One of the most compelling reasons to choose adventure therapy for your clients is the measurable results. This form of therapy has been shown to reduce suicidality in clients by as much as half compared to a benchmark group. In addition, clients will learn the importance of durability and experience through adventure activities. Listed below are some ways to get started. But before we dive into how adventure therapy works, we should first discuss what it is.
Suicidality was lower than the comparable benchmark
Results of the current study show that suicidality was lower among participants of an Adventure Therapy group compared with a control group that received no treatment. The study design included a stem-and-leaf diagram displaying the changes in participant behaviour from baseline to post-therapy. While the effect sizes of the three outcome categories were small, the differences in the following outcome categories were significant. Suicidality in Adventure Therapy participants was significantly lower than the corresponding benchmark group.
The study also used meta-regression to examine the underlying causes of variation in participant outcomes and program characteristics. Participants, program characteristics, and sample characteristics were included as independent variables. Because meta-regression is exploratory in nature, results should be interpreted with caution. In addition to analyzing independent variables, the current study used a table to summarize participant characteristics. The analysis included variables that were considered most significant by the participants.
Although the results of these studies were promising, they did have some limitations. Methodological quality of these studies varied considerably. For example, a substantial number of studies did not use matched samples. As a result, outcomes were reported with a lower N. The lower N in the Adventure Therapy group was conservative. Nonetheless, the results should be reported based on a sample size of at least three.
Efficacy of adventure therapy
To examine the efficacy of adventure therapy for mental health problems, we evaluated the effectiveness of six questionnaires, including the YSR and behavioural and emotional functioning subscales. Both short and long-term change were within the CIs of meta-analytic benchmarks. The results are reported in Tables 2 and 3.
During an adventure activity, participants may be exposed to verbal persuasion, vicarious experience, or an overwhelming mastery experience. The activities themselves may increase efficacy of the client's beliefs about treatment outcomes. These experiences may also lead to generalizing subskills to other domains. These activities also provide a context for discussion and therapeutic techniques. For example, clients can apply their new skills to everyday life after the adventure treatment has ended.
Overall, participants reported only minor effects during the lead-up and follow-up periods, and only a small number showed a significant effect at the end of the three-month period. Although adventure therapy did improve self-esteem and locus of control, these effects were non-significant. Further, participants tended to report a lower level of stress than those who received conventional therapy. Therefore, further research is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of this therapy for mental health problems.
Ways to get started
The field of adventure therapy can be a rewarding career, with many benefits. It is more than paddling and backpacking: the field is about solving problems through character education. Adventure therapists work with diverse populations, from incarcerated youth to married couples. The following are some ways to get started in this field. Let's start by learning about the theory of adventure therapy. This article outlines the most important topics of adventure therapy.
One of the best things about adventure therapy is its ability to foster emotional growth. It requires physical and mental challenges and can promote growth in a variety of areas, including emotional wellbeing and self-esteem. Participants are encouraged to connect with others and learn how to embrace different views on life. The benefits of adventure therapy can be seen from any angle. The Association of Experiential Education states that an active process is "an effective vehicle for change."
The therapist's role is critical in this therapy. The therapist and other recovery professionals need to understand the needs of the client before incorporating the therapy into their treatment plan. An individual might be recommended for AT after completing a detox program, sobriety and other intensive treatment. While not appropriate for all clients, adventure therapy often goes along with other outpatient programs. A patient may find adventure therapy particularly helpful after receiving outpatient services, such as intensive outpatient programs or a long-term inpatient stay.
