Wilderness Therapy in Managing Mental Conditions

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The concept of using nature and unfamiliar environments as therapeutic tools emerged in professional healthcare practice early in the 20^th century. Since then, individuals have uncovered several interesting and unusual solutions to counter several issues, especially in the fields of behavioral and mental health. Wilderness therapy, or outdoor behavioral healthcare, is a contemporary psychotherapy solution that has gained significant attention over the past few years because of its high success levels. Its approach to addressing mental health conditions involves numerous expeditions into the wild or natural world to facilitate self-discovery. Therefore, this essay supports that wilderness therapy is an effective and safe solution to treat mental conditions and associated comorbidities. The technique is versatile because it fosters endurance and adaptability using the primitive reinforcements of nature.

Wilderness therapy is a treatment technique recommended for patients who are unwilling to seek medical treatment for drug addiction or mental conditions because it adopts a naturalistic approach to treatment. Conlon et al. (2018) suggest that the concept of wilderness therapy should be perceived as an expedition and facilitated with an appropriate level of support and activities to help patients interact with nature and self-reflect. According to data collected by interviewing 11 adolescents exposed to a wilderness therapy program, the solution was effective in increasing self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-worth (Conlon et al., 2018). However, the researchers propose engaging individuals early to allow embracing the overall changes.

Wilderness therapy is also recommended as an effective treatment solution for teenagers and adolescents in the modern age because it provides a unique outdoor experience. According to Fernee et al. (2019), wilderness therapy meets the intrinsic needs of adolescents because it takes them away from judgment and the pressure of everyday life. The approach is unique compared to other solutions because it does not involve any therapeutic processes. Instead, an individual gets the opportunity to change their perspective on life by interacting with natural elements (Fernee et al., 2021). Although the theoretical basis of wilderness therapy is yet to be explained, the natural solutions help restore an individual’s sense of belief, thus encouraging them to alter their negative behaviors.

Youth delinquency is another emerging public health concern that puts teenagers and adolescents at risk of impulsive behaviors. However, Beck & Wong (2022) suggest that wilderness therapy potentially addresses youth delinquency and associated issues by encouraging them to develop self-control skills and rational thinking abilities. According to the researchers, wilderness therapy programs diminish antisocial behaviors in delinquent youth by exposing them to experiential learning. These programs take the youth through increasingly challenging physical activities and leverage their success to build self-esteem, self-confidence, and internal self-control. As a result, the therapy empowers delinquent youth and reinforces the values of collaboration and teamwork to promote positive change.

Wilderness therapy is recommended as an alternative for individuals who are less responsive to everyday psychotherapy interventions and pharmacological solutions. According to a literature review by Kraft & Cornelius-White (2020), several researchers cite changes in self-concept as the main contributor to improved behaviors in troublesome youth. The researchers uncovered that wilderness therapy improves communication, interpersonal connections, person-environment bonds, and a positive mindset (Kraft & Cornelius-White, 2020). In turn, the therapy supports improved family functioning, positive transitions, and a general improvement of behaviors. Therefore, it is as effective as most pharmacological solutions, allowing it to become the ultimate alternative in the case of unresponsive patients.

The implications of technological advancements and urbanization on individuals’ lives are the subject of intensive research due to increasing trends of youth maladjustments, indicated by high stress and anxiety levels. Therefore, Gabrielsen & Harper, (2018) argue that if technological changes have resulted in these adversities, thus adopting a natural life may be a solution. As a result, the authors recommend wilderness therapy to counter developmental issues in adolescents. The researchers point out that exposure to natural environments can facilitate a change in beliefs and more education about natural systems. Thus, they suggest the development of complex outdoor community programs designed for therapeutic benefits to help deter the disastrous impact of technological advancement and urbanization.

Mental health and psychology fields have experienced significant advancements over the past century due to a wealth of research on diverse topics and the incorporation of technological treatment solutions. Nevertheless, the adoption of unconventional solutions to manage psychotic issues has proved to be effective, especially in cases where medicine-based and psychotherapy interventions pose issues like safety concerns or unresponsiveness. Wilderness therapy is an example of a reliable solution that has proven notable results according to various experiments and research resources. Therefore, it is vital to carry out more investigations about these solutions.

References

Beck, N., & Wong, J. S. (2022). A MetA-AnAlysis of the effects of Wilderness therApy on delinquent BehAviors AMong youth.Criminal Justice and Behavior, 49(5), 700-729. Web.

Conlon, C. M., Wilson, C. E., Gaffney, P., & Stoker, M. (2018). Wilderness therapy intervention with adolescents: Exploring the process of change. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 18(4), 353-366. Web.

Fernee, C. R., Gabrielsen, L. E., Andersen, A. J., & Mesel, T. (2021). Emerging stories of self: long-term outcomes of wilderness therapy in Norway.Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 21(1), 67-81. Web.

Fernee, C. R., Mesel, T., Andersen, A. J., & Gabrielsen, L. E. (2019). Therapy the natural way: A realist exploration of the wilderness therapy treatment process in adolescent mental health care in Norway.Qualitative Health Research, 29(9), 1358-1377. Web.

Gabrielsen, L. E., & Harper, N. J. (2018). The role of wilderness therapy for adolescents in the face of global trends of urbanization and technification. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 23(4), 409-421. Web.

Johnson, E. G., Davis, E. B., Johnson, J., Pressley, J. D., Sawyer, S., & Spinazzola, J. (2020). The effectiveness of trauma-informed wilderness therapy with adolescents: A pilot study.Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(8), 878–887. Web.

Kraft, M., & Cornelius-White, J. (2020). Adolescent experiences in wilderness therapy: A systematic review of qualitative studies.Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 15(3), 343- 352. Web.

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Wilderness Therapy in Managing Mental Conditions

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