According to the text, "adventure therapy is the prescriptive use of adventure experiences provided by mental health professionals, often conducted in natural settings that kinesthetically engage clients on cognitive, affective, and behavioral levels." The types of activities used in AT vary from extreme wilderness expeditions to a challenge course used to help a family with group dynamics. There are many other approaches to mental health therapy. Just to name a few...
1. Art Therapy
2. Cognitive Behavior Therapy
3. Dog Therapy
The first from the list is art therapy. Art therapy is "a therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal developmental. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products people are able to increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms, stress and traumatic experiences; enhance cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art." This type of therapy is different from adventure therapy in the obvious way that art is the main focus of this therapy. But there is a similarity in that two that each activity is very much what the person involved makes of it. It is a very personal experience between the individual and the art they are creating, just as in AT it is how the individual responds to nature and the activities that take place there. According to a study done by Yvonne Thomas he and his colleagues found that "art provides an alternative from the problems problems associated with homelessness, mental health and substance abuse and allows for public recognition and social inclusion."
The next one is cognitive behavior therapy. Cognitive behavior therapy is focused on helping individuals understand how changing their behavior can lead to changes in how they are feeling. Usually the goal of behavior therapy is to engage the individual in more positive or socially reinforcing activities. This is similar to AT in the way that they are both focused on involving the person in experiences that are both focused on their feelings and actions.
Another type of therapy is dog therapy. Individuals volunteer to work with the therapy dogs and they are dedicated to visting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else the therapy dogs are needed. In study done by Moretti to evaluate the effects of pet therapy on cognitive function, mood and perceived quality of life on elderly inpatients affected by dementia and depression the researchers found that pet therapy is efficient in improving depressive symptoms and cognitive function in residents of long-term care facilities with mental illness.
Another type of therapy is dog therapy. Individuals volunteer to work with the therapy dogs and they are dedicated to visting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else the therapy dogs are needed. In study done by Moretti to evaluate the effects of pet therapy on cognitive function, mood and perceived quality of life on elderly inpatients affected by dementia and depression the researchers found that pet therapy is efficient in improving depressive symptoms and cognitive function in residents of long-term care facilities with mental illness.
Citations
About behavior therapy . (2013). Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/about-behavior-therapy/.
American art therapy association. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.americanarttherapyassociation.org/aata-aboutus.html.
Gass, M. A., Gillis, H.L., Russell, K. C. (2012). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and practice. New York, Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
Life stream therapy . (2009). Retrieved from http://lifestreamtherapy.com/adventure_therapy.html.
MORETTI, F., DE RONCHI, D., BERNABEI, V., MARCHETTI, L., FERRARI, B., FORLANI, C., & ... ATTI1, A. (2011). Pet therapy in elderly patients with mental illness. Psychogeriatrics, 11(2), 125-129. doi:10.1111/j.1479-8301.2010.
Therapy dogs international. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.tdi-dog.org/About.aspx.
Thomas, Y., Gray, M., McGinty, S., & Ebringer, S. (2011). Homeless adults engagement in art: First steps towards identity, recovery and social inclusion. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58(6), 429-436. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1630.2011.00977.x.
Your comparison between art therapy and adventure therapy was very interesting. I would have never thought these two types of therapy would have much in common with each other. The idea that both are very personal for each individual was a good point, especially considering both of these therapies are usually done in a group setting.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the three other types of mental health treatment you chose. Referring back to the definition of Adventure Therapy, I do agree that similarities can be found between AT and dog/pet therapy due to the natural setting. The natural aspect of these types of therapy engages the client on all three levels (cognitive, affective, and behavioral). Great post :)
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