What Is Wilderness Therapy for Troubled Girls from Algona, WA?
Wilderness therapy is an adventure-based, outdoor-residential therapy used to address underlying mental, emotional, and even spiritual issues that cause self-destructive living habits in troubled girls (including those from Algona, WA).
What sets wilderness programs apart from other types of residential treatment is that the entire healing process takes place outdoors in a natural, wild environment - typically, many miles removed from civilization, even hundreds of miles removed from Algona, WA.
While no two programs are the same, most top-tier wilderness programs utilize similar psychiatric treatments such as experiential, group, mindfulness-based, and cognitive behavior therapies.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Wilderness Therapy Programs for Troubled Teens From Algona, WA
While wilderness therapy programs may sound intriguing, adventurous, and therapeutically innovative at face value, parents from Algona, WA should keep some things in mind during the selection process.
Wilderness Therapy is Almost Always Used as a Preliminary Treatment
According to a recent statistical analysis of the 28 recognized wilderness therapy programs, 80% of enrolled teens on to an additional residential treatment program. In other words, wilderness therapy programs are primarily used as a 'first step' in treatment rather than a one-stop therapeutic destination.
Additionally, many wilderness programs are partnered with other traditional, indoor residential treatment programs that recommend a teen go back and go through wilderness treatment if said program deems the student is not ready to participate in their residential program.
They are also relatively small in size and short compared to other, more mainstream residential treatment centers.
Like most treatment centers, there are varying styles and levels of treatment at a wilderness program. Depending on factors such as one's age and reasons for being treated, behavioral and mental health interventions may include individualized treatment, group and/or family therapy sessions, medication management, family-repair workshops, drug and alcohol detoxification, and one-on-one therapy sessions with a mental health professional - to name a few.
Proponents of adventure-based therapy claim that wilderness is effective in modifying one's behavioral patterns due to a combination of being immersed in the natural and wild environment (removing oneself from all distractions of the outside world) and implementing modern therapies.
Wilderness Therapy is Clinically Proven to be Effective in Treating Serious Mental Health Issues
There is no more significant threat to our nation's youth (including teenage girls from Algona, WA) than mental health-related issues in today's America. Recent polls show that one out of five teens lives with depression, anxiety, or a mixture of the two.
These epidemic-like numbers are even more concerning because suicide is currently the third-leading cause of death among teenagers.
Luckily for parents of depressed teenage girls from the Algona, WA area, wilderness therapy is a research-supported treatment provenly effective in treating depression, anxiety, and stress - more so than more traditional, indoor-based facilities.
As for why outdoor-based treatment programs are better suited to treat mental health-related issues than indoor programs, research says it combines several factors. For example, hiking (an obviously significant part of outdoor-based therapy) is clinically proven to reduce negative thinking patterns and harmful brain activity, known as rumination.
Studies have also shown that when immersed in nature, a teenage girl's brain improve her neuroplasticity, causing them to become increasingly open to receiving therapy.
Navigating the challenging environment of the wilderness also helps form bonds between teens and clinical staff. This organic relational development builds long-lasting trust between teen and their therapist. Developing and building upon the trust between camper and caregiver is crucial in a mentally ill teenage girl's willingness, ability, and overall likelihood of effectively treating their underlying mental health-related issues.
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. - Ephesians 4:11–16
Mental Health Direction in Algona, WA for Troubled Teenage Girls
Families from Algona, WA have made MasterNet their first choice for child remediation and direction. Parents, exploring support for their child, can expect a team of compassionate, experienced clinicians and leaders here at MasterNet. MasterNet operates from the understanding that "remediation" must come from the inside-out, not from the outside-in. We are dedicated to the life skills development and experiential education for all teen girls, who may be suffering from eating disorder, internet addiction (social media, porn, YouTube), or sexual abuse dilemmas, but also the entire family; with the direction they need for lasting remediation.
MasterNet recognizes that the circumstances of one struggling child does not always apply to other teenagers. As a result, our professional clinicians are dedicated to the administration of each young client’s needs; a commitment illustrated by their expert professionalism and sympathy. Here at MasterNet, we include the entire family (especially the parents) in the process of our young client’s therapy, remediation, and progress.
Our purpose is to see your struggling child make a successful transition into adulthood, while living independently as a dignified young adult. Don’t hesitate to contact MasterNet’s family consultants for more information regarding enrollment, tuition, and insurance options. For testimonials from current and past MasterNet families, reach out to our team; call one of our experienced family consultants at (435) 574-4518, and discover how we can deliver a variety of relevant residential treatment strategies (equine, life training, behavioral therapy) for your troubled child today!
“So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.... And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.' ” Luke 15:20-24, 31
