of punishment. It is a compassionate kind of care meant to help you heal.
FAQs About Outdoor Therapy Programs
What is the goal of outdoor therapy programs?
The goal of outdoor therapy programs is to help promote positive, long-term mental, emotional, and behavioral change. It is meant to utilize nature to help an individual heal from a variety of different conditions, whether it be anxiety, depression, or substance misuse. These programs can help build greater resilience, encourage better self-esteem, teach problem-solving skills, and much more.
How is wilderness therapy different from boot camps?
Wilderness therapy is not a military style training camp that is intended to toughen you up. This program does have challenges, but they are purpose-based and are intended to help treat specific mental, emotional, and behavioral health problems. It is a compassionate form of treatment that incorporates nature and evidence-based therapy to help promote long-term healing. It is also important to note that participants have a say in what types of activities they would prefer to partake in, and they can choose activities they will enjoy.
Are these programs only for troubled teens?
No, programs like these can help a variety of different people from all walks of life find lasting healing. Our program is specifically tailored to adolescents, young adults, and their families. These individuals may be struggling with a wide variety of mental health issues.
How long do wilderness therapy programs last?
The length of time can depend on an individual’s unique needs and situation, as well as the type of program itself.
Is outdoor therapy covered by insurance?
How much of the program insurance may be covered depends on your specific insurance plan. At Legacy Outdoor Adventure, we provide information to your insurance program for authorization during the admissions process.
What happens after the program ends?
Prior to the end of the program, we will work with you to determine an aftercare plan to meet your specific needs and situation. This will help you to know what the next steps you should be taking for continued care moving forward. Your plan may include anything from an inpatient or outpatient treatment program, continued therapy, medication management, and more.
Are these programs safe?
Yes, our programs prioritize safety-first and are accredited.
