Adventure therapy: treatment effectiveness and applicationswith Australian youth

摘要

A dventure therapy involves use of small groups, nature-contact, adventure activities, and therapeutic processes to create opportunities for psychological change in participants, usually with the purpose of supporting an individual (or family) to move towards greater health and well-being. Adventure therapy programs involve diverse target groups, settings, program models and aims; yet too little is understood about their characteristics and efficacy. This thesis, including published works, assists in improv- ing the health and well-being of Australian youth by providing up-to-date information, and consolidating and advancing under- standing of the therapeutic uses and treat- ment effectiveness of adventure therapy. Fur- ther, by evaluating two specific therapeutic adventure-based interventions for youth, this thesis provides valuable insight about the current utility and therapeutic outcomes of adventure therapy programs in Australia.