Early Intervention
Support Coordination
Behaviour Support
Therapy
Plan Management
Bush Adventure Therapy
Justice Of The Peace
Support Work
Bush Adventure Therapy
Bush Adventure Therapy (BAT) is an evidence informed, nature-based therapeutic intervention which sits within the emerging national Outdoor Healthcare sector.
Participants learn from real experiences in natural environments. Practitioners focus on creating opportunities for reflection so that the learnings can be transferred into their everyday lives. Activities include: bush walking, bushcraft skills, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking and a range of therapeutic interventions which are tailored to the client’s presentation and needs.
BAT utilises a strength-based approach and focuses on developing people’s strengths and building on their existing resilience.
Able2 practitioners work within a trauma informed practice framework which is founded on the five core principles of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment.
Research indicates that engagement is the best predictor of outcome. BAT participants at able2 are highly engaged with consistently high retention and return rates. Participants report feeling supported, respected and empowered to be the experts in their own lives.
The benefits of Bush Adventure Therapy are
- Greater ability to cope and overcome barriers in other parts of their lives
- Improved ability to co-regulate and self-regulate
- Increased capacity to assess and safely manage risk
- Improved self-awareness, self-efficacy and optimism for the future
- Enhanced capacity for good decision making and personal safety
- Stronger self-confidence
- More active engagement in other areas of life: such as school, family, TAFE.
What does BAT look like for a participant?
- BAT is a 1:1 program with a participant and therapist
- Each session is between 2-4 hours
- Participant is picked up and dropped off
- All staff are highly trained and experienced outdoor guides and trained in psychology, counselling, or other therapeutic approaches.
How is BAT different at Able2 and why is there such high engagement?
At Able2, we individualise the Bush Adventure Therapy experience for participants, particularly those who find it difficult engaging with the more traditional ‘counselling room’ models of psychological support. Choice and control underpin the success of BAT and clients are actively engaged in the planning and evaluation of their experience, setting their own goals and reflecting on their experiences.
The BAT Tree
The BAT tree illustrates the fundamentals of Bush Adventure Therapy.
The trunk and the roots of the tree being the foundations that able2 practitioners bring to the work.
The branches of the tree symbolising how the work is facilitated.
Finally, the leaves of the tree representing the outcomes for participants
