Social Psychology & Adventure Therapy [blog 5]

Pick one of the outcome areas of AT research and link them to research in one or more of the following areas: Abnormal, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive, Developmental, Learning, and Social.

The outcome that I was most interested in from the areas of AT research was Adventure Therapy and Self-Concept. In the book it talks about how much adolescents are continuously comparing and contrasting their behavior with that of their peers to develop their sense of self, based on the feedback they receive. When they are in groups of adolescents that are all working together for a single goal, there can sometimes be the problem of forming an negative self concept. Sometimes these groups can work in a different, negative way, instead of boosting self esteem and allow the individuals to build a positive self concept.

In a study of Self Concepts of Adolescents done by Khirade, self concept was defined as "one's attitude towards self" (Khirade, 2012). It was stated that proper guidance at this crucial phase of life, adolescence, is very important to the formation of this self concept or attitude towards oneself. Just as this study found that it is important to have guidance at this time in life, the research from AT also says..."Adolescents in crisis are often poor judges, which can lead to developing problems with the law, dropping out of school, becoming increasingly aggressive, and increased substance abuse. Because of these and other related factors, much of the research in AT has focused on the degree to which AT programs enhance the participant's self-concept" (Gass, Gillis, and Russel 2012).

Because we know that our self concept comes from the way we interact with others, they way we believe others view us, and the way we view ourselves, we are very easily convinced to believe certain things about ourselves, especially when we are not yet comfortable with who we are. This is definitely relevant in AT with groups of adolescents that are getting away from negative situations and trying to better themselves, the interactions that take place within that group can be very influential.

Jumping back to what the book says,"early studies on self-concept noted that AT programs significantly enhance the self-concept of adolescents by presenting challenges that are developmentally appropriate, in that they are concrete, attainable, and increase in difficulty and challenge as the intervention progresses" (Gass, Gillis, and Russel 2012). Do you see the benefits of presenting challenges to adolescents in order to enhance their self-concept?

According to the research done in AT about these Outward Bound wilderness challenge programs,  self-concept can be changed and the "greatest effects of the adventure programs in the area of self-concept domains were for independence, confidence, self-efficacy, and self understandings, and they were further enhanced during follow-up periods" (Gass, Gillis, and Russel 2012).






Citations

Gass, M. A., Gillis, H.L., Russell, K. C. (2012). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and practice. New York, Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

Khirade, S.K. (2012). A Study of Self Concepts of the Adolescents. Indian Streams Research Journal, 2(8), 1-6.

Outward Bound Process [blog 4]

How might The Outward Bound Process be used in psychology other than treatment?

There are many ways that people could use The Outward Bound process in psychology other than just for treatment of patients in adventure therapy settings. Here is a website that talks about what Outward Bound is. This website says the idea behind Outward Bound “is that people can grow through challenge.”

The first way I thought that the Outward Bound process could be used is in research. Since the Outward Bound process is not as conventional as say, traditional ways of looking at therapy, there could be more time spent investing in the research that lead to the models that these programs are working after. It would be interesting to learn about the long-term effects of Outward Bound processes that have been used in adventure therapy and how they have influenced the clients’ life shortly following the time of treatment and then years down the road. By researching the long-term effects of these types of programs we would be able to change them in a way to better fit each new client that would be looking to processes of the same category.

            As I was reading chapter 4 it became clear to me why Adventure Therapy and Outward Bound processes would seem like a great option (especially for substance abusers). Because when you think about it, whether or not a person wants to be there, with programs like that (vs. more traditional or cognitive behavioral therapies) the client has no other choice than to be present and involved, in a sort of way that cannot be found in the traditional indoor, client/therapist setting. Through more research on the Outward Bound process, researchers may gain a better understanding of how effective the Outward Bound process is. “Thinking, feeling, & behaving as if there is something to be gained from participating.” (Gass, Gillis, and Russell 2012). All of these different emotions and behaviors lead into a change in the participants’ beliefs, as they believe they can have control & influence their own life direction. All of which could benefit from more research on the process.

            If we look at the model that is found in the book on page 71, we see that the model “illustrates how the Outward Bound process functions, as characteristic problem-solving tasks are set in a prescribed physical and social environment, which impel the participant to mastery of these tasks and which, in turn, serve to reorganize the meaning and direction of his life experience.” (Walsh and Golins, 1967, p.16).

            To make the connection between the Outward Bound process, research, and neuroscience it would be interesting to study the effects of the model of the Outward Bound process on cognitive processes and the way the brain reacts to and is activated by certain types of activities specific to the Outward Bound process. In the Outward Bound process Model, one of the key characteristics of it is the “contrasting/novel physical environment.” This helps people involved “to generalize about old or to see old with new perspectives and options available in it” (Gass, Gillis, and Russell 2012). This could definitely be a topic of research in connection with the change in cognitive processes. If the focus was then moved to social psychology, it would be interesting to investigate the differences in interactions between groups of people and which socioeconomic groups they come from. There is a lot to be learned about the way in which a persons experience could be different depending on how many people or which people they are interacting with during the programs. According to a study done by Kalisch, it was found through prior research that when a person has a solo experience, as a small part of the overall program, the quality of their experience is enhanced (Kalisch, 2011). 

            

           

           

Citations

Gass, M. A., Gillis, H.L., Russell, K. C. (2012). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and practice. New York, Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

Kalisch, K. (2011). The Outward Bound Solo: A Study of Participants' Perceptions. Journal Of Experiential Education, 34(1), 1. doi:10.5193/JEE34.1.1

Outward Bound Professional. Retrieved from: http://www.obusa.org/index.cfm/do/pro.about 

AT compared to: Music, Group, & Psychodynamic Therapies [blog 3]

In chapter 3 it states, "adventure therapists are in a clinical relationship with their clients to seek or support positive changes in their thinking, feeling, and acting." This is played out in this type of therapy through the "ABC-R triangle: emotional response (Affect), acting out or withdrawn (Behavior), or irrational or problematic thoughts (Cognition), integrated around the systemic Relationship(s) of the individual and their therapist, field staff, peer group, family, and community" (Gass, Gillis, and Russell 2012).

Some of the main qualities that AT has is that it is focused on what types of treatment work the best for the adventure therapy clients. This is adjusted client to client. One of the wonderful things about AT is how much it is about meeting the client where they are, getting to know their needs, and figuring out ways to meet those needs. This requires the therapist to tailor the therapy to each individual client. One of the qualities of AT that stands out most to me is its focus on positive psychology. That is the approach where the therapist finds what is working for the client and really focuses on increasing those feelings actions and thoughts, instead of the opposite, which is focusing on eliminating the negative thoughts (Gass, Gillis, and Russell 2012).

The first type of therapy I would like to compare AT to is Music Therapy. Music Therapy is "the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program." One similarity between Music Therapy and AT that stands out most is how each therapy is so individualized to the client. It is also a very personal experience that comes with letting yourself as the client see what it is you need to work through.

"(Music therapy) can make the difference between withdrawal and awareness, between isolation and interaction, between chronic pain and comfort - between demoralization and dignity." -Barbara Crowe (past president of the National Association for Music Therapy.)

The next type of therapy I am interested in comparing to AT is group therapy. There are a lot of similarities between group therapy and AT. "Adventure therapy is primarily a group and family treatment that views the peer and family group relationships as foundational to the process of how the therapy works. A high value is placed on the milieu of the peer group, using the impact of a positive (and negative) climate of peers" (Gass, Gillis, and Russell 2012). Group therapy is another type of psychotherapy that allows people in the group to learn from others through sharing experiences and offering advice to each other. This allows the members to have a safe place to interact and practice their new behaviors.

The last is psychodynamic therapy. There is a lot of the psychodynamic theory that makes AT what it is today. In the book it talks about if there was a situation where a client had a distorted view of themselves the therapist would present them with a treatment that would bring these thinking errors to light for everyone to see and understand, as errors. This is just one of the ways in which AT is molded to fit the need of the client. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on the psychological roots of emotional suffering. It includes a lot of self-reflection and self-examination, and the use of a relationship between the therapist and the patient to get a glimpse into the problematic relationship patterns in the patient's life. One part of the way this is carried out that is so similar to AT is that the goal of psychodynamic therapy "is not only to alleviate the most obvious symptoms but to help people lead healthier lives." If you would like to learn more about this, click here.



Citations

American music therapy association. Retrieved from: www.musictherapy.com

Gass, M. A., Gillis, H.L., Russell, K. C. (2012). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and practice. New York, Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

Shedler, Jonathan K. (2010). Psychodynamic psychotherapy brings lasting benefits through self-knowledge. American Psychologist, Vol. 65. No.2. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2010/01/psychodynamic-therapy.aspx

History in the Making. [blog 2]

There is definitely some overlap when it comes to the history of psychology and the history of adventure therapy because they are intertwined in a few ways. If we take a look at the history of psychology we will see that it goes back a few more years before AT was in the making. Starting with the first recorded event that relates to the history of psychology we have 387 BC: Plato suggested that the brain is the mechanism of mental processes. In 1793 Philippe Pinel was responsible for the release of the first mental patients living in confinement in the first massive movement for more humane treatment of the mentally ill. To me this is a very important event in the history of psychology. It has definitely made an impact on the way that patients with mental illnesses are treated and the standards for how they are to be treated have been improved. In 1848 Phineas Gage suffered brain damage, doctors noticed a change in his personality while his intellect remained intact, suggesting that an area of the brain plays a role in personality. Almost 100 years later in 1961 Carl Rogers published 'On Becoming a Person,' marking a powerful change in how treatment for mental health issues is conducted. 

On the timeline of AT history we see that in 1929 Camp Ahmek was started and that marked the beginning of a "therapeutic approach" to camping, just the beginning of what was to come for AT. Later, in Australia in 1982, 'Western Venture,' which was a therapeutic wilderness-adventure program opens and runs for 13 years before it is closed in 1995. By 1988 there was the publication of Adventure Based Counseling and the year following that there was the first wilderness-enhanced behavior managers program in Australia. A few years after that, in 1992, there was a lot that happened for AT. The first therapeutic program in Quebec State for drug addictive teens, opened and was based on fully Outdoor Experiential Pursuits. Also in 1992, in Australia, there was a Wilderness Adventure Therapy program that starts in a clinical service for child and adolescent mental health service. One of the later dates that is very relevant to us right now is in 2004 when Outdoor Therapy Institute offers Continuing Education training in Outdoor therapy approved by American Psychological Association.


Check out a timeline of the history of psychology here and a timeline of adventure therapy here.




Citations

Gass, M. A., Gillis, H.L., Russell, K. C. (2012). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and practice. New York, Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

Gillis, L. Significant historial events in adventure therapy. Retrieved from: http://www.leegillis.com/AT/2IATC/advthe.htm

History of psychology. Retrieved from: http://allpsych.com/timeline.html

Types of Therapy. [blog 1]

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. 
   

Photo came from this website. 

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.1479-8301.2010.00329.x

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.