Navigating Trauma in Wilderness Therapy: A Narrative Therapy Approach.
Saved in:
| Title: | Navigating Trauma in Wilderness Therapy: A Narrative Therapy Approach. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Mathias, Connor (AUTHOR), Schultz, Callie (AUTHOR), Curtis, Russ (AUTHOR), Wynn, David (AUTHOR), Schultz, Jeremy (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Leisure Sciences. 2025, Vol. 47 Issue 7, p1573-1594. 22p. |
| Subjects: | Narrative therapy, Trauma therapy, Cognitive therapy, Adventure therapy, Peers, Backpacking, Adolescent psychotherapy, Autoethnography |
| Abstract: | This paper explores how wilderness therapists manage the trauma they encounter when working with volatile youth. Guided by the principles of narrative therapy, I created a wilderness experience aimed at transforming my own trauma into a narrative of growth. The study details the development and implementation of a backpacking course for current and former field instructors. Under the auspices of narrative therapy, I utilized various modalities, such as autoethnography, journaling, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to embark on a deliberate journey to re-story past trauma. The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of group settings among individuals with shared experiences and the difficulties of rediscovering enjoyment in outdoor environments after exiting the wilderness therapy field. Additionally, the application of CBT provided critical reflexivity and clarity throughout the research. The study concludes with a recommendation for an industry-wide landscape analysis of the well-being of former field instructors to further illuminate these important issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Leisure Sciences is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | This paper explores how wilderness therapists manage the trauma they encounter when working with volatile youth. Guided by the principles of narrative therapy, I created a wilderness experience aimed at transforming my own trauma into a narrative of growth. The study details the development and implementation of a backpacking course for current and former field instructors. Under the auspices of narrative therapy, I utilized various modalities, such as autoethnography, journaling, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to embark on a deliberate journey to re-story past trauma. The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of group settings among individuals with shared experiences and the difficulties of rediscovering enjoyment in outdoor environments after exiting the wilderness therapy field. Additionally, the application of CBT provided critical reflexivity and clarity throughout the research. The study concludes with a recommendation for an industry-wide landscape analysis of the well-being of former field instructors to further illuminate these important issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 01490400 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/01490400.2025.2479610 |
