Healing in Action

Barney Straus, LCSW, CGP, is a psychotherapist in private practice with Working Sobriety in Chicago. He is the founder of Adventure Forward Therapy, a practice dedicated to using adventure-based methods to help clients achieve therapeutic goals. In addition to providing group and individual therapy, Straus offers adventure-based retreats and trainings. He is also a part-time faculty member at Loyola University Chicago, School of Social Work, and Roosevelt University, Department of Psychology. Barney is a Certified Group Psychotherapist, certified Level 2 challenge course facilitator, and a fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association.

• Introduction, The ABC’s of Adventure-Based Counseling, Part I, History and Theoretical Underpinnings of ABC, Chapter 1, Group Theory Applied to ABC, Chapter 2, ABC for Trauma Survivors, Chapter 3, Unique Attributes of ABC and Some Practical Matters, Part II, ABC in Outpatient Mental Health Settings, Chapter 4, Overview of a Session, Chapter 5, Can Day: Discovering New Abilities within You¾What “Can” You Do?, Chapter 6, Noodle Day: Using Your Brain for Positive Growth and Change, Chapter 7, Ball Day: So-Long, Gym Class; Hello, Self-Acceptance, Chapter 8, Word Day: Saying and Playing What You Mean, Chapter 9, Paper Day: Beyond Reading and Writing On, Chapter 10, Numbers Day: Multiply Your Strengths!, Chapter 11, Rope Day: Securing Success, Chapter 12, Playing Card Day: Everybody Wins!, Chapter 13, Tarp Day: An Indoor Adventure, Chapter 14, No Prop Day: Pure Fun—Willingness Not Included, Chapter 15, Animal Day: Let Your Essence Shine, Chapter 16, Balloon Day: Finding the Levity within You, Part III, Adventure-Based Counseling for Recovery from Addiction, Chapter 17, Walking the Walk: ABC and Recovery from Addiction, Chapter 18, Recovery Adventure Day,

This book is an impressive tour de force as it integrates the simplest forms of play with the most complex psychological dynamics that unfold as we work with mental illness and addiction. The most outstanding characteristic is its availability to the relatively new and inexperienced activity therapist and its simultaneously profound implications for the more seasoned and sophisticated psychotherapist, particularly those of us who practice group psychotherapy.