Wilderness Therapies for Troubled Teens Abusive?

In January 2007 Sun magazine (www.thesunmagazine.org) published an interview of "Help at Any Cost" author Maia Szalavitz on "The Myth of Tough Love" that exposes the abuses in the teen recovery "industry", including that in the "wilderness-survival" therapy businesses. I think this is an issue that may concern those of us interested in wilderness therapies in general.

In the current March issue of Sun, many people wrote in telling of their painful experiences. For example: "My own tough-love experience was in a wilderness-survival program. I was a 13-year-old ward of the state, recently removed from an abusive home. The program's 'let's be mean to teens in the woods' philosophy...only reinforced the distrust and anger I felt...Luckily I loved the isolation and being in the wilderness."

A few wilderness counselors wrote to protest the negative depiction.

Szalavitz responded: "After more than thirty years of selling 'tough love' the industry cannot provide a single controlled study proving its methods to be effective, or even not harmful. This goes for wilderness programs too... I do believe some wilderness programs for troubled teens are not based on a philosophy of 'let's be mean to teens in the woods,' but because the industry is unregulated, it is impossible for a parent to know what sort of treatment a child will actually get. In my book I cover a death that occurred at one of the best wilderness programs in the country...it happened because a child's complaints were ignored by staff. Wilderness may be a healing environment for some children...(but) a child can get all the benefits of being in the wilderness by entering a program for regular teens -- or, even better, taking a family camping trip."

What do you all think of this? Should there be some sort of standards or regulation for wilderness ecotherapies of all kinds?

Comments

[Amy Lenzo]

Great questions, Linda.

I don't know if regulations alone will resolve this problem, since it seems to me the issues you raise lie more with questions of individual ethics and truth in advertising that regulations, which can be and are abused regularly. But if we're talking regulations I don't see why wilderness programs would be singled out beyond the particular safety issues that are unique to that modality.

Szalavitz's point about the benefits of nature being available to teens outside of wilderness programs is important, but the truth is real wilderness experiences are very rare, and wilderness programs offer an opening into a world that most of us would never see otherwise. They offer something unique that cannot be replaced by a family camping trip, important though those are.

I know from my own experience that different children have different reactions to being in nature, depending on their earlier experiences. Sometimes a gentle, responsive guide is necessary for them to be able to access their relationship with the natural world and experience their place within it. The family unit may not provide that support; in fact, it's likely they don't have that relationship themselves.

[Morgan]

I used to work in the industry, and while I was younger then and haven't researched any studies on the subject I really believe that there is benefit in being in an outdoor therapeutic setting. I think there are lessons that can be learned there that might come more slowly or less effectively in other environments.

While also, I agree that no one can guarantee that a wilderness program or any other type of program or counseling will "fix" their kid I think there is some great benefit there. Kids cannot become healthy until they really want to. Personally I think that this is the opportunity that residential programs give to kids. None of them think they want to change initially, but given time, experience and becoming more aware of the ways that they are affecting their lives, many kids take the opportunity to stop destructive behavior and change.

There will always be those that don't change or don't want to - for pete sakes it's not like they are volunteering for an intervention. So yes, for this reason there are going to be kids that don't get "fixed" and relapse, but I think even most of them would agree after relapsing that they know what they are doing is wrong and that they benefitted from their treatment experiences.

Parents can do a lot of research on their own about programs as well, I know that strugglingteens.com has some good info, and that http://www.eprogramsearch.com/ also list a bunch of information about wilderness programs for troubled teens. Sites like these as well as research into past news articles can help parents get a feel for the quality and history of the programs they are enrolling their kids into.

So while yes these kinds of programs are not for all kids or all families, I think that Maia Szalavitz is being a little short sited if she is simply writing off the industry as a whole. I'm not saying that the industry does not need to be regulated or that deaths are justified, just that there is benefit there.

[troubled Teens]

Wilderness camps and programs are good for human being. After a research it has been concluded that these type of wilderness programs helps human being. Furthure... wilderness camps especially designed for troubled teens can show improvements in teenagers who are struggling or unmotivated.

[parker]

I have worked in the industry in the past. My view of the work has taken a 180 turn. My personal thoughts is that it is becoming exploited. Many programs concentrat on the numbers and money. Many families are being pulleded into the programs with very minimal sreaning. Although they say screening is manditory I have seen filling a spot to overcome this.When it all comes down to it the programs will then send childeren to after care. Usally in the same network. Thier is so much more involved that u do not relize until u see it 1st hand.

[Jessica]

Wilderness programs are effective for those teens that are facing behavioral problem. The unmotivated teens have to enroll in wilderness programs . These programs increase the self-confidence in child and give a new direction of his life.

[Jessica11]

Teen suicide is the common problem in teenagers. They become frustrated very soon and do not behave normally. It is difficult for single parent to teach them.

[Catherine]

There are various wilderness program for troubled teens. These programs help teens to overcome their problems and reunite with their families.

[Defiant Teen]

Struggling teens can get help from wilderness programs. Wilderness programs are very effective in helping teens as nature is a real healer.

[Wilderness programs]

Today’s teens are facing several emotional or behavioral problems such as depression, violence, drug abuse, alcohol abuse etc. Their parents are always seeking for help. Several sites are available to help the parents of troubled teens. Other treatment options for struggling teens are boarding schools, wilderness programs, boot camps etc.
http://www.restoreteens.com/

[Outdoor Programs]

Wilderness Programs, also known as Outdoor Therapy Programs, emphasize therapy and positive behavioral change over discipline. While students must follow strict guidelines to ensure the safety of all participants, nature serves as the ultimate teacher. The impact of these programs on troubled teens is remarkable.
http://www.restoretroubledteens.com/

[Beth]

I believe in the "core" concepts and ground work of Outdoor Therapy Programs and Wilderness Therapy Programs. But I, as does the organization I've worked with for over 10 years (http://www.pa.org) strongly believe in taking those core concepts (positive risk taking, challenge, social and emotional growth) and combining them with a solid, researched approach (Adventure Based Counseling) in an environment where the adults (teachers and counselors) are trained to create an emotionally and physically safe environment for learning and therapeutic growth. Through intentionally designed activities in a group setting, youth have a chance to practice and experience new behaviors. Through skilled debriefing, those new behavior skills are transferred to other aspects of their lives - relationships, school, family, community and work. Areas where they have previously been unsuccessful.

This model, Adventure Based Counseling or Behavior Management through Adventure can be applied in a school setting, residential setting, juvenile justice setting or outdoor/wilderness setting.

To say in a broad brush way that wilderness or outdoor therapy programs either do or don't work is the same as saying "all _________ people are bad" or "all _______people are good". It's sterotypical. The value of the program always is depending on core methodolgy, training and professional development of staff, and resources available.

[Jack209]

Many private boarding schools are arranging these types of wilderness programs for better growth of teens. These programs are very beneficial for teens.