First Name:
Abigail
Last Name:
Joffee
Major Department:
Psychology
Thesis Director:
Lisa Emery
Date of Thesis:
May 2013
Alternative means of therapy have become increasingly popular in the field of psychology and while these methods are not always easily accepted, research shows that they can be successful. Wilderness therapy is one such method. The definition of wilderness therapy varies slightly based on the organization, but all strive to use aspects of the wilderness to bring about change in adolescent struggles. When wilderness therapy was first developed, there was not much empirical evidence for its success, but researchers have since been striving to prove its efficacy and increase its use (Davis-Berman & Berman, 1989). Many studies measure the positive effects that wilderness therapy has on participants, but they merely speculate on why these changes occur and are inconclusive as to why wilderness therapy is effective. This review aims to examine research on the effectiveness of wilderness therapy and to discuss why wilderness therapy programs are effective through the framework of evolutionary psychology. Research shows that nature can have strong positive effects on people and that practicing therapy in the wilderness may give the participant a richer, more in depth experience than would be possible in an office setting. The implication of these findings and of prior research on this topic is encouraging the incorporation of nature or the outside world into therapeutic interactions, which could lead to more effective and longer lasting treatment results.