Using the AT-EcoWellness Framework to Increase the Intentional Use of Nature in Adventure Therapy

ABSTRACT

While the role of the natural environment is considered integral to the therapeutic process in Adventure therapy (AT), facilitators often only passively view it as a backdrop rather than intentionally using it as a co-facilitator of change. In this article, we propose a framework – AT-EcoWellness Framework – integrating EcoWellness with AT concepts that facilitators employ to intentionally use nature in the process of planning and facilitating AT groups. We illustrate the AT-EcoWellness Framework through a planning guide and case example of a recent program.

KEYWORDS:

• Adventure therapy
• EcoWellness
• group work
• nature
• theoretical framework

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01933922.2023.2190780

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cian L. Brown

Cian L. Brown is an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Oklahoma and co-director of the Center for Outdoor Therapy and Education.

David D. Christian

David D. Christian is an Associate Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Arkansas and the director of the Adventure Therapy Lab.

Ryan F. Reese

Ryan F. Reese is an Associate Professor of Counseling at Oregon State University - Cascades and the founder of EcoWellness Counseling & Consulting LLC.

Nicolas S. Bellegarde

Nicolas S. Bellegarde is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Arkansas and graduate assistant director of the Adventure Therapy Lab.