Jargon Buster - Wilderness therapy

What does it mean? Often referred to as adventure therapy, wilderness therapy is aimed at helping people to overcome personal issues by encouraging them to embrace the great outdoors and get back to nature. According to the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, wilderness therapy is still evolving as a practice and is consequently difficult to define. Many programmes avoid what are seen as manipulations, contrived activities, psychological games and contrived consequences as experts believe these detract from the natural element and can diminish outcomes.

How does it work? Research revealed at the International Adventure Therapy Conference last week suggested that wilderness therapy can help to improve the lives of young people with drug addictions, problems at school or behavioural difficulties. The findings were based on a week of therapy involving young people taking part in outdoor activities designed to encourage survival skills and team-building. Young people were tested before and after the therapy and improvements were identified in communication skills, self-confidence, problem-solving, time management, task leadership and social competence.