Adventure Therapy is a growing industry that aims to combine three powerful tools:

• the healing power of nature,
• fun and gentle outdoor adventure activities, and
• a solid foundation of a therapeutic framework

The feedback that we regularly receive from our participants is overwhelmingly positive.

Here are some quotes from recent participants:

From a youth camp: “I came home more open to talking with my mum and my nan.  I was more open to telling them how I felt about things that were going on with me.  I have never been able to do that before.  I am more mindful of what my behaviour feels like for my mum and my nan.   I have more self-control, I have dreams now.”

From an adult participant struggling with mental health: “Thank you for sending me to Inspire [an Adventure Therapy programme] and Adventure Specialties, it has changed my life. I feel confident, able to go out in public, and am now safely housed in my own home that I love, and I have employment with a service I love. It would not have happened without this course and your help.”

What happens on our Adventure Therapy programmes?

Our Adventure Therapy team includes both qualified outdoor instructors and qualified therapists (one in Christchurch and this role for one in Auckland), so that every programme has the necessary balance of physical and psychological safety.

Some of our programmes are single day programmes, or a series of single day programmes (e.g. one day a week over 8 weeks during the school term), or a multi-day camp or journey.  It does involve some overnight/camp-based work in the school holidays.

The outdoor activities include hiking, sea kayaking, cycling, coasteering, caving, rock climbing, surfing, and occasionally more relaxing activities like frisbee golf or fishing. There is always an experienced outdoor instructor on the programme who will run the activities.

The “therapy” part of the programmes comes from the different therapeutic activities that get incorporated into the whole day. For example, facilitated group discussions, one-on-one sessions, community building and group activities, time and space for individual reflection, etc.

Our programmes are created in partnership with the client, to make sure their needs and goals are being met. For example, if the participants are a group of young students, then something high energy like surfing or caving with a theme of taking hold of opportunities might be suitable, but if the participants are adults struggling with mental health, then something gentler, like a walk or an easy bike ride with a theme around managing energy, might be more suitable. The themes are woven throughout the activities and focus on our wellbeing outcomes (below).

Our current Auckland partnership programmes include government agencies and community groups that work with a range of youth and adults. Plus day programmes for adults struggling with mental health, and youth camps for teens with mental health challenges (anxiety, depression, etc.).

TE WHARE TAPA WHĀ

At Adventure Specialties Trust, our programmes focus on wellbeing.

We use a Māori model of holistic health called Te Whare Tapa Whā (the house with four walls) which was developed by Sir Mason Durie, an advocate for Māori mental health and wellbeing.

Each of the four walls (described below) is an important part of hauora/wellbeing. The house is supported by the strong foundation of Te Whenua, our connection to the land and the natural environment.

TAHA TINANA / PHYSICAL WELLBEING

Outdoor activities enhance our physical wellbeing, our Taha Tinana. It’s about being aware of our body and meeting its basic needs. It allows us to feel energetic, motivated, and physically capable of pursuing activities that bring joy, connection, and satisfaction to our days.

TAHA HINENGARO / MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

Being outdoors in nature supports our mental and emotional wellbeing, our Taha Hinengaro. It’s about our thoughts, feelings and emotions being in balance. This allows us to feel hopeful and positive about the future, with the capacity to navigate life’s challenges and emotions. We go through life nurturing a sense of self-compassion, self-care and self-worth.

TAHA WHĀNAU / SOCIAL WELLBEING

Adventure activities build up our social wellbeing through fostering a sense of belonging, connection, and confidence in our relationships with others. This is our Taha Whānau. It includes the link to our ancestors, our ties with the past, present and future. It also includes experiencing that people can be kind, trustworthy, and safe, as well as the ability to resolve differences and work collaboratively with others.

TAHA WAIRUA / SPIRITUAL WELLBEING

Being in nature fosters our awareness and sense of spiritual wellbeing. This is our Taha Wairua. It is about the unseen essence in a person that is connected to our sense of self, identity, and connection to our beliefs, culture, values, and purpose. It provides a foundation of meaning and direction.

TE WHENUA / CONNECTION TO NATURE

Connection to the natural world and connection to Te Whenua (the land) are where we feel deeply connected to nature, and then we draw on that connection to support our wellbeing. It includes experiencing awe and wonder in te taiao (the natural environment) and fostering a sense of responsibility to care for and protect the Earth.

How does this therapist role fit into our Auckland Adventure Therapy programmes?

Our “Adventure Therapy Clinician” in Auckland will work closely with:

• Anneke, our Clinical Practice Lead (based in Christchurch),
• Jeff, our Regional Manager in Auckland
• Our team of outdoor instructors in Auckland

The Adventure Therapy team will work collaboratively to create and implement Adventure Therapy programmes for the Auckland office.

This role will mainly focus on the delivery of day-based programmes (one day a week over 8 weeks) which are currently ACC-funded group therapy programmes focusing on trauma-responsive therapy and mental health. 

One day per week will be delivering our ‘Revive’ programme – a Trauma-responsive Adventure Therapy programme for people with an ACC Sensitive claim. In this role, you would work in co-facilitation with a qualified outdoor instructor. Please see our Revive webpage for more information on Revive. 

The other hours can be flexible and will be doing the administrative side of the programmes, individual wrap-around support, planning and contributing to other parts of Adventure Therapy within Adventure Specialties Trust.  

The role is advertised at 18 hours per week, however may be able to increase to 30 hours over time, as our programmes increase. 

Ideally, this role will commence as soon as possible, but please talk to us if you have any pre-existing commitments that you need to work around.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must have:

• A therapeutic qualification either in Psychotherapy, Psychology, Social Work or Counselling.
• A willingness to make a commitment to work for us for three years, due to the training and investment involved in the role

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

The following experience is preferred, but (as with any job) a willingness to learn will go a long way to filling in any gaps:

• ACC Requirements: Must be a Named Service Provider and approved to facilitate group work for ACC’s Sensitive Claims Service (or meet eligibility criteria and be willing to undertake the approval process). Ask us if you’re not sure.
• Experience delivering one-on-one and group therapeutic services with adults, and ideally experience or willingness to work with children
• Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal
• Understanding of adventure, nature-based, outdoor therapies, or experiential learning
• Experience with group-based therapeutic services
• Confidence engaging with new clients and building strong relationships
• Alignment with AST’s core values and philosophy based on a Christian worldview
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills
• Competency with MS Word, Excel, and general computer systems

What are the benefits of working with Adventure Specialties Trust?

• Explore stunning wilderness locations around the North Island, including the beautiful white sand beaches of Northland, the stunning coastline of Auckland, the peaceful native bush of Coromandel Peninsula, and more.
• Try your hand at a variety of pursuits, including sea kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, surfing, and more.
• Become part of a team that feels like family. We get to know each other reeeeeally well, and we’re not perfect, but we are part of an organisation that focuses on people and relationships, and that shows in the positive way we interact with each other.
• Adventure Specialties Trust is committed to the on-going training and development of its staff, including a professional development budget for each staff member, plus two annual events where all staff (from Auckland and Christchurch) meet up to touch base, brush up on skills, and go on adventures together!
• Our Adventure Therapy staff are supported towards developing skills in both outdoor leadership and therapeutic roles.
• The annual leave package is generous. There’s a ridiculously cheap phone package available. Plus gear allowance, payment of professional organisation fees, and lots more perks!

Adventure Specialties Trust is a leading provider of Adventure Therapy, youth development and outdoor education services in New Zealand. As part of our mahi, we partner with a range of community agencies to deliver outdoor activity programmes as part of therapeutic interventions. We also provide individual and group-based programmes to people who are seeking therapeutic services in the outdoors. This area of our service is rapidly growing and we need someone to be part of this exciting area of work!  We are looking for applicants who will be compatible with the Trust’s Vision, Mission and Values. 

We would love to hear from you. If you’re interested in the job, or have any questions, or maybe you’re interested but not sure whether you fit the description, please get in touch!

For questions about the role, please contact Jeff on (09) 837 6033 or office@adventurespecialties.co.nz (attention: Jeff)

If you would like to apply for the position, please email your CV (with contact details for two referees) to office@adventurespecialties.co.nz.  Please include a cover letter, and mention how you see yourself aligning with the mission and values of Adventure Specialties Trust.

Find out more about Adventure Specialities Trust at www.adventurespecialties.co.nz.

We look forward to hearing from you!