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Adventure-Based Counseling

Adventure-Based Counseling. Bringing Enthusiasm to Your Therapy Groups Jim Wilwerding, M.Div., MA, LMHC, CADC, NCC. Group Juggle. Needs. Group Juggle. Needs Values. Group Juggle. Needs Values Goals. Group Juggle. Needs Values Goals Hopes. Group Juggle. Needs Values

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Adventure-Based Counseling

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  1. Adventure-Based Counseling Bringing Enthusiasm to Your Therapy Groups Jim Wilwerding, M.Div., MA, LMHC, CADC, NCC IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  2. Group Juggle • Needs IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  3. Group Juggle • Needs • Values IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  4. Group Juggle • Needs Values • Goals IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  5. Group Juggle • Needs Values • Goals Hopes IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  6. Group Juggle • Needs Values • Goals Hopes • Dreams IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  7. Group Juggle • Needs Values • Goals Hopes Responsibilities • Dreams IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  8. Group Juggle DUCK! IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  9. Adventure-Based Counseling • Adventure-Based Counseling (ABC) is a mixture of experiential learning, outdoor education and group counseling (Gillis & Simpson, 1994) • Adventure therapy is the use of games, activities, initiatives, and peak experiences to facilitate the development of group process, interpersonal relationships, personal growth and therapeutic gain. (Ashby, Kottman, & DeGraaf, 2008) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  10. Instillation of hope Universality Imparting information Altruism The corrective recapitulation of the primary family group Development of socializing techniques Imitative behavior Interpersonal learning Group cohesiveness Catharsis Existential factors Yalom’s Therapeutic Factors (1995) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  11. Primary Goal: Improvement of Self-Concept • Key elements • Trust Building • Goal Setting • Challenge/Stress • Peak Experiences • Humor/Fun • Problem Solving (Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  12. Full Value Contract • This is the rationale for “buy-in” for the group. • Includes expectations of group members to each other as well as personal/group goals • Defines safety rules, both emotional and physical • “The Good Stuff” (Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  13. Trust Building • Trust building begins with the first introduction of a new member to the group • Trust is directly related to group cohesion • In Adventure-Based groups, there is an inherent rationale for the group to embody trust. Through the practice of learning safety skills necessary for the challenges, the group has an experience of trust. (Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  14. Goal Setting • According to Lewin (1944), psychological success will be experienced if: • The individual is able to define his/her own goals • His/her goals are related to central needs and values • S/he is able to define the paths that lead to the accomplishment of these goals • The goals represent a realistic level of aspiration, neither too high or too low, but high enough to challenge. (as presented in Schoel, Prouty & Radcliffe, 1988) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  15. Challenge/Stress • Perceived challenge and/or “impossible” tasks, problems, physically demanding situation • In this situation, the individual and the group face their own personal doubts/fears • Properly sequenced and prepared, the client has is likely to experience success (Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  16. Peak Experience • A culminating event in the Adventure process (i.e., ropes course outing/element, rock climbing excursion, service project, etc.) • Peak experiences can place the group in a highly focused state of support and encouragement. (Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  17. Humor/Fun • Humor is great medicine for the addicted mind • Humor allows the individual to let go of inhibitions • Remember, if treatment does not incorporate fun/humor, what appeal does a sober life have? IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  18. Problem Solving • May include simple choices which lead to bigger choices • May also include relying on others/the group for success. • The whole is greater than the sum of the parts IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  19. Challenge By Choice • The facilitator’s role is to present a situation where the physical safety of the participant is never in jeopardy (although it may appear so to the participant) • The participant’s role is to determine and act within the boundaries of challenging him or herself to growth while maintaining emotional safety IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  20. Change Zones(Luckner & Nadler, 1997) • Comfort Zone—Most familiar, maintain old patterns—the “status quo” • Groan Zone—Little familiarity, risky and uncomfortable, some anxiety, temptation to return to old ways • Growth Zone—Confidence using new knowledge, integration of new skills, feelings of mastery & accomplishment (p. 20) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  21. The Adventure Wave(Schoel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  22. Process • Briefing—establish metaphor, define challenge • Activity—from a leadership standpoint, less direction is definitely better than more • Debrief—apply the metaphor to the client’s life • As in many groups, invite feedback from “teammates” regarding client’s behavior in group. IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  23. Metaphor • “The essence of metaphor is understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another.” (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980) • In ABC, the challenge is presented in a metaphor that engages the participant on both intellectual and affective levels (this ball IS your values, etc.) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  24. Metaphor • Metaphors can connect experience back to home or “real life” • Metaphors enhance the transfer of the experience—memories get created more strongly when they are connected with an image or picture (Luckner & Nadler, 1997) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  25. Metaphor • By engaging the metaphor, the participant is also drawn into self-observation and reflection on an undeniable level • Once the metaphorical level of the activity is engaged, the individual can begin recognizing the Self (see Rogers) in situ IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  26. Interpersonal Learning • The group is a social microcosm for the client • “If the group is so conducted that the members can behave in an unguarded, unself-conscious manner, the will, most vividly, recreate and display their pathology in the group.” (Yalom, 1995, p. 39) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  27. Adventure Axiom • If how you approach these activities is, generally speaking, how you approach life, what have you learned about yourself today? IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  28. Leadership Considerations • Safety • Distress/Eustress • Risk takers/Thrill-seekers • Client Boundary Issues IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  29. Leadership Considerations • Facilitator’s job is to keep the clients engaged in the challenge • Create roles for those who choose to opt out of direct participation in the challenge (“Challenge by Choice” does not equate to disengagement from the group)—examples: “director,” “observer,” etc. IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  30. Leadership Considerations • Since many challenges are perceived to be “impossible” the facilitator may need to offer encouragement for near misses, attempts, etc. Before long, the group can also take on this role • Again, resist the urge to offer too many “hints” or too much direction or you risk the possibility of disrupting the client’s engagement with the metaphor. IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  31. But Our Program Has No $$ • The power is in the metaphor not in the high-tech design • Creative minds + powerful metaphors = Adventure-Based Therapy IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  32. Warm-up/DeinhibitizersGoal is to get the group moving • “Giants/Elves/Wizards”—Tag game spin-off from “Rock/Paper/Scissors” • Flippin’ Burgers (Cavert & Sikes, 1997)—Use the noodles to be the last remaining group member to “keep your good stuff.” • Line up—form a line from “x” to “y” (i.e., shortest to tallest, youngest to oldest, alphabetical by middle name, etc.)—introduction and fun IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  33. Warm-up/DeinhibitizersGoal is to get the group moving • “Flip me the Bird”—Tag-type game with a metaphorical twist—how do you ask for help/respond to requests for help • Group Juggle I, II, III • Inside out/Outside in (Cain, 2001) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  34. Trust Building • “Willow in the Wind”—Trust circle physical trust of others • Trust Fall to group or in pairs • “Helium Stick”—trust of group members/also a communication exercise IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  35. Trust Building • Trust Lift (Cain, 2002)—Rather than trust fall, a cradle is formed from the Raccoon Circle to carry participants across a distance or gently rocked. • Friendship Walk (Cavert & Friends, 1999) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  36. Communication Activities • Toxic Waste—Blindfolded participants are directed by teammates to guide ropes and bungee to “rescue the good stuff” from the pit of toxic waste • Bull Ring—team works together to “bring the good stuff home” • Going Nuts (Cavert & Friends, 1999)—work to remove and rethread hexnuts from threaded rods—metaphor of unmanagables, frustration, etc. IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  37. Communication Activities • Traffic Jam • Tanks • Blind Bat (Cavert & Sikes, 1997) • Robots • All-Aboard • Amazing Maze • The Missing Link (Cain, 2004)—Consensus IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  38. Problem-Solving • Immobile Chopsticks (Cavert & Sikes, 1997) • Spider Web • Meuse • Marble Movers (Cavert & Friends, 1999) • Stepping Stones IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  39. Problem-Solving • Trolleys (Cavert & Friends, 1999) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  40. Problem-Solving • Windmill (Cavert & Friends, 1999) • Electric Fence/Window of Opportunity • The Clothes Line (Cain, 2004) • The Human Knot (Cain, 2002) • Cross Every Line (Cain, 2002) • A Knot Between Us (Cain, 2001) • Pass the Loop (Cain, 2001)/Pass the Loop II IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  41. Bungee Box (Cavert & Friends, 1999) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  42. Amazing Maze (Cavert & Friends, 1999) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  43. Horizontal Spider’s Web (Cavert & Friends, 1999) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  44. Lines of Communication (Cavert & Friends, 1999) IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  45. References Ashby, J.S., Kottman, T, & DeGraaf, D. (2008). Active Interventions for Kids and Teens: Adding Adventure and Fun to Counseling. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Associaton. Cain, J. (2001, 2002). Raccoon Circles: A Handbook for Facilitators Book I & Book II. Brockport, NY: Teamwork and Teamplay. Available in PDF format for no cost at www.teamworkandteamplay.com Cavert, C. & Sikes, S. (1997). 50 Ways to Use Your Noodle: Loads of Land Games with Foam Noodle Toys. Tulsa, OK: Learning Unlimited Corporation. Cavert, C. & Friends (1999). Affordable Portables: A Working Book of Initiative Activities & Problem Solving Elements, Revised & Expanded Ed. Oklahoma City, OK: Wood ‘N’ Barnes Publishing and Distribution. Gillis, H.L. & Simpson, C.A. (1994) Working with substance abusing adolescents through Project Adventure. Addictions Looseleaf Notebook. Aspen, CO: Love Publishing Co. IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  46. References Hagedorn, W.B., & Hirshhorn, M.A. (March, 2009). When Talking Won’t Work: Implementing Experiential Group Activities With Addicted Clients. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, Vol 34 (1) pp. 43-67. Lakoff, G. & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors We Life By. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. Luckner, J.L., & Nadler, R.S. (1997) Processing the Experience: Strategies to Enhance and Generalize Learning. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. Schoel, J., Prouty, D., & Radcliffe, P. (1988). Islands of Healing: A Guide to Adventure Based Counseling. Hamilton, MA: Project Adventure. Yalom, I.D. (1995). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, 4th Ed. New York: Basic Books. IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

  47. Contact Information Jim Wilwerding, M.Div., MA, LMHC, CADC jim@newheightscounseling.org www.newheightscounseling.org 4910 Urbandale Ave. Ste. 304 Des Moines, IA 50310 P: 515-274-9690 F: 515-274-9680 IMHCA Conference April 30, 2009

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