Adventure-Based Counseling

Bringing Enthusiasm to Your Therapy Groups Jim Wilwerding, M.Div., MA, LMHC, CADC, NCC

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Adventure-Based Counseling
Adventure-Based Counseling (ABC) is a mixture of experiential learning, outdoor education and group counseling (Gillis & Simpson, 1994) Adventure therapy is the use of games, activities, initiatives, and peak experiences to facilitate the development of group process, interpersonal relationships, personal growth and therapeutic gain. (Ashby, Kottman, & DeGraaf, 2008)

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Yaloms Therapeutic Factors (1995)

Instillation of hope Universality Imparting information Altruism The corrective recapitulation of the primary family group Development of socializing techniques Imitative behavior Interpersonal learning Group cohesiveness Catharsis Existential factors

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Primary Goal: Improvement of SelfConcept

Key elements
Trust Building Goal Setting Challenge/Stress Peak Experiences Humor/Fun Problem Solving (Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988)
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Full Value Contract

This is the rationale for buy-in for the group. Includes expectations of group members to each other as well as personal/group goals Defines safety rules, both emotional and physical The Good Stuff
(Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988)
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Trust Building
Trust building begins with the first introduction of a new member to the group Trust is directly related to group cohesion In Adventure-Based groups, there is an inherent rationale for the group to embody trust. Through the practice of learning safety skills necessary for the challenges, the group has an experience of trust. (Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988)
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Goal Setting
According to Lewin (1944), psychological success will be experienced if:
The individual is able to define his/her own goals His/her goals are related to central needs and values S/he is able to define the paths that lead to the accomplishment of these goals The goals represent a realistic level of aspiration, neither too high or too low, but high enough to challenge. (as presented in Schoel, Prouty & Radcliffe, 1988)

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Challenge/Stress
Perceived challenge and/or impossible tasks, problems, physically demanding situation In this situation, the individual and the group face their own personal doubts/fears Properly sequenced and prepared, the client is likely to experience success
(Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988)

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Peak Experience
A culminating event in the Adventure process (i.e., ropes course outing, wilderness trip, rock climbing excursion, service project, etc.) Peak experiences can place the group in a highly focused state of support and encouragement.
(Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988)

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Humor/Fun
Humor is great medicine for the addicted mind Humor allows the individual to let go of inhibitions Remember, if treatment does not incorporate fun/humor, what appeal does a sober life have?

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Problem Solving
May include simple choices which lead to bigger choices May also include relying on others/the group for success. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts

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Challenge By Choice
The facilitators role is to present a situation where the physical safety of the participant is never in jeopardy (although it may appear so to the participant) The participants role is to determine and act within the boundaries of challenging him or herself to growth while maintaining emotional safety
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Change Zones
(Luckner & Nadler, 1997) Comfort ZoneMost familiar, maintain old patternsthe status quo Groan ZoneLittle familiarity, risky and uncomfortable, some anxiety, temptation to return to old ways Growth ZoneConfidence using new knowledge, integration of new skills, feelings of mastery & accomplishment (p. 20)
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The Adventure Wave

(Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988)

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Process
Briefingestablish metaphor, define challenge Activityfrom a leadership standpoint, less direction is definitely better than more Debriefapply the metaphor to the clients life As in many groups, invite feedback from teammates regarding clients behavior in group.
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Metaphor
The essence of metaphor is understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another. (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980) In ABC, the challenge is presented in a metaphor that engages the participant on both intellectual and affective levels (this ball IS your values, etc.)
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Metaphor
Metaphors can connect experience back to home or real life Metaphors enhance the transfer of the experiencememories get created more strongly when they are connected with an image or picture
(Luckner & Nadler, 1997)

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Metaphor
By engaging the metaphor, the participant is also drawn into self-observation and reflection on an undeniable level Once the metaphorical level of the activity is engaged, the individual can begin recognizing the Self (see Rogers) in situ

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Interpersonal Learning
The group is a social microcosm for the client If the group is so conducted that the members can behave in an unguarded, unself-conscious manner, they will, most vividly, recreate and display their pathology in the group. (Yalom, 1995, p. 39)

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Adventure Axiom If how you approach these activities is, generally speaking, how you approach life, what have you learned about yourself today?

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Leadership Considerations Safety Distress/Eustress Risk takers/Thrill-seekers Client Boundary Issues

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Leadership Considerations
Facilitators job is to keep the clients engaged in the challenge Create roles for those who choose to opt out of direct participation in the challenge (Challenge by Choice does not equate to disengagement from the group; reframe to Challenge of Choice)examples: director, observer, etc.
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Leadership Considerations
Since many challenges are perceived to be impossible the facilitator may need to offer encouragement for near misses, attempts, etc. Before long, the group can also take on this role Again, resist the urge to offer too many hints or too much direction or you risk the possibility of disrupting the clients engagement with the metaphor.
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But Our Program Has No $$

The power is in the metaphor not in the high-tech design Creative minds + powerful metaphors =

Adventure-Based Therapy

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Warm-up/Deinhibitizers
Goal is to get the group moving Giants/Elves/WizardsTag game spinoff from Rock/Paper/Scissors Flippin Burgers (Cavert & Sikes, 1997) Use the noodles to be the last remaining group member to keep your good stuff. Line upform a line from x to y (i.e., shortest to tallest, youngest to oldest, alphabetical by middle name, etc.) introduction and fun
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Warm-up/Deinhibitizers
Goal is to get the group moving Flip me the BirdTag-type game with a metaphorical twisthow do you ask for help/respond to requests for help Group Juggle I, II, III Inside out/Outside in (Cain, 2001)

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Trust Building
Willow in the WindTrust circle physical trust of others Trust Fall to group or in pairs Helium Sticktrust of group members/also a communication exercise

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Trust Building
Trust Lift (Cain, 2002)Rather than trust fall, a cradle is formed from the Raccoon Circle to carry participants across a distance or gently rocked. Friendship Walk (Cavert & Friends, 1999)

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Communication Activities
Toxic WasteBlindfolded participants are directed by teammates to guide ropes and bungee to rescue the good stuff from the pit of toxic waste Bull Ringteam works together to bring the good stuff home Going Nuts (Cavert & Friends, 1999)work to remove and rethread hexnuts from threaded rodsmetaphor of unmanagables, frustration, etc.
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Communication Activities
Traffic Jam Tanks Blind Bat (Cavert & Sikes, 1997) Robots All-Aboard Amazing Maze The Missing Link (Cain, 2004) Consensus
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Problem-Solving
Immobile Chopsticks (Cavert & Sikes, 1997) Spider Web Meuse Marble Movers (Cavert & Friends, 1999) Stepping Stones

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Problem-Solving
Trolleys (Cavert & Friends, 1999)

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Problem-Solving
Windmill (Cavert & Friends, 1999) Electric Fence/Window of Opportunity The Clothes Line (Cain, 2004) The Human Knot (Cain, 2002) Cross Every Line (Cain, 2002) A Knot Between Us (Cain, 2001) Pass the Loop (Cain, 2001)/Pass the Loop II
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Bungee Box
(Cavert & Friends, 1999)

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Amazing Maze
(Cavert & Friends, 1999)

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Horizontal Spiders Web

(Cavert & Friends, 1999)

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Lines of Communication
(Cavert & Friends, 1999)

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References
Ashby, J.S., Kottman, T, & DeGraaf, D. (2008). Active Interventions for Kids and Teens: Adding Adventure and Fun to Counseling. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Associaton. Cain, J. (2001, 2002). Raccoon Circles: A Handbook for Facilitators Book I & Book II. Brockport, NY: Teamwork and Teamplay. Available in PDF format for no cost at www.teamworkandteamplay.com Cavert, C. & Sikes, S. (1997). 50 Ways to Use Your Noodle: Loads of Land Games with Foam Noodle Toys. Tulsa, OK: Learning Unlimited Corporation. Cavert, C. & Friends (1999). Affordable Portables: A Working Book of Initiative Activities & Problem Solving Elements, Revised & Expanded Ed. Oklahoma City, OK: Wood N Barnes Publishing and Distribution. Gillis, H.L. & Simpson, C.A. (1994) Working with substance abusing adolescents through Project Adventure. Addictions Looseleaf Notebook. Aspen, CO: Love Publishing Co.
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References
Hagedorn, W.B., & Hirshhorn, M.A. (March, 2009). When Talking Wont Work: Implementing Experiential Group Activities With Addicted Clients. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, Vol 34 (1) pp. 43-67. Lakoff, G. & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors We Life By. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. Luckner, J.L., & Nadler, R.S. (1997) Processing the Experience: Strategies to Enhance and Generalize Learning. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. Schoel, J., Prouty, D., & Radcliffe, P. (1988). Islands of Healing: A Guide to Adventure Based Counseling. Hamilton, MA: Project Adventure. Yalom, I.D. (1995). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, 4th Ed. New York: Basic Books.

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Contact Information
Jim Wilwerding, M.Div., MA, LMHC, CADC
jim@newheightscounseling.org www.newheightscounseling.org
4910 Urbandale Ave. Ste. 304 Des Moines, IA 50310 P: 515-274-9690 F: 515-274-9680
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