All our Adventure Therapy programmes are run as small groups (max 8-10 people) and they are a form of group therapy. There are so many advantages to working with others in a group!
[Please note that the photos in this article are not from the RESTORE programme, to protect the privacy of the programme participants.]
The benefits of small groups include:
- Meeting other people who are in a similar situation to you,
- Getting to know them, making friends,
- Trusting others,
- Communicating your needs and emotions and ideas.
Especially for people who are anxious about social situations, it’s an opportunity to practice so many skills and really build confidence in a social setting.
All of these things are much harder to achieve in individual therapy.
We often find that one of the things the participants appreciate most is the peer support that comes from the group sharing their experiences and thoughts and ideas with each other.
Take, for example, our RESTORE programmes which have been running in Auckland and Christchurch this year.
RESTORE is for people who are off work for mental health reasons (like anxiety, depression, stress or burnout) and are on the Job Seekers benefit. We use Adventure Therapy to support them on their journey towards hauora (health and wellbeing).
Check out the feedback that we have received from the participants:
“It was comforting to learn that EVERYONE goes through stuff and everyone struggles from time to time.”
“It gave me a reason to get out of bed and have interactions with people outside my immediate circle. Being able to have meaningful conversations impacted my day positively.”
“It’s helped me realise that people do care and there are programmes that help bring change and help bring life back.”
“This programme has made me realise how important connection is for my wellbeing. Connecting with nature and people help to lift my mood and give me a sense of belonging.”
“This programme has made a difference in multiple ways: communicating with others, feeling better in nature, different ways to look at things, and feeling safer in the community.”
“I’m more positive, confident and clearer about who I am and what brings me to life. I’ve learned that I don’t have to be perfect and giving my best is fine. I’ve learned too that I have a lot to offer other people because of who I am. I have appreciated this opportunity. I am no longer suicidal, I have more hope and can feel joy, self-pride and gratitude.”
[This article is from our Christmas newsletter. Read the rest of the newsletter here (PDF)]
