Adventure Based Therapeutic Excursions

“Be not the slave of your own past - plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep, and swim far, so you shall come back with new self-respect, with new power, and with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our adventure-based therapy excursions are journeys of self-discovery, connection and growth.

At Apraxis, we understand the transformative power of embarking on a journey that involves venturing into the unknown, facing challenges, encountering diverse cultures, and returning home. 

This process is the essence of the Hero's Journey and cultivates personal growth, development, and rites of passage. 

Our excursions are carefully crafted to align with the Hero’s journey, with a focus on supporting individuals through life transitions and offering invaluable support for those facing the challenges of change.

The Hero’s Journey

Excursions also mean “a deviation from a regular pattern, or path”

Our approach to excursions is rooted in the intention of deviating from  habitual patterns of daily life. By disrupting unhealthy patterns, we aim to help participants develop new perspectives and behaviors that promote a more varied, diverse and integrative way of being in the world - the markers of growth and well-being

Excursions facilitate disruptions to entrenched patterns by way of an “ecological transition” - the movement and immersion from one environment to another.  During an ecological transition, individuals have the opportunity to relate to the world in a new way and form a new relationship with themselves. 

An ecological transition can be facilitated at varying levels of the eco-integrative system:  micro (locally), meso (nationally), macro (internationally) and nature settings.  Each provides new opportunities for growth. Click here to learn more about our eco-integrative model. 

The positive outcome from an ecological transition is largely based on the type of support that an individual receives during that time.  

We’re here to be that support.

Backpacker Looking at Mountains

WHATS THE EXPERIENCE LIKE?

Our excursions are designed to immerse individuals and groups into three different spaces and each immersive experience is utilized for specific purposes and intentions.

  • Immersion in nature has tremendous benefits on improving our body's biology through enhancing our nervous and immune systems.

    Equally important, nature immersive experiences can illuminate the spirit of our own nature, giving rise to deeper facts about ourselves - like love, beauty and creativity. Our excursions are centered around providing opportunities for you to reconnect and reestablish a relationship with nature. Through our experiential activities, you will also learn about your inherent interconnectedness with the biodiversity around you.

    Nature also provides the opportunity for enhanced self-reflection, which we know to be a very important tool to learn about oneself and discover what is meaningful, important and find the barriers that are preventing one to live more fully and greater purpose.

  • Immersion into another culture can be a transformative experience that helps to broaden and expand our worldview. When we immerse ourselves in another culture, we are exposed to different ways of thinking, living, and being that may be vastly different from our own. This exposure challenges our existing beliefs, assumptions, and values, and encourages us to question our own perspectives and biases.

    Through immersion in another culture, we can develop a greater understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity and the interconnectedness of all humanity. We can also gain new insights and knowledge about different ways of solving problems, communicating, and building relationships, which can be valuable for personal growth and development.

    In addition, immersion in another culture can help us to develop empathy and a greater sense of compassion for others. By experiencing life from another perspective, we can begin to see the world through the eyes of others and gain a deeper appreciation for their struggles, joys, and triumphs.

    Overall, immersion in another culture can be a transformative experience that helps us to develop a more open-minded and inclusive worldview, and ultimately, contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious world.

  • Adventure activities promote healthy identity development, self-efficacy, and a growth mindset.

    Adventure therapy, which involves engaging in outdoor activities and challenges, can be a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation. The key to its effectiveness lies in the concept of "dosing", which involves carefully designing and pacing the challenges presented in the adventure activities to match the individual's level of ability and comfort. This creates a "just right" level of challenge that encourages personal growth and increases self-efficacy.

    Through adventure therapy, individuals are exposed to new and challenging experiences that require them to step outside their comfort zones, confront fears, and develop coping strategies. These experiences can lead to a sense of accomplishment and increased confidence, which can then be applied to other areas of their lives.

    Additionally, adventure therapy often involves group activities, which can foster a sense of community and social support. This can be especially important for individuals who struggle with social isolation or who have difficulty connecting with others. By working together to overcome challenges, individuals can develop trust, empathy, and communication skills, which can improve their relationships with others.

    Overall, adventure therapy can be a transformative experience that helps individuals develop new skills, overcome personal barriers, and build resilience. By carefully dosing the challenges presented in adventure activities, therapists can help individuals achieve meaningful personal growth and lasting change.

However, these spaces alone are not enough to create a transformative experience.

To gain the most from the excursion experiences we incorporate additional "change agents" by teaching techniques and skills associated with self-reflection and personal growth. These include…

Pot Over Fire Graphic for Therapeutic Group Processing

Group Processing

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Journaling

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Meditation + Mindfulness Practices

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Upcoming Excursions

UpComing Excursions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Adventure therapy is a form of psychotherapy and counseling that involves using outdoor activities and adventure experiences to help individuals develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their relationships, and to build confidence, resilience and emotional intelligence.

  • An international excursion for therapeutic adventure therapy is a trip that combines adventure therapy techniques with travel to a foreign country and culture. The excursion is designed to help individuals expand their horizons, gain new perspectives, and develop greater resilience and self-awareness.

  • Anyone who is seeking to overcome personal challenges, develop greater self-awareness, and deepen their understanding of themselves and others can benefit from a therapeutic adventure therapy international excursion. This may include individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health issues. Additionally, because our excursions are designed to help support people in transitions, those that are in a life transition are excellent candidates for this trip.

  • Activities may include outdoor adventures such as hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, or surfing, as well as cultural experiences such as visiting museums, attending local festivals, or participating in community service projects.

  • Participants should expect to be challenged both physically and emotionally, and to be pushed outside of their comfort zones. They will work closely with trained therapists and facilitators and will have the opportunity to connect with others in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.

  • Potential benefits may include increased self-awareness, improved mental and emotional resilience, greater empathy and compassion, enhanced problem-solving and decision-making skills, stronger relationships with others, and a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life.

  • This can also vary depending on the destination, but some possible cultural experiences might include learning about the history and customs of the local people, participating in traditional ceremonies, trying new foods, participating in traditional arts and crafts, and engaging in activities that are unique to the region.

  • Participants will typically work closely with trained therapists and facilitators who will provide emotional support and guidance throughout the excursion. They will also have the opportunity to connect with other participants who are going through similar experiences, creating a supportive community environment.

  • Providers will have safety measures in place to ensure the physical and emotional safety of participants. This may include having trained staff who are certified in wilderness first aid, and other safety procedures, conducting thorough risk assessments before each activity, and ensuring that all equipment is properly maintained and in good condition. Additionally, by working closely with partners in the host country, we will be able to access the closest health care facilities if needed.

  • This will depend on the specific itinerary, but typically participants will have some free time to explore on their own, particularly during down time, which may or may not be limited due to full itinerary.

  • No prior experience or skills are required, but participants should be in good physical health and be prepared for physically and emotionally challenging activities. We will conduct a screening process to ensure that participants are a good fit for the excursion.

  • We will typically provide participants with some kind of preparation or training before the excursion, which may include informational sessions on the destination and the activities planned, as well as training on skills such as wilderness first aid or outdoor survival skills.

  • We will offer follow-up sessions or aftercare to help participants integrate their experiences and insights into their daily lives. This may include individual or group therapy sessions, support groups, or other resources to help participants maintain the progress they made during the excursion.

  • The length of the excursion can vary depending on the destination, but typically they last anywhere between 10 to 14 days.

  • The number of participants can vary depending on the provider and the destination, but typically groups are small and intimate, with no more than 10-12 participants.

  • We will offer a cultural sensitivity training before or during the excursion to help participants better understand and appreciate the customs and traditions of the local people. This may include information on cultural norms, etiquette, and history, as well as discussions on cultural competence and humility.

  • Our trained mental health professionals will provide emotional support and guidance throughout the excursion. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with peers for additional support and guidance.

  • No. Unfortunately, our adventure therapy international excursions are not covered by any insurance at this time.