FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

We’re continually developing our answers to the questions we’re most commonly asked about adventure therapy, and Adventure Therapy Aotearoa. Have a read below, and feel free to be in touch with any other burning questions.

 

 

What is Adventure Therapy Aotearoa?

ĀTA (Adventure Therapy Aotearoa) is a membership association for practitioners of adventure therapy and related practices in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Who is behind it?

You can read all about our current leadership team here.

Who is it for?

Anyone who is intereasted in using adventure therapy approaches within the therapetuic work htey ar doing! We’re a friendly and diverse bunch, so if you’re keen to be involved we’d love to have you join us!

Why should I join?

To support the development of this field of practice in Aotearoa, and to connect with other like-minded people. You can read more about Membership here.

What is adventure therapy?

Well, that’s the million dollar question!

Internationally there isn’t really one particular definition of adventure therapy. This means that the term is interpreted quite differently in different places around the world” – Helen Jeffery, our Treasurer and Senior Lectuer at Otago Polytechnic.

Elements of what is considered to be adventure therapy practice that are somewhat consistent

– Therapeutic Intent // Haumanu

– Nature and the outdoors // Whenua

– People/relationships // Tangata

– Adventure and challenge // Wero

Some examples of international definitions of Adventure Therapy: 

1) Australia:
Bush Adventure Therapy is a diverse field of practice combining adventure and outdoor environments with the intention to achieve therapeutic outcomes for those involved” – Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy

2) USA:
“The prescriptive use of adventure experiences provided by mental health professionals, often conducted in natural settings that kinaesthetically engage clients on cognitive, affective and behavioural levels” – Gass et al., 2012

There is a lot of useful background information on the adventure therapy Wikipedia page.

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand it’s a pretty young field, so we’re in the process of finding the words that feel right for our context and culture. ĀTA  is playing a key role in this process, as are our Members. We’d love to hear what you think.

Am I doing ‘adventure therapy’?

Different people will define this different ways, there’s lots of grey ground!  It’s much clearer to say that you are using adventure therapy approaches within the context within which you are working.  If you’re using  an outdoor or adventure setting as part of your toolkit, whilst working with safe therapeutic framework and intent you’re definitely in the domain of adventure therapy.  

How do I pursue this line of work?

Most people who arrive at adventure therapy are either outdoors professionals with an interest in the therapeutic side of their work, or therapists who have a passion for the outdoors. Whilst you don’t need to specialize in adventure setting and therapeutic intention, it is good to have knowledge in both areas. It is also important to work alongside someone who does have expertise and strength in the area that you don’t.

Supporting our members to develop safe, ethical and quality practice is a key objective for ĀTA and we have developed some resources on our career pathways page.  

Link to Career Pathways page

 

 

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