What is Adventure Therapy?

There are many working definitions of Adventure Therapy though one that is commonly referenced is written below. This is a growing field and modality that more clinicians and organizations are using to connect and provide meaningful experiences for people.

"Adventure therapy is the prescriptive use of adventure experiences provided by mental health professionals, often conducted in natural settings that kinesthetically engage clients on cognitive, affective, and behavioral levels." (Gass, Gillis, and Russell, 2012) 

In the context of Roots of Impact AT, adventure means in any setting including but not limited to natural settings (local parks, trails, fields, ropes courses, lakes/rivers, etc.), schools, business conferences rooms, you name it! 

The hope is to connect with people as individuals, organizations, groups, etc. to create adventures that meet their unique needs. The magic of adventure is that it provides boundless opportunities and creativity to design programming that works for all. 

TAPG Adventure Therapy Best Practices 

AEE's Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group

Learn more about AEE's Clinical Adventure Therapist certification