Talk therapy is great (we’re definitely a big fan around here), but what if we told you that improving your mental health could also involve hiking through the woods, paddling across a lake, or tackling a ropes course?
Adventure therapy takes your healing beyond the couch, and helps you to use outdoor and experiential activities to process your emotions in a healthier way whilst learning better coping skills and resilience in a hands-on way.
You might not have ever heard of it before, but this fast-growing type of therapy will definitely change the way you think about how you heal. Adventure therapy is an innovative approach that combines outdoor activities with counseling techniques to support emotional healing and mental well-being. This form of therapy uses structured experiences—such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or ropes courses—to help build confidence, resilience, and social skills. By stepping outside of traditional therapy settings, adventure therapy provides a unique and engaging way to work through mental health challenges.
While this therapeutic approach has gained traction worldwide, it has found particular popularity in our urban Chicago spaces where we can use the local parks, waterways, and greenspaces to unlock the adventure we need in life. Adventure therapy can be used for individuals and groups, across many age ranges from children to adults and to support people with various challenges.
Adventure therapy operates primarily around the idea that doing hard things helps you heal. The idea is that engaging in challenging, hands-on activities can foster personal growth. But how that’s achieved won’t look the same for every person because each session is designed with your specific therapeutic goals in mind, such as improving self-awareness, enhancing emotional regulation, or developing problem-solving skills.
You’re not just sent off into the woods on your own and expected to thrive though, don’t worry! A therapist guides the session, setting therapeutic goals based on the individual's needs—such as building confidence, improving emotional regulation, or strengthening problem-solving skills. You may try hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or team-based challenges. While adventure therapy is often conducted outdoors, some programs adapt its principles to indoor environments through interactive team-building exercises and other experiential techniques.
Throughout the experience, participants reflect on their experiences, discussing emotions, reactions, and insights with their therapist. The goal is to connect these external challenges to your internal struggles so you can begin to navigate them from a new perspective.
Honestly, if you’re interested and the idea of getting out and digging in excites you, adventure therapy is likely a great fit for helping you cope. Here are a few of the groups and symptoms which adventure therapy has proven to be very effective for:
Research suggests that adventure therapy can be a powerful tool for improving mental health. Studies have shown that physical activity combined with therapeutic guidance can lead to lasting emotional and psychological benefits. Additionally, the problem-solving and teamwork aspects of adventure therapy encourage long-term personal development.
Ethical considerations are crucial in ensuring its effectiveness. Programs should be led by trained mental health professionals who understand both therapy principles and the physical safety aspects of outdoor activities. When conducted ethically and responsibly, adventure therapy provides a safe, structured option for people looking for alternative therapeutic models when traditional therapy hasn’t worked.
Despite the myriad of research that shows just how beneficial adventure therapy can be, there are a number of myths that still circulate. We’ve created a helpful table with our thoughts on each.
“It’s Just Outdoor Recreation”
While adventure therapy includes outdoor activities, it is structured with clear therapeutic goals and guided by trained professionals.
“It’s Only for Athletes”
Activities are adapted to suit all fitness levels, ensuring accessibility for everyone.
“It’s Not Available in Urban Areas”
Even in cities like Chicago, adventure therapy programs utilize local parks, lakes, and green spaces to make outdoor therapy more accessible.
If you or a loved one are interested in adventure therapy, start your search by looking for programs that integrate mental health expertise with experiential learning. Many therapy centers now offer adventure therapy as part of their services, and programs can range from single-session experiences to ongoing therapeutic interventions.
For those in urban areas including Chicago, some organizations specialize in adapting adventure therapy to local environments, ensuring that outdoor therapy is available to people regardless of location. Whether in a national park or a city green space, healing through adventure is an approach that continues to grow in popularity and effectiveness.
