Kris Karge: Wilderness therapy gives teens a sense of belonging

Posted Monday, May 20, 2019 8:24 pm

It is a beautiful, azure blue, high desert western day, with juniper trees surrounding the campsite and an endless 360 degree view of mountains in the distance. I am visiting a group of teenage boys in a therapeutic wilderness therapy program and am immediately struck by the unmistakable scent of smoke mixed with teenage boys who have been living outside for weeks! This particular group of 10 teenagers ranges in age from 15-17 and are from all over the country.

They are a very lively and welcoming group and in their introduction circle with me, they candidly share some of their personal stories. One boy talks about being adopted and feeling like he doesn't fit in with his peers, another shares about his social anxiety at school and how he stopped going altogether, and another talked about his parents' divorce and fights at home. When I ask the group to tell me about the program, they light up with stories about summiting a peak with an incredible view, making a special meal together, and "busting their first coal" (making a fire without a match!). Some of the newer group members grumble about missing their cell phones and junk food but seem to be listening attentively to their peers talk nonetheless. This speaks to the benefits of the 24/7 group experience and how effective it is in meeting the fundamental need in adolescence to connect with peers and feel a sense of belonging.

Therapeutic wilderness therapy is an intensive therapeutic program that utilizes both traditional psychotherapy and the wilderness experience as treatment. These programs have evolved over the past two decades from working primarily with teens with behavioral challenges to very sophisticated and specialized therapeutic programs that address many concerns including: depression; anxiety; social communication challenges; family problems; behavioral problems such as defiance; lying and stealing; substance and technology abuse.

The length of stay ranges from 8 to 12 weeks. There are programs for pre-teens and teens (ages 11-17) and young adults (ages 18-26). Programs are located all over the country and in other parts of the world as well.

There are different wilderness therapy models. Most offer some version of nomadic camping, backpacking from one spot to another, and sleeping in tents or under tarps. Many programs incorporate a base camp with either cabins or comfortable tent cabins with heaters depending on the time of the year. Others offer a variety of outdoor adventure experiences that vary according to the season but may include hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, canyoneering, canoeing, white water rafting, skiing (both alpine and cross country), snowshoeing, and even dog sledding! Others incorporate community service, cultural exchanges, and organic gardening.

One unique advantage of a wilderness program is having a licensed individual therapist who is in the field at least two days a week providing both individual and group therapy. Two or three field guides are with the group the entire week. Many teens point to their relationship with their therapist or a particular field guide as one of the most impactful parts of the experience. Spending hours in the field together invites a different kind of sharing than can happen in a traditional outpatient therapy setting. Family therapy is central to all of the programs and accomplished through weekly parent calls with the therapist, letter assignments, educational parenting webinars and in person family therapy workshops.

The emotional, mental and physical challenges that are inherent to a wilderness program are by design and create a very powerful and effective group bonding experience that sets the stage for growth and healing. Of course, the wilderness is fundamental to the model and what differentiates this kind of program from traditional psychotherapy. It offers a "time out" from the demands of everyday life and employs nature as a means of tapping into innate skills, encouraging self-efficacy and building self-confidence. Therapeutic experiences present themselves daily and are worked through with guidance and support from staff and peers alike.

Finding the right fit for your teen is key to the success of the program. The therapist, program model, composition of the group and location are all important considerations. A parent can search the web or go to the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs website (natsap.org) to get an overview of the programs available. Many seek out the services of an educational and therapeutic placement consultant who has comprehensive knowledge and up to date information on the programs.

Kris Karge, MSW, is an independent educational and therapeutic placement consultant with an office in Burlington. She works locally and nationally helping families find treatment programs and schools. For more information, call 802-324-4276, email her at kkarge@newchapterconsulting.com or visit her website at newchapterconsulting.com). The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Brattleboro Reformer.