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Wilderness family therapy: An innovative treatment approach for problem youth

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Abstract

We present a treatment program (The Family Wheel) designed to integrate wilderness therapy interventions with family therapy for the treatment of troubled adolescents. The Family Wheel program was conducted in the high desert of southern Idaho. Participation in this four-day program required parents and their adolescent children to engage in an intensive experiential family therapy while camping and trekking in the wilderness. An evaluation of the program revealed positive outcomes for the programs' participants. The theory, research, and pragmatics of conducting such an innovative program are discussed.

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Bandoroff, S., Scherer, D.G. Wilderness family therapy: An innovative treatment approach for problem youth. J Child Fam Stud 3, 175–191 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02234066

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