Adventure Therapy Definition
Adventure therapy is a form of mental health treatment that uses planned outdoor adventure activities in nature as part of care. In a 2017 article in Frontiers in Public Health, Ralf Christopher Buckley and Paula Brough describe it as part of a broader group of “nature, eco, and adventure therapies,” structured programs that use time outside as a healing tool (Buckley & Brough, 2017). Their review highlights growing evidence that “exposure to nature can lead to improvements in multiple mental and physical health parameters” for at least some people in some situations (Buckley & Brough, 2017). In practice, adventure therapy means guided outdoor challenges, led by trained providers, that are planned and adjusted in length and intensity so the “dose” of nature and activity fits a person’s needs and supports better mental and physical health over time (Buckley & Brough, 2017).
What Does Adventure Therapy Look Like?
Adventure therapy is a clinical treatment that combines planned adventure activities with traditional mental health practices (Newes & Bandoroff, 2004). It is more than going outside for fun. Therapists use outdoor tasks within a structured plan that includes assessment, clear goals, and activities based on a guiding theory. The approach comes from experiential education, where people learn by doing and then reflecting, so clients stay active and engaged rather than just listening (Newes & Bandoroff, 2004).
Newes and Bandoroff note that adventure therapy usually aims to build self-awareness, responsibility, coping skills, and better communication and teamwork (Newes & Bandoroff, 2004). Facilitators use sequenced challenges, unfamiliar settings, and activities that feel risky but are managed for safety, along with a “challenge by choice” approach. Group discussion after activities is essential. The authors stress that adventure therapy must follow the same ethical and scientific standards as other mental health treatments and define it as the intentional use of adventure tools to support agreed therapeutic goals (Newes & Bandoroff, 2004).
Pros and Cons of Adventure Therapy
Adventure therapy can help people with many concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, eating disorders, and substance use disorders (Blanchfield, 2025). Guided outdoor activities are used to build confidence, improve communication, and change negative beliefs. A meta analysis cited in the article found that people in adventure therapy often improved more than those in other or no treatment, and many kept these gains for at least six months (Blanchfield, 2025).
However, many programs are very expensive, often not covered by insurance, and may require a long stay away from home (Blanchfield, 2025). Blanchfield also notes reports of ethical problems in some programs, so it is important to research carefully, check accreditation, and make sure the physical demands are safe for the person seeking help (Blanchfield, 2025).
Adventure Therapy for Addiction
Adventure therapy for addiction is often a good fit for people with substance use disorders who enjoy the outdoors, learn by doing, and can safely participate in moderate physical challenges (Newes & Bandoroff, 2004; Blanchfield, 2025). It can be especially helpful for clients who feel stuck in traditional talk therapy and respond better when they are actively engaged. Guided activities such as hiking, ropes courses, or team problem solving are planned and then processed with a therapist. The goal is to practice coping skills, build confidence, and experience sober enjoyment in real time while connecting each activity to triggers, cravings, and relationship patterns that influence addiction and recovery (Newes & Bandoroff, 2004; Buckley & Brough, 2017).
Adventure therapy for addiction also has important clinical limits. The approach depends on a person’s ability to reflect on experience and link symbolic lessons from activities to their own substance use and recovery goals. This means it may not work well for people with severe cognitive impairment, active psychosis, or very limited insight (Newes & Bandoroff, 2004). High arousal and perceived risk can also heighten anxiety or trigger trauma responses for clients with co occurring PTSD or panic attacks (Newes & Bandoroff, 2004; Schreiber-Pan, 2024). Outcomes for people with addiction depend heavily on program design and staff training, since adventure therapy is most effective when it is clearly integrated with evidence based addiction treatment rather than offered as stand alone recreation (Buckley & Brough, 2017; Blanchfield, 2025).
Adventure Therapy Compared to Other Types of Outdoor Therapy
Nature-based therapies can look very different depending on how they use the outdoors in treatment. In a 2024 blog post, Heidi Schreiber-Pan explains that adventure therapy is a form of experiential therapy built around challenging activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking, where “the key element…is the experience itself” and growth comes from facing and mastering difficult situations in a group setting (Schreiber-Pan, 2024, para. 5).
Nature informed therapy, in contrast, centers on building a secure, reciprocal relationship with the natural world, drawing on attachment theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, mindfulness, and practices like forest bathing, nature meditation, and ecological art to support holistic healing of mind, body, and spirit (Schreiber-Pan, 2024). Schreiber-Pan suggests that adventure therapy may fit people seeking high-challenge, skills-based experiences, while nature informed therapy may suit those looking for a slower, relational approach that deepens their sense of connection and belonging in nature (Schreiber-Pan, 2024).
Experiential Therapy at Great Falls Wellness
Adventure therapy often focuses on intense outdoor challenges, like rock climbing or multi-day wilderness trips, to help people build confidence, practice coping skills, and experience sober fun. At Great Falls Wellness, our experiential therapies share many of the same benefits but in a format that is more accessible for everyday life. Instead of traveling far from home or committing to a long expedition, clients can participate in our Intensive Outpatient Programs right here in Northern Virginia. Our programs meet in the evenings after work or during the day while young children are at school within driving distance of Washington, DC. Equine therapy, art therapy, and trauma informed yoga all invite clients to learn by doing, reflect on their experiences, and practice new ways of thinking and relating in real time, similar to the core principles of adventure therapy.
Another big difference is that treatment at Great Falls Wellness does not require extreme physical effort or physical fitness. Our trauma informed yoga, for example, is practiced from a chair, which makes it accessible for people of many abilities and health conditions. Equine therapy offers powerful, in the moment feedback about boundaries, trust, and emotional regulation, without the need for strenuous activity. Art therapy provides a creative way to process feelings, explore identity, and imagine a future in recovery. Together, these experiential therapies offer many of the same benefits associated with adventure therapy, such as increased self awareness, improved coping, and a sense of mastery, within a supportive outpatient setting that fits real life schedules and a wide range of physical needs.
If you want to start the journey of healing from addiction or alcoholism, call us today.
References
Blanchfield, T. (2025, December 12). Adventure therapy: Definition, types, techniques, and efficacy. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/adventure-therapy-definition-types-techniques-and-efficacy-5270553
Buckley, R. C., & Brough, P. (2017). Nature, eco, and adventure therapies for mental health and chronic disease. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 220. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00220
Newes, S., & Bandoroff, S. (2004). What is adventure therapy? In S. Bandoroff & S. Newes (Eds.), Coming of age: The evolving field of adventure therapy (pp. 1–30). Association for Experiential Education.
Schreiber-Pan, H. (2024, June 12). Exploring the differences between nature informed therapy and adventure therapy. Center for Nature Informed Therapy. https://www.natureinformedtherapy.org/post/exploring-the-differences-between-nature-informed-therapy-and-adventure-therapy
