The Wilderness Enhanced Model for Holistic Strategic Intervention. (original) (raw)
Related papers
Child & Youth Care Forum, 2004
Wilderness Programs (WP) are specialized frameworks for group therapy in an unfamiliar environment. The participants progress through a series of increasingly difficult challenges which seem unsolvable, yet are structured in such a way that success is guaranteed. The present article will describe the principles of WP, followed by the findings of a field research which examined the effect of a WP on a group of dropout youth in Israel, comparing them to an alternative therapy program and a contrast group. The assumptions of the research were that self-esteem and locus of control in the Wilderness group would be improved in comparison to the alternative group and to the contrast group. The research findings partially supported these assumptions, pointing to a significant progress of both experimental groups compared to the contrast group. The WP group stood apart in its results, showing increased self-esteem in four out of six factors compared to the contrast group, but there was no significant change compared to the Alternative Program group. In both experimental groups a clear significant improvement was found in locus of control after the intervention, in contrast to a decrease in those who did not take part in the activities. The discussion will address the research findings and the possibilities and opportunities presented by WP.
Perspectives on the Wilderness Therapy Process and Its Relation to Outcome
Child Care Quarterly, 2002
This study examined the wilderness therapy process in order to better understand how the intervention effects change in problem behavior of adolescent clients. A review of literature reveals multiple definitions of wilderness therapy, numerous studies evaluating treatment outcomes, and a need to focus research on how the process facilitates change. This study investigated four established wilderness therapy programs using a multisite case study approach and a variety of qualitative data collection methods to carefully examine the wilderness therapy experience of 12 clients in four wilderness therapy programs. Findings indicate that physical exercise and hiking, primitive wilderness living, peer feedback facilitated by group counseling sessions, and the therapeutic relationship established with wilderness guides and therapists were key change agents for adolescents. These factors helped adolescents come to terms with their behavior and facilitated a desire to want to change for the better.
Positive youth development: a wilderness intervention
2007
The purpose of this interpretive case study was to explore how a wilderness challenge intervention was experienced by "at-risk" youth, to uncover the meanings of those experiences, and to assess the generalization and transfer of their experiences beyond the intervention. Two motivational frameworks involving theory of optimal experience and self-determination were used to guide the study. Forty research participants involved with a therapeutic wilderness program were interviewed using in-depth, semi-structured interviews as the main source of data collection. Using constant comparison as the method of analysis, three themes encompassing the topics of challenge, community, and key player relationships were constructed from the data. Data analysis led to the construction of optimal experience, self-determination, social capital, optimism, and youth initiative resulting in a grounded theory of positive youth development. Implications for practice include encouraging greater ...
Key Elements Of A Successful Wilderness Program For Delinquents: A summary
Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 1998
This raper describes a .succe~sful ",:ilderness-enhanced model used by a numberof programs in NSW. An initial wilderness expen.ence, coupled wlth an mtensIVe and lengthy follow-up period, can have a lasting impact on antisocial and delinquent ~ehavlOur. To fiav~ ~uccess~ outcomes a wila~mess experience should be highly structured with some key elements. These mclu~e: anynfamlhar er:tvironment engendermg stress; a series of unique challenges with real consequences and a high perceIved nsk; and of a time lengthy enough to provide an essential break in routine. A skilled leader is the lynchpin of a s~cce~sful programme. ~e or she. wIll can .ch~nenge the thought processes of the young person and force them to rethink the SItuation. The follow-up IS also v~tal. By h~mg the wilderness experience to everyday life with isomorphic metaphors, the leader can use the power of the wtlderness tnp to help in long-term behaviour change.
Children and Youth Services Review, 2019
Wilderness therapy is a specialized approach to adolescent substance use and mental health treatment. While empirical evidence of positive outcomes grows to support this approach, qualitative understandings are lacking in the literature, thereby limiting theoretical explanations. Additionally, the voice of adolescent clients is hardly present, and was therefore the focus for this research. A sample of 148 adolescent wilderness therapy clients at one Canadian residential treatment program for addictive behaviour and mental health issues participated in the study. A realist approach utilizing thematic analysis of written open-ended responses produced six major themes; three depicting participant experiences (social dynamics, wilderness, catalyst for change) and three for perceived outcomes (skill development, self-concept, health). These findings are discussed in relationship to the development of a clinical model of wilderness therapy and the potential of wilderness interventions in adolescent residential treatment. Recommendations for practice and future research are discussed.
A Critical Analysis of Therapeutic Processes with Adolescents in Wilderness Therapy Programs
This paper provides a comparative critical analysis of how the underlying logos of Gestalt Therapy may inform the Wilderness Therapist with a holistic philosophical and perceptual framework to work with the adolescent client. This analysis is divided into four sections. The first presenting a brief orientation of how a Field Theoretical understanding of adolescent development can be applied to a Wilderness Therapy format. Part two outlines a Gestalt perspective on the sense organization and meaning making of adolescent experience through the application of a hermeneutic phenomenological method. Part three includes an analysis of dialogical challenges specific to working with teens in a wilderness setting and provides an assessment of potential ethical issues. Furthermore a wilderness therapy experience of “Vision Quest” is related as a situation of Experimentation which supports the paradigm shift at the heart of adolescent development.
Who are They? A Descriptive Study of Adolescents in Wilderness and Residential Programs
Residential Treatment For Children & Youth, 2011
Although residential and wilderness treatment programs are growing in popularity, little is known about the adolescents placed within them. This study analyzed a random sample of 473 psychological evaluations of adolescents in residential and wilderness treatment centers for participants' cognitive functioning, aggression, family history of mental health, substance abuse, trauma, past treatment experiences, and reasons for current placement. The results suggest that participants were primarily delinquent, substance-abusing, and oppositional. Results also revealed nearly a third of the sample reported self-harming behaviors and nearly half reported recent traumatic events. The profile of this population carries important implications for residential treatment providers.
Youth, 2024
Outdoor behavioral healthcare is a specific model and industry utilizing wilderness therapy (WT), a residential treatment approach comprised of outdoor travel and living for youth experiencing mental health, substance use, and behavioral concerns. We present data from 6417 participants about reasons for referral, admission, and discharge scores from the Youth-Outcome Questionnaire (Y-OQ), youth interest and commitment to treatment, reliable change scores, and the relationship between these variables. One-third of youth entered WT with sub-clinical scores, varying levels of client motivation and voluntariness in relation to clinical outcomes, a diverse range of presenting problems without clear indication of specialized treatment planning, and differing responses to treatment by referral reason. Identifying those not responding to WT and those at risk of deterioration from the time of admission requires further investigation to improve client outcomes for this treatment modality. Recommendations include placing increased importance on accurate and thorough screening and assessment, utilizing baseline and routine outcome monitoring, reducing coercion, and considering specialized intervention.
Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 2010
Adolescent depression is a serious mental health crisis, often occurring in the context of negative psychosocial development. This study explored the efficacy of a therapeutic wilderness experience on adolescent depression and psychosocial development by measuring pre-to-post changes on the Reynolds' Adolescent Depression Scale-2 (RADS-2) and the Measures of Psychosocial Development (MPD). Participants in this study were selected from the Intercept program at Outward Bound Wilderness, a therapeutic wilderness program for youth-at-risk. This mixed methods study found clinically and statistically significant pre-to-post decreases in levels and prevalence of adolescent depression and increases in psychosocial health after a therapeutic wilderness intervention. This study also showed qualitative indicators of change in these areas. This study further demonstrated a clinically and statistically significant relationship between adolescent depression and psychosocial development, and showed statistically significant improvements in the areas of school problems, substance abuse, and family conflict. In addition, this study analyzed what process variables were related to the adolescent depression and prosocial outcomes. These findings are highlighted in this article and are presented as key components of the therapeutic wilderness experience.