Does Wilderness Therapy Work for Troubled Teens from Okanogan, 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 Okanogan, WA Send Their Child to a Wilderness Therapy Program?
Parents from Okanogan, 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 Okanogan, 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 Okanogan, 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 Okanogan, 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
Okanogan, WA Mental Health Resources for Troubled Teens
Families from Okanogan, WA have made MasterNet their top choice when it comes to the healing and restoration of their struggling child experiencing issues related to clinical depression, substance abuse (including marijuana), or behavioral misconduct. Parents can expect MasterNet to have a team of staff consisting of compassionate, experienced therapists and leaders. Our therapists operate with the understanding that restoration must first come from the inside, rather than from external influences. MasterNet is committed to the proper help, not only for your struggling child, but your entire family as well.
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.
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 advocates 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 licensed family advocates at (435) 574-4518, and discover how we can offer a variety of relevant residential treatment strategies (equine, life training, behavioral therapy) for your troubled child today!
“Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.” Proverbs 10:12
