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/
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ReplyDeleteRenee! I agree that a lot of dedication would need to be put forth in order to make a credible change in the right direction. I have heard of the TAPG and NATSAP but was excited to look at the NATWC website and feel as if these types of organizations will be the ones that help move Adventure Therapy forward. I also agree that a stronger bond between organizations like these and the American Psychological Association would vastly benefit the field and potential resources for research which could help promote the vast benefits of Adventure Therapy. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRenee, I like your post a lot! I truly wish that AT will be like you envision in ten years. You make a good point about how much work will need to be done in order for the dreams of AT professionals to become reality. It will take the work of many researchers to build the supporting data that we in the class already know is true. It will be a lot of work but the payoff will be immense. Like you, I also believe in the power of AT and its ability to help many different syndromes and disorders, but there is a need for empirical randomized controlled studies in order for insurance companies to trust AT. Great post!
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