It has always been a popular idea for outdoor goers to explore and spend quiet time in nature to relax and destress after a long period of continuous work, as being surrounded with fresh air and a calming green environment can always help anyone to be more in touch with one’s senses and feel reenergized again. In the history of mental health studies, there are also evidences of patients significantly improving in mental wellness after being exposed to nature outdoors for quite sometime, and even contributed to the marked reduction of such patients’ violent tendencies. To read more about the wilderness therapy utah view the link.
Although the idea was slowly introduced, if at all, in some healthcare facilities, its popularity among advocates of natural healing has grown steadily over the last few decades, giving rise to outdoor related activities aimed at wellness improvement among its participants. Sometime in the 1970s, formal activities that involves this main idea began to be called as a wilderness therapy, which are more organized and planned, being facilitated by qualified therapists usually in the form of an outdoor camping or bootcamp with a large group, although it can also be done individually.
The programs are typically conducted for four weeks or more, and includes nature activities and games that can challenge its participants to improve their self esteem, interpersonal and communication skills, and fosters a cooperative and trusting attitude between the members of the team to successfully complete tasks. Since being in the outdoors can also be tiring, these activities are also seen to develop physical strength and endurance while also encouraging participants to adapt to their surroundings and be more aware of themselves without losing consideration of the people around them, especially that the given activities are designed to simulate the usual conflicts within families and similar social structures but in an outdoor setting. Go to the reference of this site wilderness programs in utah.
These outdoor therapy programs often conducts their sessions in age groups, like therapy for young adults and one for teenagers, with varying fees depending on program and duration chosen, but regardless of your choice, always be sure to check that the agency you will enroll in is licensed by the state. To be guaranteed of safety, especially if you are enrolling your child in a young adult wilderness therapy, consult first with experienced professionals that are known in this type of therapeutic program before choosing an activity program, which must be monitored on site by professionals as well.
Wilderness programs for behavioral healthcare is not only a means to health improvement for people with behavioral issues but also for those who have problems with their social skills and self esteem, as these activities facilitated by therapists in outdoor settings with engaging activities also acquaints individuals with nature and its many benefits. Take a look at the information about the wilderness therapy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilderness_therapy.
Nature As Therapy Blog 