Inclusive Opportunities For Recreation funded by the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities
What is Adventure Therapy?
Adventure Therapy is an action-centered approach to treatment that is used within the field of Recreation Therapy. As opposed to other, more verbally based therapies, adventure therapy encourages individuals to become mentally and physically engaged in adventure activities. The unfamiliar nature of these activities, combined with the sense of community developed during participation in activities, creates a climate in which individuals can challenge their current perceptions and behaviors, and affords them an opportunity to modify those behaviors (Dattilo & Groff, 2000, p.13). This therapeutic approach is used in conjunction with a recreation therapy assessment, creation of individual goals, and evaluation procedures to track positive change.
Dattilo, J., & Groff, D. (2000). Adventure therapy. In J. Dattilo (Ed.). Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation (pp. 13-39). State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.