Individual Adventure Psychotherapy

Gary Stauffer, LMSW, spent over 40 years working with children, youth, and families in both mental health and school settings. He is co-author of three previous books on adventure therapy.D. Maurie Lung, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, CCAT, has provided adventure/nature-based counseling, teaching, training, and consulting internationally for over 30 years, focusing on experiential practices for healing and restoration of dignity.Tony G. Alvarez, LMSW, has spent 50 years providing social work services to youth and families while sharing his passion for experiential and adventure practices through teaching, publishing, and consulting. Kim Sacksteder, MSW, CCAT, has practiced adventure therapy for 26 years and teaches, trains, and consults through Prescott College and Adventure Therapist, LLC. Kim volunteers with AEE’s TAPG and Accreditation Program.Anita R. Tucker, PhD, LICSW, CCAT, has spent 20 years at the University of New Hampshire engaging in teaching and research focused on supporting the implementation of adventure therapy nationwide.Bobbi Beale, PsyD, has used adventure therapy for over 30 years due to its natural alignment with trauma-informed care and anti-oppressive practices to bring awareness and change to providers.

• 1. Introduction to Adventure Therapy 2. Foundations of Adventure Therapy 3. Overview of the Facilitated Wave Model 4. Preparing to Guide 5. Assessment 6. Matching Interventions 7. Shaping the Treatment Environment 8. Facilitating the Experience 9. Evaluating the Process

"Individual Adventure Psychotherapy is a groundbreaking and much-needed resource for practitioners seeking to integrate experiential, justice-centered practices into their one-on-one work with participants. Rooted in the principles of social justice and guided by the innovative Facilitated Wave Model, this book offers both a thoughtful framework and adaptable activities. An essential guide for any therapist looking to bring the healing power of adventure into individual therapy."Christine L. Norton, PhD, LCSW, professor, School of Social Work, Texas State University, co-collaborator of the Outdoor Research Collaborative for Health, Wellbeing and Experiential Engagement and editor/author of Innovative Interventions in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Adventure Therapy Around the Globe: International Perspectives and Diverse Approaches"Individual Adventure Psychotherapy illuminates that healing happens through embodied experience and in conscious relationship with self, other, and place. Rooted in trauma-informed care, social justice, and anti-oppressive practice — it provides both practical guidance and theoretical depth for clinicians committed to whole-person work, integrating body, mind, and spirit. This book will surely uplevel your work with clients."Katie Asmus, MA, LPC, BMP, Somatic Adventure Therapy Practitioner and founder of the Somatic Nature Therapy Institute, USA"Individual Adventure Psychotherapy is a must-have resource for the shelf of any practitioner who brings experiential adventure into their clinical work. It provides the reader with a step-by-step guide through the adventure therapy process, starting with assessment and carrying them through effective evaluation. Additionally, it provides the strongest theoretical overview of the individual adventure therapy process to date. The authors are practitioner and scholars who have distilled their years of knowledge and experience into an approachable text that makes the adventure therapy accessible to all."Daniel L. Cavanaugh, PhD, LCSW, CCAT, Associate Clinical Professor and Bachelor of Social Work Director at Oregon State University; Wild Hearts Program Director at Parker Bounds Johnson Foundation, Oregon, USA"This book is an invaluable resource for individual adventure therapy practitioners. Balancing research and practical application, the authors deliver an engaging and powerful presentation of this methodology. As someone who has worked in and supervised individual adventure therapy for many years, I’ll refer to this book often and readily recommend it to others."Lynette Spencer, LCSW, CCAT, Executive Director and Founder of Adventure Works of DeKalb County, IL, and Fractional Executive Director at the Parker Bounds Johnson Foundation in Portland, OR, USA"Individual Adventure Psychotherapy is practical, engaging and rooted in lived experience. Centering the human and holistic experience, it honours individuals through radical welcoming and ethical practice. A valuable resource and an honour to learn from—this will be a go-to for many practitioners."Lise Brown, MSW, RSW, Co-founder of Momenta Inc. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada