Does Wilderness Therapy Work for Troubled Teens from McChord AFB, WA?
Over 70 benchmark controlled studies (the majority of which were independently conducted, 26 randomized) into the efficacy of wilderness therapy found the treatment provenly effective in treating a myriad of behavioral and mental issues, including problems stemming from childhood neglect/abuse, sexual promiscuity, substance abuse, and emotional disorders.
How Long Does Wilderness Therapy Typically Last?
While programs differ in their treatment duration, 8 to 10 weeks is the standard of most wilderness programs. Steve Dubois, a Ph.D. psychologist and proponent of wilderness treatment, states that it takes the allotted timeframe of 8 to 10 weeks to complete three stages of the treatment: avoidance stage, learning stage, and a stage in which teens internalize their behavior and adopt healthier behavioral patterns.
Should Parents from McChord AFB, WA Send Their Child to a Wilderness Therapy Program?
Parents from McChord AFB, WA sometimes wonder if they should send their troubled daughter to wilderness therapy. Whether wilderness therapy is a viable option for their teen, parents should consider the following: Wilderness therapy is a widely clinically proven treatment in rehabilitating self-destructive and dangerous behaviors in mentally and behaviorally struggling teens and young adults. Therefore, if their teenage son or daughter is displaying unhealthy behavior patterns due to mental and emotional deficiencies, wilderness therapy is a proven method in terms of rehabilitation.
Things for Parents from ~region to Consider When Considering Wilderness Therapy
One of the most frequently asked questions from parents from McChord AFB, WA include, “is a wilderness therapy program located hundreds of miles from home really the best option for my struggling teenage daughter?”
Parents who are worried about the vast amount of distance between their family’s home and the actual location of a wilderness therapy program fear not; it’s by design. Almost all wilderness therapy programs are specially placed in the vast, middle-of-nowhere wilderness. Almost every child that is sent to a wilderness camp lives multiple states away from the camp’s geographical location. In terms of distance from home, the hundreds or even thousands of miles a wilderness therapy program is away from a person’s house should not be considered when deciding whether or not to send a troubled teen to its campus.
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 McChord AFB, 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 McChord AFB, 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 Teens in McChord AFB, WA
Families from McChord AFB, 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 McChord AFB, 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.
Because working with highly resistant teenagers is challenging, most programs rely on level systems, punishments, and other behavioral techniques to manage the teen’s behavior. However, MasterNet recognizes that the personal circumstances of one troubled child doesn’t always apply to all of our students. Because of this, MasterNet’s licensed therapists are committed to the management of each teenagers requirements; and they do this with professionalism and sympathy. At MasterNet, we involve the entire family (especially the parents) in the teenager’s therapy, restoration, and help. MasterNet has served numerous troubled teens over the years. Our track record has proven to cause life changing results for our students and their families.
MasterNet has transformed the lives of countless troubled teens over the years, including many from McChord AFB, WA. Our approach has improved the lives of our troubled students, and their families. We see that struggling teenagers can grow to be healthy adults with a desire to succeed! MasterNet understands that in order for our troubled students to experience real restoration, the entire family needs to be part of the life skills development and experiential education help that our therapists offer. Our family advocates can be reached immediately at (435) 574-4518.
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:12-17
