What Is Wilderness Therapy for Troubled Girls from Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, WA
While wilderness therapy programs may sound intriguing, adventurous, and therapeutically innovative at face value, parents from Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, 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 Resources for Troubled Youth in Ferndale, WA
Families from Ferndale, WA, seeking assistance for their troubled child, trust the help that MasterNet provides for teenagers who may be experiencing trials related to behavioral or process addiction (gaming, porn), adoption (attachment disorder), or anxiety disorder. Here at MasterNet, our experienced therapists have a deep and wise understanding of the issues that troubled teens from Ferndale, WA are experiencing every day. With dedication and expertise, our team provides help to our struggling students, so they may recognize and deal with their substance abuse (including marijuana) or pain medication abuse/addiction in a way that is both healthy and productive. We specialize in a variety of relevant residential treatment strategies (equine, life training, behavioral therapy), that is based on a solid trifecta of trust and respect. Through this approach, we inspire an internally motivated restoration that lasts a lifetime.
As a result, MasterNet is committed to meeting the particular needs of each teenager with the utmost professionalism and compassion. MasterNet’s therapists and field staff discourage the use of judgments and labels, and never condone one’s diagnosis to interfere with a struggling teenager’s sense of self or ability to form friendships with one another. MasterNet has provided assistance to numerous families from all over the nation. Our experienced therapists offer superior treatment to set the path of restoration for teens struggling with trials such as food addiction (binge eating, overeating), bullying (or being bullied), or even behavioral misconduct.
Because we specialize in a variety of relevant residential treatment strategies (equine, life training, behavioral therapy) and provide outdoor recreation and adventure therapy, troubled teenagers can grow to be healthy adults, and MasterNet’s students can emerge as strong people who are motivated to succeed. MasterNet recognizes that the entire family needs the assistance that our experienced therapists offer; so that your child can be rehabilitated and whole. MasterNet’s family advocates can be reached immediately at (435) 574-4518.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” Galatians 5:22
