Adventure Therapy

What Is Adventure Therapy or Outdoor Wilderness Therapy?

Sometimes referred to as “Wilderness Therapy,” Adventure Therapy is the use of the outdoors, nature, and adventure as part of the therapeutic process. It is based on the belief that experiences shape us, and that experiential activities in nature can promote healing and help you reach your individual mental health goals.

How Adventure Therapy Works

Outdoor Wilderness Therapy uses a variety of outdoor activities during therapy sessions. These activities are often chosen in collaboration with clients, based on their personal needs and therapeutic goals. Therapists who work in Outdoor Wilderness Therapy still use many of the same counselling techniques that would be present in a traditional office setting.

What Makes Adventure Therapy Different?

The biggest difference between traditional therapy and experiential approaches like Wilderness Therapy is the use of the environment and physical experiences to promote change in an individual’s or group’s life. Nature becomes an active participant in the healing process.

What Makes Adventure Therapy Different?

Each therapy plan is personalized. Activities can include:
• Campcraft
• Bushcraft
• Snowboarding/Skiing
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Quinzhee Building
• Hiking
• Overnight Backpacking Trips
• Standup Paddleboarding
• Kayaking
• Canoeing
• Climbing
• Canoe Expedition Trips
• Shelter Building

The specific experiences and activities are carefully selected to align with each client’s unique goals and comfort level.

Meet Your Adventure Therapist in the Kootenays

Hannah Yager is the owner and director of Converging Currents Counselling, based in Kimberley, BC. She is a Registered Social Worker in British Columbia and completed her graduate Clinical Social Work education at the University of Calgary.

Hannah is also a trained and experienced whitewater kayaker, hiker, canoe instructor, paddleboarder, and mountain biker. She personally leads each group session alongside a secondary support staff member who holds the appropriate guide and/or instructor certifications for each activity.

Local Expertise and Professional Community

Hannah is a member of the Therapeutic Adventure Professionals Group and the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce. If you’d like to learn more about Hannah visit Hannah’s Bio.