Adventure Group Psychotherapy

Adventure Group Psychotherapy: An Experiential Approach to Treatment explores what is necessary for an experiential therapy group to function effectively, and the practical skills needed to inspire success. The authors describe how to use activities in a manner that produces the greatest opportunity for clients to reach their goals. Issues such as how to actively assess client functioning in the group, how to select the appropriate activity, how to shape an effective environment, and how to help clients process their experience are a few of the aspects examined to help clients move toward their goals. The practical skills the authors describe enable readers to immediately learn and apply their practice with groups. This book will be an important tool in any group therapy class, in practice settings to train practitioners, and for any clinician trying to expand their group work capabilities.

Tony G. Alvarez, LMSW, is owner of Alvarez Consulting and consults through Point b(e) Strategies. He taught adventure classes for many years at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Gary Stauffer, LMSW, spent over 35 years working with children, youth, and families in both mental health and school settings. He is currently retired, but still an active advocate for adventure therapy. D. Maurie Lung, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, is the founder and CEO of Life Adventures Counseling and Consulting and associate professor at Prescott College overseeing the Adventure-Based Psychotherapy and Ecotherapy post-graduate programs. Kim Sacksteder, MSW, LISW-S, is the co-owner of Adventure Therapist, LLC and Residential Clinical Supervisor of group therapy programs at The Buckeye Ranch. Bobbi Beale, PsyD, is the CEO of Life Adventures for All, dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations with adventure therapy, and senior research associate, trainer, and consultant for the Center of Innovative Practices at Case Western Reserve University. Anita R. Tucker, PhD, LICSW, is professor of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire where she coordinates the University of New Hampshire's Dual MSW/MS program with a focus on adventure therapy and is the associate director of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center.

1. An Introduction 2. Foundations of Adventure Group Psychotherapy 3. Building Blocks of Adventure Group Psychotherapy: Moving Beyond Group Treatment Foundations with Experience 4. Overview of the Facilitated Wave 5. Guiding the Learning 6. Assessment 7. Matching 8. Shaping the Environment 9. Facilitating the Experience 10. Evaluating the Process 11. Concluding Invitation Appendices Index