Three models exemplify the primary modalities used in adventure therapy:

• Wilderness Therapy
• Adventure-based Counseling
• Long-term Residential Camping

All three modalities use activities to draw attention to group members coping mechanisms and the relative effectiveness of these coping skills in real-life situations. Therapists process the experience with clients to increase awareness of these skills, learn new skills and transfer them to client’s everyday lives.

Chicago Adventure Therapy uses an adapted wilderness therapy model - adapted in that it takes place in an urban setting! Getting youth involved in outdoor opportunities in a therapeutic fashion, we use the activities themselves and the group process to raise pertinent issues and as the medium for addressing them. Most groups are centered on a particular sport available in Chicago - sea kayaking, cross-country skiing, cycling, etc. Participants learn the sport itself, as well as any rescue, repair and planning techniques used by experts in the field. Participants also learn related skills, such as map reading, trip planning, etc. It is this depth and related activities where most of the therapy will take place.