Topic: How might The Outward Bound Process be used in psychology other than treatment?
The Outward Bound process Model, which was developed by Walsh and Golins in 1976, is presented by Gass, Gillis, and Russell “because it represents a foundational model from which many AT programs have theoretically evolved” (2012). After analyzing the various components of the model as they relate to therapy, I found it difficult to think about ways in which the OB Model could be utilized in the field of psychology for anything other than therapy.
The Outward Bound process Model, which was developed by Walsh and Golins in 1976, is presented by Gass, Gillis, and Russell “because it represents a foundational model from which many AT programs have theoretically evolved” (2012). After analyzing the various components of the model as they relate to therapy, I found it difficult to think about ways in which the OB Model could be utilized in the field of psychology for anything other than therapy.
Upon greater
reflection, I stepped away from thinking about patients and focused on
professionals in the field of psychology. I began to think about the
possibilities of utilizing the OB Model for special training programs for
psychologists. Taking this idea further, I thought about the potential outcomes
of various groups completing an actual course together; a group of first year
students in a psychology graduate program, a group of therapists at a
residential treatment center, or even a group of professional psychologists
from various locations who want to take part in such an experience. I feel that
specific curriculum could be incorporated into a program that is based on the
OB Model.
I am left with questions:
How such a course would benefit psychologists?
Would the primary outcome be to teach specific skills related to psychotherapy?
Would participants walk away with some sort of certification?
Could the focus simply be on creating an opportunity for professionals to participate in experiential, problem based, group oriented learning?
Could such an experience be advertised and framed in a way that offers the professional psychologist a first hand opportunity to understand the benefits and potential of group work and experiential learning?
Here is a link to a Psychotherapy Training Program at the Washington School of Psychiatry that utilizes six intensive weekends to conduct the training. Participants are assigned to groups where they do experience some of the training material first hand. I think that a week long, or even weekend, adventure experience based on the OB Model could be amazingly beneficial for a program like this to utilize. I feel it would give participants first hand group development and group dynamics experiences to process and refer to throughout the course that simply cannot be simulated. This is just one example of how this could play out.
As an aside, Adventure Therapy: Theory, research, and practice offers a cooking metaphor in explaining the Outward Bound process Model and its relation to AT (Gass, Gillis, & Russell, 2012). I found this on the Outward Bound page of the wilderdom.com site and wanted to share it:
How such a course would benefit psychologists?
Would the primary outcome be to teach specific skills related to psychotherapy?
Would participants walk away with some sort of certification?
Could the focus simply be on creating an opportunity for professionals to participate in experiential, problem based, group oriented learning?
Could such an experience be advertised and framed in a way that offers the professional psychologist a first hand opportunity to understand the benefits and potential of group work and experiential learning?
Here is a link to a Psychotherapy Training Program at the Washington School of Psychiatry that utilizes six intensive weekends to conduct the training. Participants are assigned to groups where they do experience some of the training material first hand. I think that a week long, or even weekend, adventure experience based on the OB Model could be amazingly beneficial for a program like this to utilize. I feel it would give participants first hand group development and group dynamics experiences to process and refer to throughout the course that simply cannot be simulated. This is just one example of how this could play out.
As an aside, Adventure Therapy: Theory, research, and practice offers a cooking metaphor in explaining the Outward Bound process Model and its relation to AT (Gass, Gillis, & Russell, 2012). I found this on the Outward Bound page of the wilderdom.com site and wanted to share it:
Outward Bound Recipe
Select: 10 strangers
Remove: Social dependencies - tobacco, spouses, friends, wristwatches, alcohol
Place on the edge of a pan: filled with unusual and stressful circumstances
Give a slight push: and watch to see that all are fully immersed
Add: the opportunity to learn and master skills
Shake: a sprinkling of natural grandeur
Stir in: a soupcon of skilled instructors
Simmer: carefully for 26 days. Skim off the fat and deep-freeze until needed.
Derek Pritchard, Director
Minnesota Outward Bound School
Minnesota Outward Bound School
References:
Gass, M. A., Gillis, H. L., & Russell, K. C. (2012). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and practice. New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
Neill, J. (March 8, 2007). Outward Bound: History, Philosophy, Theory, Research, and Evaluation. Retrieved from: http://www.wilderdom.com/obmain.html
Washington School of Psychiatry (2013). Group Psychotherapy Training Program. Retrieved from: http://www.wspdc.org/education/group-therapy/
I love the recipe you found, it's very creative and interesting to wrap your head around. I also thought it was interesting how you described the Outward Bound Process as a tool for training psychologists. You raised some excellent questions and the one that stood out to me was, "Could the focus simply be on creating an opportunity for professionals to participate in experiential, problem based, group oriented learning?" I feel very strongly about providing professionals the chance to experience the activities that they will be leading for their participants. This also raises the question, do they need to experience it in order to teach it? Great post, Renee.
ReplyDeleteI really liked what you discussed in class yesterday. I think it was a really good idea to have this type of experience for individual in the field. It would be something that I think would enhance the ability to do different types of therapy. And I really liked the recipe you found! It helped reinforce the foundations for the outward bound program, and I really liked being able to see it from a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteKelli Weinschenk
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ReplyDeleteRenee! I like now how mentioned the recipe, really neat and original. I also like how you tied in group development at the end there, I have heard you mention how it’s something that your passionate about so I like that you brought it up and tied it back into here. I also agree that tying in the OB process model for professionals could be very helpful, I find that things are much easier to explain and understand once I have gone through a process myself, i.e. teaching a low element. Teaching something that you have lead is always helpful. Thanks for sharing Renee!
ReplyDeleteFirst off of course that recipe is too great. Secondly I like the stance you took on it being used on the therapists instead. I think it would be the perfect way for them to connect with each other as well as gain a better understanding of what their patients are experiencing during treatment (is they were adventure therapists). Also, I clicked your link to www.wilderdom.com and I think its awesome that you were able to find a website with so many great ideas and activities at no cost. That could really come in handy for some people, Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete