With a new session starting on March 27th, we wanted to do our part in sharing the message of hope. We all know someone who has battled addiction or is currently in its grip. Sessions will meet on Wednesdays and Fridays for an intense 6-week program from 9 am to 2 pm. The team at Into the Wild works tirelessly to make sure that anyone wanting to recover has that opportunity.
The mission of Into the Wild is to create holistic environments where women can heal who have been traumatized and whose lives have been destroyed by substance abuse. Their goal is to help these women experience the power of healing by understanding that these burdens often occur together.
By providing professional counseling in the outdoors, practitioners utilize Outdoor Behavioral Therapy (OBH) to promote positive change by removing everyday distractions and allowing clients to gain a new appreciation for nature. This technique was originally based on the Outward Bound model, but it was soon seen that this approach could be beneficial to those in the mental health field as well. With increasing success rates, these projects became known as Wilderness Therapy.
In designing their program, they wanted to go beyond these requirements, and they succeeded! Their clients not only receive the benefits of being immersed in nature, but they also learn life skills such as healthy nutrition (from shopping to food preparation), career counseling, mindfulness training, first aid, CPR, and breathwork to control stress. As well as helping their clients live sober lives, Into the Wild also hopes to help them become their best selves by helping them find the inner strength they need. Through adventure activities, art therapy, gentle yoga, and a broad range of specialized therapeutic events, they accomplish this. We understand the challenges of turning away from addictions from our team, which is why they are holistically focused and confidently delivered.
Into the Wild makes use of centering practices such as yoga, mindfulness activities, and nutritious food preparation to help clients find their inner strength and rely on themselves. Adventure-filled activities like hiking, canoeing, and kayaking also contribute to building self-confidence. But arguably the biggest draw is campfire therapy—a favorite among their guests! All this is without the demands, pressures, and digital distractions that usually come with modern life.
Wilderness Therapy has a powerful impact - their clients report having more fun while learning to face life's challenges with strength. As they achieved the program's goals, their self-confidence grew, and they gained valuable gifts. Most importantly, most clients who completed the program kept up their sobriety afterward. "That is certainly something worth celebrating!" said Executive Director Sonia Hensel. For further information on Wilderness Therapy or donations, please visit us here.
