Featured

Outward Bound (outwardbound.org)
Outward Bound has been offering a variety of challenging wilderness programs for over forty years. While it does not provide a structured therapeutic recovery program, the emphasis on skills development and personal growth in areas such as self-reliance, responsibility, teamwork, leadership, confidence, and self-knowledge can have a positive impact on long term recovery.

Alphabetical

ADULT PROGRAMS

HealingQuest LLP (wildernessthx.com)
HealingQuest offers wilderness therapy to connect with the balance nature provides. Trips can be day trips or multiple days and offers a variety of outdoor activities. They emphasize being present in the natural environment and sharing experiences and insight with other participants. The clinical director works with participant's therapists to support recovery and treatment plans. Healing Quest is based in Boulder Colorado and has field areas in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.

Passages to Recovery (passagestorecovery.com)
This innovative treatment and recovery program specializes in helping adults ages 18 to 50 with a variety of issues including substance abuse, anxiety, depression, difficulties with relationships, and others. The program integrates the philosophy of the twelve steps with traditional therapy and the healing power of the wilderness. They offer flexible lengths of stay with a minimum of 35 days.

top

YOUTH PROGRAMS

ANASAZI Foundation (anasazi.org)
ANASAZI Foundation is a licensed and JCAHO-accredited outdoor behavioral healthcare provider for youth and young adults with substance abuse and other emotional or behavioral concerns. It offers a variety of programs including a 42-day outdoor treatment program for youths ages 12-17 and young adults ages 18-25, as well as outpatient counseling and community drug awareness and education forums. They offer significant financial assistance for those families in need.

ASCENT (ascent4teens.com)
A therapeutic outdoor program for teens between the ages of 13 and 17 who are experiencing destructive emotional and behavioral problems. It integrates a wilderness challenge experience with residential treatment. ASCENT is an initiative of The Brown Schools, a national provider of education, therapeutic and family support services for children with special needs.

Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Expeditions (cfreer.com)
This program combines behavior management therapy, a modified 12-step approach, individual and group psychotherapy and 21-day or 51-day wilderness trips in the Pacific Northwest for teens with drug, alcohol and behavioral problems. The program is accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)

Lone Star Expeditions (lonestarexpeditions.com/philosophy.html)
Affiliated with the Aspen Education Group, this licensed outdoor treatment program designed by clinicians combines traditional therapy with a wilderness setting. Lone Star Expeditions specializes in helping adolescents ages 13-17 who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, attention, or learning problems.

Monarch Center for Family Healing (monarchfamilyhealing.com)
The Monarch Center for Family Healing is a wilderness therapy program for youths between the ages of 10 and 18 who are struggling with a variety of issues including substance abuse, depression, ADD, delinquency, poor school performance, and anger management, among others. The program consists of wilderness therapy, individual and family therapy, and an educational program approved by the Colorado Department of Education. There are two main programs: long term (from 30-150 days) and weekend courses available continuously throughout the year. The Monarch Center is licensed as a Residential Treatment Center by the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Mountain Homes Youth Ranch (MHYR) (mountainhomesyouthranch.com)
Mountain Homes Youth Ranch is a therapeutic growth program in a wilderness setting.  Licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services as a resident camp, MHYR conducts a three-phase wilderness therapy program that provides the opportunity for emotional and physical challenge.  The program includes daily group therapy and weekly individual therapy by a certified counselor.  Tuition is $275 per day and covers the child's room, board, therapy, skills learning tools, 24-hour supervision, recreational activities, and therapy.  The minimum stay is 42 days.  The MHYR program is divided into three phases: 1) Beginning Wilderness phase which can be completed in 21 days 2)  Advanced Wilderness phase which is also 21 days and 3)  Ranch Phase which provides additional time to work on life skills, academics or work ethic.  This typically lasts 63 days and is considered an excellent transitioning tool to the child's next living setting.

SUWS Youth Program (suwsyouth.com)
This outdoor experiential program based in southern Idaho offers struggling teens between the ages of 11-13 and 14-17 a treatment program consisting of individualized treatment plans and flexible lengths of stay.

Trailhead Wilderness School (trailheadwildernessschool.com)
Trailhead Wilderness School is a wilderness therapy program providing help for youths between the ages of 10 and 18 who are struggling with a variety of issues including substance abuse, depression, ADD, delinquency, poor school performance, and anger management, among others. The program consists of wilderness therapy, individual and family therapy, and an educational program approved by the Colorado Department of Education. There are two main programs: long term (from 30-150 days) and weekend courses available continuously throughout the year. Trailhead is licensed as a Residential Treatment Center by the Colorado Department of Human Services.

top