Wilderness therapy explained

Wilderness therapy, also known as outdoor behavioral healthcare, is a treatment option for behavioral disorders, substance abuse, and mental health issues in adolescents.^[1] Patients spend time living outdoors with peers. Reports of abuse, deaths, and lack of research into efficacy have led to controversy, and there is no solid proof of its effectiveness in treating such behavioral disorders, substance abuse, and mental health issues in adolescents.

The term "wilderness therapy" is sometimes used interchangeably with "challenge courses, adventure-based therapy, wilderness experience programs, nature therapy, therapeutic camping, recreation therapy, outdoor therapy, open-air therapy and adventure camps."^[2] The lack of a consistent definition has created problems with comparing studies into the effectiveness of programs. To address this, an integrated definition of a wilderness therapy program is offered as one which "utilizes outdoor adventure activities, such as primitive skills and reflection, to enhance personal and interpersonal growth." Fermnee et al. further distinguish wilderness therapy from adventure therapy by placing it within wilderness settings where the location and remoteness becomes a central part of the procedure, while also separating wilderness therapy from other forms of wilderness-based behavioural programs through the "clinical and therapeutic methods" that are applied.^[3]

In part, the lack of a concise definition comes from the different environments in which these therapies have developed: for example, within the US wilderness therapy can be seen to have emerged from youth camps and experiential education; in Scandinavia the approach is connected to the outdoor life tradition; in Australia and Canada it is tied more to Indigenous practises.^[4]

Models

Natalie Beck and Jennifer Wong in their 2020 paper "A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Wilderness Therapy on Delinquent Behaviors Among Youth" offer three models of wilderness therapy: an expedition model, generally lasting for less than 8 weeks; a base camp model, where clients stay at a central location but engage in "short wilderness excursions"; and a long-term model, where clients engage in wilderness excursions but otherwise remain in a residential program.^[5] In the expedition model, clients undergo an extended hiking trip, setting up camps in various locations as they are taught survival skills. With the base camp approach the clients stay at a central facility, but undertake wilderness excursions from that location which can last for multiple days. Finally, when using the long term model, clients stay at a "rural camp" for an extended period – potentially up to 2 years – and "a wilderness component is introduced in daily activities or in the facility setting."

In the US a large number of these programs are located in the state of Utah.^[6] Incidents of alleged and confirmed abuse and deaths of youths have been widely reported across many of these programs.^[7]

History

Many programs in the western United States started operating in the 1970s. Some were started by former students of Brigham Young University such program as the Aspen Achievement Academy^[8] and the School for Urban and Wilderness Survival which is located in the state of Idaho.^[9]

Effectiveness

Critics say that the effectiveness of wilderness therapy is unclear, and that further scientific studies are needed.^[10]

One meta review concluded that wilderness therapy may reduce delinquent behaviors among young participants.^[5] Another review has suggested that for childhood cancer survivors, wilderness therapy programs could increase social involvement, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-efficacy, social support, and physical activity, and may decrease their discomfort and psychological distress.^[2] However, the majority of the articles included in the review did not assess possible safety issues for participants in wilderness programs, and the authors recommended that possible side effects be investigated further.^[2]

While there are often claims of treatment success, most participants in wilderness therapy programs do not return home after the programs are complete, instead remaining institutionalized in other treatment programs.^{[1] [11]}

Clients

Many wilderness therapy programs are part of the troubled teen industry much like therapeutic boarding school and residential treatment centers.^[12] A study of adolescents sent to wilderness therapy and residential treatment programs in the United States found that clients tended to have "greater than average intelligence and academic achievement" in spite of often having issues with schooling (18% having been suspended and 12.7% expelled).^[13] Behaviors leading to a placement in these programs included defiance, substance abuse, school problems and running away, with clients often showing violent and criminal behaviours (44% had assaulted family or nonfamily members), and "approximately a third" of those sent to the centers reported self-harm including suicide attempts. Other programs, though, have focused on different groups such as cancer survivors, people with diabetes and clients with disabilities.

Consent

One study found that, among the 17 surveyed US Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Programs, about half of the therapy participants attended involuntarily and were transported by teen escort company.^[1] A "remarkably low" proportion of these participants return home after taking part in the programs, with most youths remaining institutionalized in some form of therapeutic program after the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare program is complete.^[1] Participants are less likely to return home after treatment if they were involuntarily transported to the program than if they enrolled voluntarily.^[1]

Costs

Costs can vary, but in the US they "can cost upwards of $50,000 per stay".^[14] In 2016 the American Hospital Association recognised wilderness therapy as a viable treatment model and provided an insurance billing code.^[15] This, along with the increasing use of national accreditation programs, has allowed some US providers to work with insurance companies to increase coverage for their programs, but insurance companies sometimes reject the claims "because there is not enough data to justify that the treatment is effective and that the cost is necessary for said treatment."

Regulation

The was formed to provide an industry oversight body.^[16] In 2021, the state of Oregon implemented regulations on transportation, banning the use of blindfolds, hoods, and handcuffs.^[17]

Controversy

Allegations of abuse, deaths, and lawsuits

There are well-documented cases of death, abuse, and other potentially traumatic situations associated with or caused by wilderness programs, including the following cases:

• February 1990 – Three teenagers drown at Convict Lake whilst enrolled at Camp O'Neal.^[18] Camp director Bobbi Trott, who was in charge during the teenagers' death, would go on to found Crater Lake School^[19] and be a founding member of NATSAP.^[20]
• May 9, 1990 – Michelle Lynn Sutton from California dies from dehydration whilst enrolled at the Summit Quest program.^[21]
• 1990 – Kristen Chase dies three days into the Challenger Wilderness Program.^[22]
• January 15, 1995 – Aaron Bacon dies from acute peritonitis whilst attending the North Star Wilderness Program.^[23]
• 2001: The New York Times reports that there have been 31 deaths at outdoor camps for troubled youths in 11 states since 1980.^[24]
• May 27, 2002 – Erica Harvey dies from heat stroke and dehydration.^[25]
• July 15, 2002 – Ian August dies during a hike whilst attending the Skyline Journey Wilderness therapy program.^[26]
• August 2002 – 11 teens are found in distress at a wilderness therapy program camp and taken into protective custody by Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services child and family services division.^[27]
• September 18, 2002 - William Edward Lee suffers damage to vertebral artery after being restrained.
• October 14, 2003 - Charles “Chase” Moody asphyxiates and dies after staff improperly restrains him at the On Track wilderness program in Texas.^[28]
• March 23, 2003 – Cory Baines dies after a tree limb falls on his tent during the Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy program.
• August 28, 2009 – Sergey Blashchishen dies from dehydration and hyperthermia whilst at Sagewalk Wilderness Therapy Program.^[29]
• November 23, 2014 – Alec Lansing dies from hypothermia and broken femur whilst trying to run away.^[30]
• December 2015 – Six students are evacuated from Open Sky Wilderness Program and flown to Denver, Colorado with frostbite; the Open Sky Wilderness Program is accredited by Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council, Association for Experiential Education, and the Department of Human Services for Colorado and Utah.^[31]
• February 2024– A 12-year-old boy was found dead at a camp located in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina. He had arrived at the camp less than 24 hours before he was found dead by camp staff. ^[32] Days later, a woman files a lawsuit alleging she was sexually assaulted by a fellow camper at age 12 at the same camp. ^[33]

Maia Szalavitz, author of the 2006 book , has concluded that many tactics employed by wilderness-therapy programs are no different than those used at Guantanamo Bay.^[34] Szalavitz has documented cases of emotional and physical abuse, and the withholding of food, water, and sleep.

In October 2007 and April 2008, the United States Government Accountability Office convened hearings to address reports of widespread and systemic abuse in adolescent treatment facilities. In connection to the hearing, they issued a report about the wilderness therapy industry, in which thousands of allegations of abuse were examined.^{[35] [36]} The Federal Trade Commission has published a list of questions for parents to ask when considering a wilderness program.^[37]

Due to the trauma and alleged harm reported by former wilderness program residents who have been forcibly escorted into placement, psychologists have heavily criticized this approach as inappropriate, and grossly inconsistent with establishing the necessary trust required for building a therapeutic relationship between youth and providers.^[38] Some former participants testify that they suffer lifelong trauma from experiences at these programs.^[39]

Staff qualifications

In some programs, licensed mental health personnel are not employed to work directly with participants, ⁣ with programs instead hiring licensed mental health personnel as consultants or in other roles.^[40]

To be licensed in the counseling field, one must possess at least a master's degree in counseling, but much of the time these counselors are individuals without even a bachelor's degree. Some programs report having no licensed mental health professionals on staff.^[41] Some have argued that it is unethical for programs serving “high-risk” youth to deliver therapeutic services using less than professionally trained and credentialed mental health staff.

Some researchers have argued that national standards should be created with respect to the training, formal education, and licensure in therapeutic wilderness programs. Wilderness programs are not required to employ licensed workers, ⁣ and so the counselors may be unqualified to help adolescents in the programs to create therapeutic change.

After the program

After a wilderness therapy program, clients may return home (although this is not typical^[1]) or may be transferred to a therapeutic boarding school, young adult program, or intensive residential treatment center.

Notable former clients

• Chet Hanks^[42]
• Paris Hilton^[43]
• Members of Winthrop Rockefeller's family^[44]
• Bhad Bhabie^[45]

See also

• Outdoor education
• Experiential education
• Primitive skills
• Bushcraft
• Therapy
• Intervention (counseling)
• Group psychotherapy
• Educational consultant
• Ecopsychology
• Troubled teen industry
• Death march

Further reading

• Burke, Larry (October 1995) "Wilderness Education Gone Brutally Wrong", Outside. Retrieved December 25, 2022
• Cooper, Kelly-Leigh (June 19, 2001) "Troubled US teens left traumatised by tough love camps", BBC News Online. Retrieved December 25, 2022
• Canham, Matt (October 11, 2007) "Ten have died in wilderness therapy programs - and Congress wants to know why" The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved December 25, 2022
• Web site: Fanlo . Ciara . November 15, 2022 . I survived a wilderness camp: 'It's not necessary to break a person's will' . December 25, 2022 . The Guardian . en.
• Web site: Okoren. Nicolle . November 14, 2022 . The wilderness 'therapy' that teens say feels like abuse: 'You are on guard at all times' . December 25, 2022 . The Guardian . en.
• Book: Rosen, Kenneth R. . Troubled: The Failed Promise of America's Behavioral Treatment Programs . 2021 . Little A . 978-1542007887.
• Harper . Nevin J. . Dobud . Will . Magnuson . Doug . June 2, 2022 . Can Involuntary Youth Transport into Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Treatment Programs (Wilderness Therapy) Ever Be Ethical? . Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. 10.1007/s10560-022-00864-2 . 250539733 .
• Reiss, Richard (2011). Desperate love : a father's memoir^[46]

Notes and References

1. Dobud . Will . June 14, 2021 . A Closer Look at Involuntary Treatment and the Use of Transport Service in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (Wilderness Therapy) . Child & Youth Services . 1–20 . July 27, 2021.
2. Jong, Mats; Lown, E. Anne; Schats, Winnie; Mills, Michelle L.; Otto, Heather R.; Gabrielsen, Leiv E.; Jong, Miek C. (2021) "A scoping review to map the concept, content, and outcome of wilderness programs for childhood cancer survivors", PLOS One, 16 (1), doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243908
3. Fernee, Carina R.; Gabrielsen, Leiv E.; Andersen, Anders J. W.; Mesel, Terje (2017) "Unpacking the Black Box of Wilderness Therapy: A Realist Synthesis", Qualitative Health Research, 27 (1). doi:10.1177/1049732316655776
4. Harper, Nevin J.; Gabrielsen, Leiv E.; Carpenter, Cathryn (2018) "A cross-cultural exploration of 'wild' in wilderness therapy: Canada, Norway and Australia", Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 18 (2), pp148-164. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2017.1384743
5. Beck, Natalie; Wong, Jennifer S. (2022) "A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Wilderness Therapy on Delinquent Behaviors Among Youth", Criminal Justice and Behavior, 49 (5), doi:10.1177/00938548221078002
6. News: Miller . Jessica . April 5, 2022 . How Utah became the leading place to send the nation's troubled teens . . December 27, 2022.
7. Web site: The rise and fall of Steve Cartisano . High Country News . April 12, 2009 . June 10, 1998 . Smith . Christopher .
8. News: January 15, 1995 . Behind Wilderness Therapy . Los Angeles Times . December 27, 2022.
9. News: Maffy . Brain . September 12, 2008 . BYU alumnus sparks off lucrative, controversial wilderness-therapy industry . . December 12, 2022 . "After Olsen left BYU, he and other established the first wilderness therapy programs, such as Idaho's School for Urban and Wilderness Survival.".
10. News: Bauer . Ethan . Can the $300 million 'troubled teen' therapy sector be reformed by legislation and public pressure? . July 31, 2021 . Deseret News . July 12, 2021.
11. News: August 15, 2002 . Troubled Teens Endure Wilderness Therapy . . May 24, 2023.
12. News: Okoren . Nicolle . November 14, 2022 . The wilderness 'therapy' that teens say feels like abuse: 'You are on guard at all times' . . December 27, 2022.
13. Bettmann, Joanna E.; Lundahl, Brad W.; Wright, Rachel; Jasperson, Rachael A.; McRoberts, Chris H. (2011) "Who are They? A Descriptive Study of Adolescents in Wilderness and Residential Programs", Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 28 (3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/0886571X.2011.596735
14. News: Okoren . Nicolle . November 14, 2022 . The wilderness 'therapy' that teens say feels like abuse: 'You are on guard at all times' . . December 29, 2022.
15. Tucker, A.R., Norton, C.L., DeMille, S., Talbot, B., Keefe, M. (2022). "Wilderness Therapy" in Leffler, J.M., Frazier, E.A. (eds) Handbook of Evidence-Based Day Treatment Programs for Children and Adolescents. Issues in Clinical Child Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14567-4_21
16. Book: Blankenship, C. A.. American Family Therapy Academy (Springer Cham). AFTA SpringerBriefs in Family Therapy. Cham, Switzerland. 2019. 1. 83. Eco-Informed Practice : Family Therapy in an Age of Ecological Peril. Wilderness and Adventure Immersion Therapy. 10.1007/978-3-030-14954-3_7 . 978-3-030-14953-6. 156045157 . . 2196-5528. 2196-5536. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-14954-3_7.
17. News: Salter . Jim . September 27, 2022 . Rules sought for 'gooning,' taking troubled kids to care . . December 30, 2022.
18. Web site: Hurst . John . February 23, 1990 . Camp O'Neal Has History of Violating State Rules . August 11, 2023 . Los Angeles Times . en-US . "Camp O’Neal, the youth facility in charge of three teen-agers who died in the Convict Lake tragedy, has been repeatedly cited over the last two years for violating state licensing standards--including improperly supervising and medicating residents, failing to train staff adequately and supplying inadequate clothing for youngsters.".
19. Web site: Associated Press . January 2, 2004 . Crater Lake School to close for good . August 11, 2023 . Longview Daily News . en.
20. Santa . John L. . November 30, 2019 . A Brief History of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, Reprinted and Updated. . Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs . 11 . 18–29 . 10.19157/JTSP.issue.11.01.10. 203019189 .
21. Web site: Archives . L. A. Times . May 13, 1990 . Teen-Ager's Death on Hike Investigated . July 30, 2023 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
22. News: Mcentee . Peg . May 28, 1992 . Founder of Wilderness Survival Program Cleared in Teen's Death . . December 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316141325/https://apnews.com/article/cc2782517ae5a2ecf48cf0971e7d7c8c . 16 March 2023.
23. News: Morgenstern . Joe . January 15, 1995 . A Death in the Desert . . December 29, 2022.
24. News: Janofsky . Michael . July 15, 2001 . States Pressed As 3 Boys Die At Boot Camps . en-US . The New York Times . August 10, 2023 . 0362-4331 . "At least 31 teenagers in 11 states have died at these camps since 1980, including 3 this year, in widely diverse circumstances.".
25. News: October 11, 2007 . Utah wilderness therapy deaths . . December 29, 2022.
26. News: July 15, 2002 . Teen Dies During Utah Wilderness Hike . . December 29, 2022.
27. News: August 10, 2002 . 'Wilderness Therapy' Teens Found in Distress' . . December 26, 2022 . "Eleven teens enrolled in a “wilderness therapy” program are in protective custody after social workers found them camping in cold, rainy weather with limited food and shelter, state officials said in Helena.".
28. Web site: 2002-10-23 . Teen Died in Illegal Restraint Hold . 2023-11-30 . The Edwardsville Intelligencer . en-US.
29. News: Levine . Art . July 18, 2012 . Dark side of a Bain success . . December 29, 2022.
30. Web site: November 26, 2014 . Autopsy: Missing teen fell, broke hip, died of hypothermia . May 23, 2023 . WYFF . en.
31. Web site: November 8, 2020 . Open Sky chief says agency 'deeply concerned' about frostbite cases . December 25, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108143538/https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/100484-open-sky-chief-says-agency-deeply-concerned-about-frostbite-cases . November 8, 2020 .
32. Web site: Mikkelsen . Emily . 2024-02-16 . Campers removed from Trails Carolina amid investigation of 12-year-old's death, NCDHHS orders . 2024-02-22 . FOX8 WGHP . en-US.
33. Web site: Praats . Michael . 2024-02-12 . Lawsuit says sexual assaults went unreported at NC wilderness camp where child died . 2024-02-22 . WSOC TV . en.
34. News: Silverman . Amy . Losing Erica: Cynthia Clark Harvey Doesn't Want Anyone Else's Child to Die in a Wilderness-Therapy Program . July 31, 2021 . Phoenix New Times . November 5, 2009.
35. Web site: GAO . Residential Treatment Programs - Concerns Regarding Abuse and Death in Certain Programs for Troubled Youth, Statement of Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director Forensic Audits and Special Investigations and Andy O'Connell, Assistant Director Forensic Audits and Specials Investigations, October 10 . 2007 . Government Accountability Office .
36. Web site: Congressional Hearings on Child Abuse and Deceptive Marketing by Residential Programs for Teens. 2008. Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives. August 15, 2013.
37. Web site: Residential Treatment Programs for Teens. FTC. 2009. August 15, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20200303074231/https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0185-residential-treatment-programs-teens. March 3, 2020.
38. Web site: Congressional Testimony: Hearings on Residential Treatment Programs: Concerns Regarding Abuse and Death in Certain Programs for Troubled Youth . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/i3ye8YB109M . December 21, 2021 . live. Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives . August 15, 2013 . Pinto . Dr Alison .
39. News: Bastian . Jonathan . 'Almost everyone is left with trauma': The impact of American's unregulated wilderness teen therapy industry . July 31, 2021 . KCRW . July 30, 2021.
40. Davis-Berman . Jennifer . Berman . Dene S. . 1993 . Therapeutic wilderness programs: Issues of professionalization in an emerging field . Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy . en . 23 . 2 . 127–134 . 10.1007/BF00952173 . 2015559 . 0022-0116.
41. Russell . Keith . Gillis . H. Lee . Lewis . T. Grant . August 2008 . A Five-Year Follow-Up of a Survey of North American Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Programs . Journal of Experiential Education . en . 31 . 1 . 55–77 . 10.1177/105382590803100106 . 144968814 . 1053-8259.
42. Web site: The Making and Unmaking of Chet Hanks's "White Boy Summer" . . April 15, 2021 .
43. Sugiuchi, Deirdre (October 5, 2020) "Like Paris Hilton, I Am A Survivor Of A Troubled Teen Treatment School And It Was A Nightmare", HuffPost. Retrieved December 26, 2022
44. Web site: June 10 . Christopher Smith . The rise and fall of Steve Cartisano . www.hcn.org . 9 January 2024 . en-us . 10 June 1996.
45. Web site: Gulino . Elizabeth . Bhad Bhabie Was Just 13 When Dr. Phil Sent Her To A Troubled Teen Ranch — Here's What Happened . www.refinery29.com . 9 January 2024 . en-CA.
46. Book: Reiss, Richard . Desperate love : a father's memoir . 2011 . Serving House Books . Paula Kaplan-Reiss . 9780983828914 . Florham Park, N.J. . 1204336786.