Adventure-Based Therapy

Adventure-based therapy is a therapeutic approach that utilizes multiple activities for groups or individuals, typically in an outdoor setting. Activities within adventure-based therapy include, but are not limited to, ropes courses, cooperative group games, guided journaling, and outdoor pursuits. Although applied differently based on the setting, adventure-based therapy tends to be founded on solution-focused and humanistic theories, which stress self-reflection, the importance of experience in the change process, and action if change is to occur. Three common models seen in adventure-based therapy are (1) Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, (2) the double diamond model, and (3) the adventure-based counseling model. The approach has multiple goals, the most common being team-building through group cooperation, cognitive and behavioral change through experiential learning, and stress relief through journaling and ...