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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Meet the specialists

 

I provide ecotherapy in multiple ways, by engaging Spirit during sessions, facilitating therapy sessions at outdoor trails and parks, altar building, integrating herbalism and more!

— Mara Martinez-Hewitt, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

wilderness therapy

— Tania Adams, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Gig Harbor, WA
 

Retreats are my favorite unique delivery system for therapy. It's intensive, accelerated, focused on providing all the safe and soft places for a person to dig their deepest to connect with their inner most wounded inner child and hurt places. When you include unplugging, solitude, forest bathing, mother nature supported, gentleness of all that is natural and organic - including delicious nurturing food prepared for you with love and a hot tub under the stars for starters.

— Dee Deville, Social Worker in , MT

I wrote my dissertation on wilderness therapy with youth at risk. I believe strongly in nature as a healing modality. I try to incorporate that into the work I do with all my clients.

— Rami Vissell, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Aptos, CA
 

I have a background in wilderness therapy and outdoor behavioral health. I have hopes of beginning the first active wilderness therapy program for teens (not counting substance use programs) in the state of Virginia within the next 5 years.

— David Gosling, Licensed Professional Counselor

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.

— Marie Graven, Counselor in Swannanoa, NC
 

I worked as a field guide at a wilderness therapy program for adolescents struggling with a variety of mental health and behavioral issues. In my years working in the field, I rose through the ranks to become a Master Field Instructor, all the while developing a passion for the therapeutic benefits of nature therapy with adolescent boys and eventually working as a therapist at the same program.

— Josh Gorelick, Addictions Counselor in Charlotte, NC

While I do not offer traditional Wilderness Therapy, I do offer Nature Based Therapy. This often looks like incorporating the natural world around us into each session either through mindfulness, movement, or grounding practices! I practice on a 20 acre farm in the St. Croix Valley, so the natural beauty is abundant.

— Kelly Kennedy-Johnson, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Afton, MN