Gems in the Gem State: Tips for Finding Wilderness Therapy in Idaho

With an area the size of New England, the state of Idaho has all sorts of terrain and wilderness opportunities imaginable. From its beautiful mountains to the lush forests, Idaho is one of the most magical places in the entire United States. This picturesque environment, however, serves another purpose than to simply please the eye: it is, in fact, an indispensable element of treating a struggling child’s problems. Wilderness therapy in Idaho offers a way for troubled teens to find themselves once again.
Wilderness therapy in Idaho offers many benefits. Unlike many approaches to therapy that are focused entirely on curing the symptoms of a problem, programs that offer wilderness therapy in Idaho are holistic – that is to say, they simultaneously target the body, mind, and spirit. Instead of attempting to suppress undesirable effects, wilderness therapy in Idaho gently guides your troubled child toward a healthy path. By utilizing kindness and respect, wilderness therapy in Idaho allows a child to relax, reevaluate the situation, and begin to rebuild relationships that were strained or broken. wilderness therapy in Idaho

Benefits of Wilderness Therapy in Idaho

Your child is an individual. Since every child’s problems are different, using the same approach for everyone and hoping that it works, unfortunately, can cause more problems than it solves. Moreover, oftentimes, a child’s mental illness or struggle is grouped together with something seemingly similar (bipolar disorder, for example, can be mistaken for depression); as a result, a child can go years with an incorrect diagnosis. This is where wilderness therapy comes into play.
Programs offering wilderness therapy address all sorts of issues. Be it mental illness, stress, addiction, or simply needing a break, wilderness therapy can find a way to help. In itself, wilderness therapy is linked to animal therapy, adventure-based therapy, as well as individual, group, and family therapies. Whatever the problem, there is an approach that best suits your child’s needs. Matching the therapy to your child’s needs instead of the other way around ensures that your child gets the care they deserve.
Although wilderness therapy can sound menacing (thanks, in large part, to the use of the word “wilderness”), in reality, safety is the number one concern. Depending on the child’s needs, the activities can range from more mild (i.e. camping) to ones including perceived risk (such as mountain climbing or canoeing) – but the one constant is the fact that highly trained staff monitors the situation so that your child’s well-being is never threatened.
Therapy often gets a bad reputation. In many minds, it is associated with extended hospital stays and evil nurses. In today’s day and age, however, there are approaches – such as wilderness therapy – that can make the therapeutic experience enjoyable for your child.
blueFire is a wilderness therapy program for struggling teens, ages 11 to 17. Our students often grapple with issues such as addiction, depression, anxiety, and other behavioral challenges.
For more information about blueFire Wilderness, please call 1 (844) 413-1999 today!

Related posts:

  1. Getting Help with Eating Disorders
  2. Preventing Teen Anxiety at an Early Age
  3. Therapeutic Recreation: Getting Better While Having Fun
  4. Looking Out for Number One (Your Child, That Is): Ways to Help Build Self Esteem in Teens
Posted in , ,

Kathy Rex

As long as I can remember the outdoors has been a place that fills my soul with happiness, clarity, peace, inspiration, and connections. Connecting with Mother Nature is powerful and never disappoints, even when hardships are a part of that process. Sitting peacefully in any outdoor setting witnessing even the slightest hint of survival (think of that lone flower that grows out of a rock in the middle of a desert) is my life source and reminds me how precious and our lives are, and how resilient we can be. Having shared experiences with others in the outdoors brings me such joy! My introduction to Wilderness Therapy came at a time when I, myself, was at a crossroads in life. Being witness to the reunification of children with their parents after being apart for several weeks was hands down the most miraculous thing I had ever witnessed. Weeks later, after packing my car with all my belongings, and my then 2 year old son, we ventured out to the deserts of southcentral Idaho to embark on a journey that I have never looked back from. The power and value of that parent-child connection has always been at the core of what has driven me in my home and in my work. My children and grandchildren are pretty remarkable too. What I learned early on, and continue to learn, is that change is hard…..and necessary. We have to be able to be honest with ourselves, listen to others, communicate effectively, and continually make decisions which are based on the best information available to us at the time. One cannot hide from themselves for long when they learn to sit still, observe, and then take action. Trust, Reliance, Vulnerability, Humility, Sacrifice, Acceptance, Confidence, Honesty, etc. The list goes on and on as far as what one is capable of experiencing in a wilderness setting. Since 1989 I have had many wonderful opportunities to be able to guide young people on their own journeys while enjoying the outdoors. Seeing the joy and eye-popping realization of one’s own value and capabilities is what drives me to stay involved in the work I do on a daily basis. Families embarking on this journey together is miraculous and inspiring. SouthCentral Idaho provides the perfect landscape for this amazing opportunity. Wilderness Therapy is my calling.