There have been multiple studies done on the positive effects of spending time outdoors. It’s good for your mental health, mood-boosting, stress reducing, and energy-boosting. Wilderness therapy harnesses those benefits and can provide more specific, concentrated perks — including healing relationships.
Let’s take a closer look at the role of wilderness therapy in healing relationships, and how it can improve not only how you see yourself, but how you connect with the people closest to you.
What Is Wilderness Therapy?
Wilderness therapy is more than just spending time outside or camping for a few days. It’s a type of therapy that’s offered to individuals, families, or couples as a way to address underlying issues and heal together.
While every program is a bit different, you can expect to take part in outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and more. You’ll face certain challenges that are designed to mimic the unique struggles you face in everyday life, while working together with others to overcome those challenges. You might go on long expeditions or play games. You might even take on adventures that are out of your comfort zone, like rock climbing or ziplining.
Wilderness therapy can be a lot of fun. But, every part of the program is designed to make you think about your relationships and perhaps change your perspective on them.
How Can It Help to Heal Relationships?
Many of the activities you’ll participate in throughout the therapy session involve teamwork. Group activities will require you to work together with a family member or your partner to reach an ultimate goal or overcome a challenge. Sometimes, simply working together in different ways can help you realize that you’re on the same team. It can jumpstart your willingness to fix what’s been broken in those relationships.
Wilderness therapy can also help to fight back against a negative mindset. Maybe your relationships are struggling because you tend to assume the worst about a certain person. Or, maybe you’ve started to see them in a more negative light. When you’re able to shift your perspective and see things from a positive point of view, it makes it easier to heal and feel better about that relationship.
Finally, though you’ll spend a lot of time on activities, you’ll also engage in personal therapy sessions. You’ll talk with your therapist about your struggles and the issues you’re facing in your relationships. This kind of therapy can help you better understand where those issues come from. So, you can start “rebuilding” the relationships from the ground up.
What Are the Other Benefits of Wilderness Therapy?
Wilderness therapy can completely change the way you manage your emotions. Sometimes, relationships tend to struggle because you might not be aware of your own emotions or how to fully process them. This type of therapy can help you feel more in tune with those emotions, giving you more control and more clarity.
Wilderness therapy can also improve your confidence. Self-esteem issues can negatively impact nearly every aspect of your life, including relationships. When you start to see your own strengths, skills, and expertise in different areas, you’ll believe in yourself and be able to take responsibility for your actions. Personal development is a wonderful reward that often stems from this type of therapy.
There’s no question that wilderness therapy is different from many “traditional” forms of mental health treatment. But, if you’re looking for something unique and challenging to help you heal your relationships, it could be the best opinion. Not only will your relationships improve, but you might find that your entire outlook gets better.
Contact me to learn more about wildnerness therapy and why it may be right for your unique needs.
