ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT. This exploratory study investigated the use of adventure therapy (AT) as a supplementary group therapy approach to enrich the therapeutic experience for 11 middle-aged men seeking therapy in an office setting. Results from a semistructured group interview suggested participants found AT encouraged deeper therapeutic processing compared with their accounts of traditional group therapy. Participants noted the wilderness context, retreat length, and shared adventure activities as critical factors for reflection and therapeutic processing. Involvement in AT provided opportunities for gaining new perspectives, developing trust rapidly, and sharing personal issues more readily. The single-gendered nature of the group seemed to enhance a sense of camaraderie and empathy. Clinical implications are discussed within the context of AT and therapeutic interventions for men. From Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 12, 188-194. Copyright © 2011 by the American Psychological Association. Reprinted with permission.
