Wilderness therapy offers a unique approach to mental and behavioral health treatment by leveraging the power of nature. If you’re considering a career as a wilderness therapy guide, or simply curious about what the role entails, this guide provides a comprehensive overview.
Wilderness therapy programs combine traditional therapeutic techniques with outdoor experiences to help individuals address emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges. These programs often involve spending time in natural environments, participating in activities like hiking, camping, and team-building exercises, all while receiving guidance and support from trained professionals.
One such program is Summit Achievement, founded in 1996 in western Maine, catering to at-risk teens and young adults aged thirteen to twenty. Inspired by the Outward Bound leadership program, Summit Achievement splits each week into two halves: classroom-based therapy with licensed clinicians and wilderness expeditions.
Who Becomes a Wilderness Therapy Guide?
The path to becoming a wilderness therapy guide is diverse. While some guides have extensive outdoor experience and a background in psychology or social work, others come from entirely different fields. The most important qualities are patience, resilience, and a genuine desire to help others.
Ideally, a wilderness therapy guide should possess a blend of skills:
- Psychological Understanding: Familiarity with therapeutic principles and techniques. This could come from pursuing a degree or having experience in a related field.
- Outdoor Proficiency: Competence in essential outdoor skills like setting up shelters, navigating terrain, and providing basic first aid.
However, even without extensive experience in both areas, individuals with the right attitude and willingness to learn can succeed as guides.
Summit Achievement’s training process involves a 10-day intake where new guides acquire both hard skills (outdoor survival) and soft skills (clinical interaction). They are also given time to shadow teams led by seasoned professionals.
Lifestyle and Compensation
Being a wilderness therapy guide demands a willingness to embrace a unique lifestyle. Most programs operate on a week-on, week-off schedule (though some may offer two-on, two-off arrangements), which can make maintaining relationships outside the guiding community difficult. However, this schedule also allows for extended periods of personal time, ideal for travel and outdoor recreation.
The pay for wilderness therapy guides is generally modest, but it can be a livable wage, especially for those who adopt a frugal lifestyle. The schedule provides opportunities to save money and pursue personal interests during off-weeks.
The Challenges and Rewards
The work of a wilderness therapy guide is both physically and emotionally demanding. Guides often face challenging situations, such as dealing with uncooperative students in harsh weather conditions. They must maintain composure and empathy, even when students are struggling with difficult emotions or behaviors.
The rewards, however, can be immense. Witnessing a student’s progress and knowing that you played a role in their transformation is incredibly fulfilling. The skills developed as a guide, such as patience, empathy, and communication, are also valuable in all aspects of life.
Addressing Modern Challenges: Technology Addiction
One of the growing challenges faced by wilderness therapy programs is technology addiction. The constant connectivity of modern life can have a detrimental effect on mental health and well-being.
Wilderness therapy provides a unique opportunity to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature and oneself. By removing distractions and triggers, students can gain insight into their relationship with technology and develop healthier habits.
As Will White, the founder of Summit Achievement, points out, boredom can be a major trigger for technology use. Wilderness therapy aims to replace unhealthy habits with healthy ones, such as spending time in nature, engaging in physical activity, and building meaningful relationships.
Coping with the Elements
Working as a wilderness therapy guide often involves spending extended periods outdoors in all types of weather. In regions like New England, winter conditions can be particularly challenging.
Learning to cope with the elements is essential for both personal comfort and the safety of the students. This includes proper layering, using appropriate gear, and employing active warming techniques.
Wilderness Therapy: A Path to Healing
Wilderness therapy can be a powerful tool for personal growth and healing. It’s not just for adolescents struggling with emotional difficulties. Anyone can benefit from spending time in nature, engaging in physical activity, and reflecting on their experiences.
By providing a supportive and challenging environment, wilderness therapy programs help individuals develop resilience, self-awareness, and a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them.
In conclusion, becoming a wilderness therapy guide is a rewarding career path for those passionate about helping others and the outdoors. While demanding, the opportunity to positively impact lives and experience personal growth makes it a truly unique and valuable profession.
