Wilderness Therapy

Wilderness therapy, sometimes known as outdoor behavioral healthcare, is an experiential, adventure-based therapeutic treatment style that takes place in a wilderness setting. Wilderness therapy is typically targeted at adolescents and young adults and uses expeditions into the wilderness as a way to address behavioral issues or mental health problems. Wilderness therapy is used in both individual and group settings and its primary goal is usually behavior modification and/or self-improvement. Participants develop communication skills, self-confidence, learn how to work in groups and how to rely on their own knowledge and strengths. Think this approach might be right for you (or a young person in your care)? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s wilderness therapy experts today.

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Work in nature enables us to use metaphor and experiencing to heal and more deeply understand ourselves. Its benefits are innumerable. I offer counseling combined with time in nature to provide you with increased benefit. We will collaboratively design a treatment plan that brings more nature into your life in ways that work for you. This can be accomplished through walk and talk therapy in the forest, sitting in a peaceful setting by the pond, or in almost any way we can imagine!

— Sabrina Merz, Counselor in Boulder, CO

My research in graduate school focused on the healing powers of being outdoors. I have an extensive background in working in Wilderness Education and have seen the impact of being outside on the mental health of clients and for myself. Wilderness Therapy is one of many modalities that increases our time and experiences in the out of doors which has been shown to have positive impacts on a variety of both Mental health and Physical health conditions.

— Marie Graven, Counselor in Swannanoa, NC
 

I have 9+ years of experience within outdoor education, wilderness therapy guiding, nature connection, and primitive skills. I have worked within a variety of different settings and system configurations to do this work. For example, I have facilitated a weekend of family therapy while camping in the San Juan Mountains and I have guided a day hike for a group of youth activists on retreat in the Sierra Nevada in California.

— Mary Beth Johnson, Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Denver, CO

I worked in this field and saw positive results for children as well as families.

— Russell Murray, Counselor in Asheville, NC
 

I find great benefit in walk and talk therapy, gardening and activity based therapies.

— Sarah Vogt, Clinical Social Worker in West Bend, WI

Whenever possible and appropriate, I find it tremendously helpful to have sessions outside in natural settings. There is a lot of research that shows that time spent in nature helps to settle our nervous system, but beyond that, a primary goal of nature-based therapy is to find points of connection (such as metaphors, patterns, behaviors) with nature. These connections allow reflection about the challenges that brought you to therapy and what solutions might exist in the natural world.

— Nick Magle-Haberek, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
 

17 years experience facilitating groups in wilderness settings (backpacking, canoeing, earth-based ceremonies)

— Bryce Downey, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Albuquerque, NM

Restoring relationship to nature and connecting to self. Creating safety and grounding within your environment.

— Nica Ayala, Associate Professional Counselor
 

I offer walk-and-talk therapy sessions in beautiful environments. I believe that nature has calming benefits and moving the body while talking about difficult topics can help with anxiety.

— Jennifer Jolly, Counselor in , AL