ABSTRACT
Many professionals are drawn to the practice of adventure therapy for a variety of reasons: its solution-oriented approach, the richness of the assessment process, and the ability to reach clients with this therapeutic approach where other approaches may have failed. The development of competencies from the adventure therapy field can be traced to the early 1990s. Recreation deals with the use of adventure experiences to provide the “recreation” of supportive and enjoyable structures into clients’ lives. A client-specific adventurer would possess integrated training in adventure skills and in techniques for working with youth with substance abuse issues, but not necessarily in training as a therapist. In a team approach to adventure therapy, if professionals with different training backgrounds come together with respect to what the other brings to understanding of the client and how to work with the client, then the process is enlightened. Once competencies are achieved, adventure therapists need to continue their professional development.
