References

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2012). Facts for Families: Bipolar      Disorder in Children and Teens. Retrieved from http://aacap.org/page.ww?name=Bipolar+Disorder+In+Children+And+Teens&section=F acts+for+Families

Bipolar Planet. Good Days, Bad Days. . . Retrieved from http://bipolar-     planet.blogspot.com/2011/05/good-days-bad-days.html

Busemeyer, J. Holistic Stress Relief. Holistic Treatment for Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved from       http://holisticstressrelief.com/page7.html

Candidaabrahamson. (2012, April 29). Bipolar Disorder In Children-A Diagnosis in the     Doghouse. Retrieved from             http://candidaabrahamson.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/pediatric-bipolar-disorder-the-         problems/

Carey, B. (2007, September 4). Bipolar Illness Soars as a Diagnosis for the Young. New York        Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/04/health/04psych.html?_r=4&

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. (2013). Bipolar Disorder Statistics. Retrieved from      http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_statistics_bipolar_diso            rder

Gass, M. A., Gillis, H. L., & Russell, K. C. (2012). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and      practice. New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

Grohol, J. M. (2007). The Story Behind the Rise in Bipolar Diagnosis. Psych Central. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2007/09/04/the-story-behind-the-rise-in-      bipolar-diagnoses/

Khalife, S., Singh, V., & Muzina, D. J. (2011). Bipolar Disorder. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved        from             http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/psychiatry-          psychology/bipolar-disorder/

National Institute of Mental Health. (Reviewed 2012, March 15). Bipolar Disorder in Children    and Teens (Easy to Read). Retrieved from             http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-in-children-and-teens-         easy-to-read/complete-index.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. (2007, September 3). Rates of Bipolar Diagnosis in Youth    Rapidly Climbing, Treatment Patterns Similar to Adults. Retrieved from            http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/rates-of-bipolar-diagnosis-in-youth-rapidly- climbing-treatment-patterns-similar-to-adults.shtml

Piktochart: Infographic and Presentation tool for Non-Designers. Retrieved from   http://piktochart.com

Web MD. (Reviewed 2013, February 1). Bipolar Disorder Health Center: Psychotherapy for       Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-       disorder/guide/psychotherapy-bipolar-disorder

Week 11: The Future of Adventure Therapy

Topic: Project where AT might be 10 years from today.




In chapter 14 of Adventure Therapy: Theory, research, and practice, Gass, Gillis, and Russell explore many aspects of AT that will need to be addressed and improved in order for AT to grow into the profession i has the potential of becoming. I can safely say that any projections I make are more so hopes for this profession because I believe in the potential it holds for the many and varied populations it can reach. So if I had any sway in the powers that be. . .

Ten years from today AT would:

Be more affordable and accessible.

Be backed by a decade of solid research and statistics in support of AT.

Respected by the government and the health care industry as a top option for treatment.

Have a sound and accepted governing body for accreditation, best practices, standards, and oversight of the industry.

Work together to manage land use so as to ensure the right for use as well as the integrity of the land itself.

Have access to highly qualified staff due to the AT specialized academic programs that have developed.

Decrease staff turnover by improving employee support programs and benefits designed to keep staff motivated and prevent burnout.

Be a thriving industry upheld by sound morals and values as well as the common mission to better the lives of all who seek AT.

I feel that everything listed above is possible, it will simply require a whole heck of a lot of sweat, brain power, and dedication. I thing that the Therapeutic Adventure Professionals Group of the Association of Experiential Education (TAPG website) as well as the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP Website) and the National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping (NATWC Website) along with other organizations will prove essential in the growth and prosperity of this profession. Exceptional work of programs and the individuals who make them up will be critical but I feel that it will be most important for programs to band together within these professional organizations. After all, these organizations are in place for the very purpose of creating a community AT professionals who can work together to better the industry as a whole. It will also be hugely important for these programs to effectively work with the American Psychological Association, colleges and universities, as well as governmental bodies to bring the future of AT I hope for to light.



References: 

Association for Experiential Education: Therapeutic Adventure Professionals Group. Retrieved from: http://tapg.aee.org

Gass, M. A., Gillis, H. L., & Russell, K. C. (2012). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and practice. New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

NATSAP: National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. Retrieved from: http://natsap.org

NATWC: National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping. Retrieved from: http://natwc.org/wp/