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Wilderness Therapy for Houston Residents

Legacy Outdoor Adventures offers wilderness therapy for Houston, Texas, residents seeking treatment for substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders. Our gender-specific addiction treatment programs use evidence-based and holistic therapies to teach essential life skills and prepare clients for lasting sobriety.

We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans

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University of Utah Health insurance logo

Our Wilderness Therapy Program for Houston Residents

We treat people aged 18 and older struggling with substance use disorder or dual diagnosis. Our modern, clinically grounded therapeutic program uses experiential therapy and skill development instead of the punitive boot camp model used by other wilderness therapy programs. We empower clients with the tools to manage their condition and maintain lasting sobriety. The serene natural setting, personalized programs, and evidence-based therapies offer people a safe space for healing and personal growth. 

Why Houston Families Seek Out-of-State Treatment

Families in Houston, TX, may not have access to the same level of personalized care our residential programs provide. We use adventure therapy, clinical modalities, peer support, family therapy, tailored treatment plans, and a whole-person approach to recovery to reduce relapse risk and improve program adherence. Legacy Outdoor Adventures offers more structure, support, and high-quality care than local Houston treatment options. 

Adventure Therapy for Young Adults From Houston, TX

Our licensed residential treatment program focuses holistically on personal growth and lasting recovery. We have a 90-day primary treatment program with a structured daily schedule, where clients participate in clinical therapy four days per week and adventure therapy or outdoor activities three days per week. The low client-to-staff support model allows us to offer a holistic approach to addiction and mental health recovery that supports lasting change through truly customized care. 

A person wearing a helmet stands on a lake shore looking at mountains, next to a red mountain bike.

Why Houston Families Choose Us

Our approach to treatment goes beyond traditional models by combining clinical sophistication, structured care, and measurable outcomes. At Legacy, every aspect of the program is intentionally designed to support deep, lasting healing, not just short-term stabilization.

Adventure Therapy Integrated With Clinical Treatment

Our program combines adventure therapy three days per week with over 20 hours of structured clinical therapy. This balanced approach helps clients apply therapeutic insights in real-world settings, building resilience, confidence, and emotional regulation in a way that traditional settings often cannot replicate.

Individualized, Whole-Person Treatment
Plans

Every client receives a personalized treatment plan based on a comprehensive evaluation of their mental health, substance use, trauma history, and lifestyle factors. We treat the whole person by integrating clinical care, experiential work, and personal development into one cohesive process.

Trauma-Informed, Clinically Sophisticated
Approach

All care is delivered through a trauma-informed lens, ensuring emotional safety while addressing the underlying drivers of substance use and mental health challenges. Our licensed clinicians provide advanced therapeutic interventions in a structured, supportive environment.

Structured Residential Setting With High Clinical Engagement

As a licensed residential treatment center (RTC), we provide a highly structured environment that supports consistency, accountability, and focus. Clients engage in a full weekly schedule of therapy, adventure-based experiences, and guided reflection designed to promote sustainable change.

Low Client-to-Staff Ratio and Personalized
Attention

With a limited number of clients, our team is able to provide focused, individualized attention. This allows for deeper therapeutic relationships, more responsive care, and a treatment experience tailored to each client’s needs and goals.

Aftercare & Long-Term Recovery
Planning

We believe in comprehensive care and, as such, work with clients for long-term recovery planning. The Summit Graduation Phase is our way of ensuring that clients transition from treatment with the skills and planning needed for success. This program is embedded in our 90-day program and includes referrals and resources for further support post-treatment. 

Getting Started Is Easy

Our admissions team makes it easy for individuals and families to get the help they need to successfully recover from substance use disorder.

Step 1: Call to Speak to Admissions

Reach out to our compassionate admissions team for a confidential discussion about your unique needs and to begin the assessment process.

Step 2: Complete Application

Our specialists will help you verify your insurance and explore personalized treatment options, including our 90-day residential program.

Step 3: Verify Benefits

We’ll coordinate your arrival at our Utah location and begin your personalized treatment plan, ensuring a smooth start to your recovery.

Benefits of Our Residential Adventure Therapy Program

Residential clients benefit from our integrative approach to therapeutic intervention. Our tailored care plans, gender-specific programming, combined with clinical and experiential services, give clients a solid foundation for a healthier future. 

Individualized Treatment Plans

Our care team works closely with clients to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses all active and underlying issues impacting their physical and emotional wellness. The small program sizes allow us to tailor services and amenities to the needs and preferences of each person. 

Individualized care plans are combined with a structured daily schedule to ensure accountability and motivate people to continue making progress toward their recovery goals. Our program flexibility allows us to quickly and effectively adjust care plans as client needs change during treatment. 

Gender-Specific Programming

Many people with substance use disorder have co-occurring mental health disorders or underlying issues they might not feel comfortable discussing with peers of the opposite gender. Group therapy and activities may cause additional discomfort for some people with a history of trauma related to the opposite gender. 

Our gender-specific, trauma-informed care creates a welcoming environment where men and women can feel supported and safe. We also accommodate individuals who may identify as gender neutral or gender fluid. Our care team collaborates with clients to determine which program will give them the best treatment outcome. 

Individual and Group Therapy

Group and individual therapy sessions provide a space for processing, mutual peer support, and sharing. Clinicians use evidence-based therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), tailored to the unique needs of each client within the context of the group. We also integrate adventure therapy and other experiential modalities into clinical therapy sessions. 

Group and individual therapy take place four days a week with specific areas of focus for each group session. Our programs have an outcome-oriented focus that uses therapy sessions to build skills, change problematic behaviors or thought patterns, and prepare clients for lasting recovery. 

Wilderness Expeditions for Life Skills

Adventure and wilderness therapy, or other forms of experiential therapy, provide clients with an opportunity to practice teamwork, build essential life skills, and create healthy social connections. Activities like hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking give clients achievable challenges to overcome using the skills they learn in individual and group therapy. 

Many clients benefit from the natural setting and experience reduced stress, improved mood, and increased positivity after spending time outside with others. Our outdoor therapy sessions encourage people to embrace their inner strength, build resilience, and practice self-reflection. Young people especially benefit from the integrative approach and alternative holistic therapies we provide in our wilderness program.
A smiling woman with a red backpack and sun hat walks along a rocky trail during a therapeutic nature hike.
The warm and inviting interior of a therapy office, featuring comfortable couches and calming decor, designed to create a safe and private environment for individual or group counseling.

Medication Management

We offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT), psychiatric support, and medication management when needed to ensure client safety and overall wellness. People with complex conditions, such as multiple co-occurring disorders or chronic health conditions, may require prescription medications to manage symptoms and side effects. 

For example, clients with co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may need medication to reduce anxiety, depression, and other symptoms. Managing co-occurring conditions and symptoms of withdrawal or mental health issues allows clients to focus more fully on their recovery during rehabilitation. We offer medication management only when appropriate for the health of the client. 

Accreditations

The State of Utah licenses Legacy Outdoor Adventures as a provider of mental health and addiction treatment and as a Residential Treatment Center (RTC). This includes accreditation from the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council (OBH), as well as from other leaders in mental and behavioral healthcare.

Petree Consulting Inc

Treating Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

Addiction recovery requires simultaneous treatment of any co-occurring mental health disorders. Symptoms like depression and anxiety may significantly impact the outcome of treatment unless addressed appropriately. We use psychotherapy, prescription medications, peer support, family therapy, skill development, and holistic modalities to support clients with dual diagnosis. In addition, dual diagnosis treatment generally involves additional group therapy sessions with a focus on mental wellness or trauma recovery. 

Our experts have the resources to treat the most common co-occurring disorders. However, Legacy Outdoor Adventures also offers referrals for clients who may need additional outside support for chronic health conditions. Our clinical team tailors treatment plans to ensure each client receives the necessary care to manage all active conditions. 

Meet Your Care Team

Dr. Madolyn Liebing

Clinical Consultant
Ph.D. Psychologist, LMFT

Devon Nanton

Primary Counselor
SUDC

Justin Swensen

Clinical Director
LMFT
Portrait of a team member wearing a Legacy Outdoor Adventures hat, representing trauma-informed care and guidance.

Troy Faddis

Clinical Supervisor & Family Therapy Specialist
LMFT
Three women share a laugh while leaning against a wooden fence in an open, rural outdoor setting.

Building Hope and Healing Through Our Family Program

Every family member carries some form of trauma or emotional scar from the effects of their loved one’s substance abuse. We help families grow stronger and closer by guiding them through the process of healing together. Legacy Outdoor Adventures offers family therapy and other support services that bring hope and healthy changes to close relationships. 

Family therapy sessions involve a combination of clinical psychotherapy and psychoeducation that ensure family members understand the realities of addiction and their loved one’s condition. 

Recognizing When a Young Adult Needs Residential Treatment

Young people may need higher levels of care to successfully recover from addiction and mental health disorders. Families may not know when to intervene on their loved one’s behalf and seek residential treatment. Some common warning signs that a young person may need residential care include not responding to traditional outpatient rehab programs or chronic relapse. Our programs offer greater personalization, structure, and accountability. We help families navigate the admissions process to create a smooth transition into our treatment center. 

Recognizing When a Young Adult Needs Residential Treatment Outside Houston, TX

Young adults often benefit from wilderness therapy and other programs that use alternative forms of treatment to enhance the effectiveness of traditional addiction therapy. Legacy Outdoor Adventures uses clinical psychotherapy, trauma-focused modalities, and wilderness-based therapy to help young adults find true healing through adventure.

Families may need to look for professional support outside of Houston, Texas, if their loved one has not responded to local treatment options. Our dedicated clinicians have decades of experience successfully treating young adults with substance use disorder and dual diagnosis. We work closely with out-of-state families to ensure they make informed decisions about their loved one’s care. 

What others are saying

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilderness therapy programs for troubled teens often involve mandatory physical activities, daily chores, and a strict schedule. However, we do not use punitive measures; our team sets clients up to succeed in their recovery by providing addiction, mental health, and relapse prevention education, emotional support, life skills development, and accountability. 

Treatment at Legacy Outdoor Adventures addresses the root causes of addiction and behavioral problems without judgment. We help clients gain self-awareness and learn how to process trauma, regulate emotions, communicate effectively, set healthy boundaries, and create healthy coping skills. 

Our team also encourages family members to participate in treatment through various support services. Family therapy gives loved ones an opportunity to play an active role in the recovery process. Often, family therapy helps young adults overcome the underlying causes of maladaptive behaviors.

Most people move through a continuum of care that starts with medical detox followed by the option of moving through residential and outpatient programs. Residential treatment at Legacy generally lasts between 90 and 120 days. Our clinical team monitors weekly progress and adjusts treatment plans and lengths of stay as needed to meet the individual needs of each client. 

Weekly progress check-ins increase client self-awareness and encourage collaboration with the care team. Clients have the opportunity to extend their stay if they require or desire additional support as they navigate early recovery before transitioning to outpatient programs. 

Survival programs may use adventure or wilderness therapy combined with boot-camp-like punitive measures to motivate people. The activities of other programs involve survival training, days or weeks of outdoor camping, and hardcore physical or psychological challenges. 

Legacy Outdoor Adventures does not utilize these extreme measures. Our team creates outdoor therapeutic activities designed to address specific behavioral issues. We tailor experiential education sessions to the skill level, physical fitness, and preferences of each client.