Adventure Therapy Current Theory and Future Orientation
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1 Adventure Therapy Current Theory and Future Orientation Don Philpott 2010 2 Table of Contents Foreword Abstract Setting the framework page 6 Introduction page 7 Learning-Taxonomy Page 11 Central Argument page 14 Influence-compliance page 16 Novelty page 18 Therapy as nature page 19 Therapy in nature Page 22 common factors page 23 Skills training –education page 25 Knowledge competencies- risk page 29 Virtual reality risk page 31 Therapy forms page 34 Freudian page 36 Spirituality page 40 Behaviourist model page 42 Humanist theory page 44 Solution focus page 48 The Politics of the Docile Body page 51 Eclecticism page 56 Emergent patterns page 59 Solitary pursuits page 60 Discussion page 63 Conclusion page 70 References Page 74 Bibliography page 72 3 Foreword What is the benefit of being out in nature? A discussion illustrating some useful ideas- a new beginning, a journey of exploration, getting out of the comfort zone, challenge and an exploration of themselves. There is an idea of a cyclical return to nature from the striving and “rat race” of the city. The idea of physical exercise and change in diet allied to “fresh air” and a broader vista. The physical element is integrated with a distance from technological distraction and a more basic lifestyle. “Get you out of your closed circle of friend s because nowadays the people are just colleagues - New beginning, different from normal environment –same as novelty of chat room. - Different sides you your personality – good and confident and comfortable. - The lack of stuff and technologies. Forced to be social and you communicate more – not physically bound by houses and buildings and streets. - time on your own with people but not stuck with the people - adrenaline , sports activities and mood elevators , change in metabolism, more active more positive totally different chemical reactions - – for nowadays people the sense of freedom is enough- a personal thing , if you are a slave mentality ,just need to get feel of it 4 - The free people will not be so often the clients – because it’s a choice you make that makes you responsible for every choice that you make, and then you are responsible for. - Others need support, need leading, they need something – even if that thing is a recommitment to where they were before and a hatred of the experience - emerging change – magical place , ideation , imagination of the magical moment - the idea of novelty, not always the magical - Setting up different reality in a different place , nowadays can do it in more than one way- so there may be no therapy in nature and there may not be an escape in it- the power may be in its as amusement - The novelty the attempt to control something that is always a step ahead of us I don’t know if this part that helps you? - there is a element that shows you that life is good because life just” is”– look at a tree and see it is there for 100 years but it is there and alive, - the beauty of life, The tree is a reality, when I am in a beautiful place and I can enjoy a beautiful place and can enjoy nature- not so much obsessed by achieving or doing - it’s just nice to be there.” Svetlana Mitova – Philpott (2009) 5 Abstract The purpose of this series of topics is to examine the use of talking therapy/psychotherapy models used to describe behavioural change in the outdoor environment. A wider cross discipline perspective was utilized to examine the process, effect and reasoning behind the application of therapy in the outdoors. The multiplicity of roles for nature and the concepts of naturalness applied to human beings are examined. Based on a literature research it is proposed that different perspectives arrive at similar goals and that key elements remain similar in action oriented models applied in nature, in the psychological arena, sustainable development politics, management, religion and military models; ―a secure base from which to explore,‖ adaptability, openness to experience and the learning of practical skills which bolster self efficacy. We do not advance a theoretical basis for the application of talking therapies/psychotherapy for ―change in the outdoors ―based on a wider appreciation of meaning making and problem solving. The conclusion is that all models provide ―maps‖ but the experiential aspect of outdoor therapy provides an opportunity to ―process‖ through ―play.‖ The play element is not viewed in a benign and simplistic fashion. Neither are the conventions of therapy and ―nature‖ utopianism views as abstract ―goods‖. We conclude that words are not ―natural‖ and contact with a greater systemic reality than our own internal constructs is an awakening experience. 6 Adventure therapy ―As man can produce and certainly has produced a great result by his methodical and unconscious means of selection, what may not nature effect? Charles Darwin (P65 1998) Setting the framework ―Therapy-a microcosm of society‖ Silverstone (2003 p4) ―The deliberate, strategic combination of adventure activities with therapeutic change processes with the goal of making lasting changes in the lives of participants. Adventure provides the concrete, action-based, experiential medium for therapy. The specific activity is (ideally) chosen to achieve a particular therapeutic goal.‖Gilbert and Ringer (1999, chap. 4, p. 29) quoted by Beringer (2004) ―Nature, tasks, problems, games and reflections are being combined in outdoor education and used as the media to reach aims of changing behaviour, training, education, personal development and therapy Rehm, (1996, p. 144) ―Kimball pointed to the wilderness as an invaluable tool in ―psychological evaluation‖ quoted by Gatsemann, Sweitser and Hemmell (2003) 7 Introduction The purpose of this work is to investigate the different models used to describe the process of change in outdoor therapy and to see where a common factors approach may allow a form of technical eclecticism. Eclecticism argues for the inclusion of different models within the therapeutic approach without integration into completely new theory, utilizing the most suitable modes of delivery based on the needs of the individual or client group availing of the adventure therapy process ―…an estimated 20,000 adolescent clients and their families in the United-States turn to OBH [outdoor behavioural healthcare] every year for help Russell (2003a) quoted by Marchand Russell & Cross (2009). If we take a path from ―talking therapy‖, we should look at what makes any therapy a success, what aspects can be applied outdoors and what additional advantages the change of environment brings. Interventions that are designed to be therapeutic can include different philosophies and modes of use outside the format of strictly defined talking therapies. ―There is no doubt that adventure and wilderness therapy has many impelling ways to offer clients a new window into experiencing and understanding the self, where relational connections are ripe and the physical and psychological metaphors are intense. However, there is a clear developmental need for this approach to therapy to continue to develop an integrated body of theory as well as practice‖ Richards & Peel (2005) 8 ―The effectiveness of adventure therapy lies in its focus on problem-solving, emotional catharsis, and immediate, unbiased feedback. The essence of adventure therapy is learning by doing‖ Sheldon &Arthur (2001). It is not the purpose of this work to define a theoretical integration of these models because the fields of endeavor include diverse applications. ―The use of the outdoors, adventure and wilderness for promoting personal and psychological development dates back to the earliest times of the formation of human family groups‖ Richards & Peel (2005). Many writers have suggested that the rupture between human communities and the natural world contributes to a lack of psychological well-being and ultimately to emotional problems and ill-health. ―It is time to advance a paradigm shift from an anthropocentric to an eco-centric in adventure therapy ―Beringer & Martin (2003) Kuhn, (2001) Pilisuk & Joy (2001)Roszak, (2001) quoted by Berger &McLeod (2006). This is a very important distinction in this series of discussions and is central to the framing of issues within the therapeutic domain. A few of the parameters of this research are bounded by figurative language. The language of therapy presupposes that to be therapeutic, an activity must be positive. It posits an educating or normalizing position for the therapist and an ―incongruent‖ Rogers (1951) role for the client. This idea is closely connected to the positivity inherent in the process of beneficial behavioral change. We suppose that beneficial change must be ―congruent with societal or group level changes in behavior‖ Rogers 9 (1951). The arguments within this piece of work will not encompass this tautology. We propose that the key elements to therapy do not need to be an antecedent to nature in the construct. The therapy element comes after the nature element and makes a smaller contribution due to the inherent weaknesses of manmade constructions. A central conception is that the arrangement of adventure therapy, wilderness therapy, nature therapy or other outdoor experiential title is based on ―influence peddling.‖ The setting, the dramatic backdrop of high mountains, deep fast rivers and bellowing waves gives the therapist the aura of wise elder or battle hardened veteran. This mythic role may not reflect the reality of the ―therapist‖ in any way. The therapist has control of the scene, much as ―the great and mighty Oz‖. The client, being a neophyte, does not have the knowledge to make these distinctions. Outdoor activities existed long before the current fashion for therapy and offer the imagistic associations of wildness, travel, pioneer, frontier, backcountry and a sense of back to basics living onto which therapy has been attached. The strict focus of the therapy activity is to elicit behavioral change.