The Effectiveness of Outdoor Therapy with Military Veterans

The Effectiveness of Outdoor Therapy with Military Veterans PDF Author: Raina Nareg
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
ABSTRACT Objective: This study explores an understudied area of outdoor therapy, an alternative therapeutic model for addressing mental health with military veterans. It includes the perspectives of outdoor therapy participants to inform the research findings. Method: A phenomenological approach inquired veteran perspectives of mental health recovery and outdoor therapy. A gender-based analysis uncovered themes regarding hypermasculinity within military culture. Interview questions explored experiences with Warrior Adventures Canada (WAC), the efficacy of outdoor therapy, and military culture. The study also evaluated responses to program evaluations completed by past WAC participants. Results: The findings indicate positive improvements to mental health and mental resiliency. These interviews highlight the cultural nuances and gendered differences within the military, which can influence mental health deterioration. Conclusion: Qualitative data suggests beneficial aspects for mental health recovery not typically found within mainstream trauma-focused approaches, relating to the comfort, safety and trust innately found in the program of WAC.

The Effectiveness of Outdoor Therapy with Military Veterans

The Effectiveness of Outdoor Therapy with Military Veterans PDF Author: Raina Nareg
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
ABSTRACT Objective: This study explores an understudied area of outdoor therapy, an alternative therapeutic model for addressing mental health with military veterans. It includes the perspectives of outdoor therapy participants to inform the research findings. Method: A phenomenological approach inquired veteran perspectives of mental health recovery and outdoor therapy. A gender-based analysis uncovered themes regarding hypermasculinity within military culture. Interview questions explored experiences with Warrior Adventures Canada (WAC), the efficacy of outdoor therapy, and military culture. The study also evaluated responses to program evaluations completed by past WAC participants. Results: The findings indicate positive improvements to mental health and mental resiliency. These interviews highlight the cultural nuances and gendered differences within the military, which can influence mental health deterioration. Conclusion: Qualitative data suggests beneficial aspects for mental health recovery not typically found within mainstream trauma-focused approaches, relating to the comfort, safety and trust innately found in the program of WAC.

Digging for Victory

Digging for Victory PDF Author: Joanna Wise
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429912749
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 184

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Book Description
Horticultural Therapy is ideally suited to engage veterans alienated from traditional civilian healthcare routes who present with a range of complex and challenging healthcare needs. It presents, on the surface, as a deceptively simple and accessible activity. Carried out by trained professionals, it is an evidence-based, effective and cost-effective treatment. By targeting specific client-centred goals, it is able to integrate improved individual physical, emotional, cognitive and social outcomes with broader opportunities to transition successfully into civilian society through learning a valuable skill set and a meaningful occupation. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the methods of Horticultural Therapy as applied to this unique client group. It describes the type of combat training and experiences veterans may have had, and sets out the common issues and pitfalls civilian therapists often face when working with the military. Looking to the future, it also identifies promising avenues in terms of how we may improve the treatment we offer to best serve the needs of these ex-service men and women who fight on our behalf.

Field Exercises

Field Exercises PDF Author: Stephanie Westlund
Publisher: New Society Publishers
ISBN: 0865717613
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 243

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Book Description
How connecting with nature is helping veterans reintegrate into civilian life and recover from PTSD.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine for PTSD

Complementary and Alternative Medicine for PTSD PDF Author: David M. Benedek
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190205970
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 385

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Book Description
The number of individuals diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder has increased in the past decade, not only in the military and veteran population but within the civilian population as well. Traditional treatments such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy have provided less-than-ideal results proving to be less effective when used alone to treat the disorder. Complementary and Alternative Medicine for PTSD supplements these traditional treatments, using new and effective techniques to fill the therapeutic void. The alternative therapies covered include acceptance and commitment therapy, acupuncture, alternative pharmacology, canine assistive therapy, family focused interventions, internet and computer-based therapy, meditation techniques, mobile applications, recreational therapy, resilience training, transracial magnetic stimulation, virtual reality exposure therapy, and yoga. Each chapter delivers the most up-to-date understanding of neurobiology, best practices, and key points for clinicians and patients considering inclusion of these treatments in patient care. Drs. David Benedek and Gary Wynn offer insight into the future of complementary and alternative medicine, shining a light onto how these techniques fit into clinical practice to create the most beneficial treatments for the patient. This book is both an essential resource and practical guide to everyday clinical interactions. It is a necessary addition to the medical library for students and senior clinicians alike.

Art Therapy with Veterans

Art Therapy with Veterans PDF Author: Rachel Mims
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
ISBN: 1787753344
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 242

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Book Description
With both personal and professional insight from a range of contributors, this informative guide highlights the use of art therapy in a range of settings to support military veterans. Offering a wealth of knowledge on this approach and the variety of current programs available, this is an invaluable resource for all therapists looking to provide support for this population. Chapters explore the use of art therapy in a range of different settings, including museum programs, open studio therapy and assisted living environments, as well as large group therapy at treatment facilities for active-duty service members. It also offers rare insight into the effectiveness of art therapy in supporting veterans who are processing military sexual trauma, moral injury and countertransference, filling essential gaps in knowledge within this area. As demand for this practice continues to grow, Art Therapy with Veterans provides inspiration for future programs and therapists looking to support military communities.

Adventure Therapy

Adventure Therapy PDF Author: Michael A. Gass
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000043886
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 513

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Book Description
This revised text describes the theory substantiating adventure therapy, demonstrates best practices in the field, and presents research validating the immediate and long-term effects of adventure therapy. A leading text in the field of adventure therapy, outdoor behavioral healthcare, and wilderness therapy, the book is written by three professionals who have been at the forefront of the field since its infancy. This new edition includes fully updated chapters to reflect the immense changes in the field since the first edition was written in 2010. It serves to provide information detailing what is occurring with clients as well as how it occurs. This book provides an invaluable reference for the seasoned professional and is a required source of information and examination for the beginning professional. It is a great training resource for adventure therapy practices in the field of mental health.

Building Resilience for Military Stressors Through Wilderness Therapy

Building Resilience for Military Stressors Through Wilderness Therapy PDF Author: Ceara Scanlon
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Military
Languages : en
Pages : 126

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Book Description
As the Department of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Administration (VA) continue to see rising rates of suicide among military and veteran populations, there is a growing demand to understand why these rates are increasing and to explore alternative treatment approaches (The Department of Defense (DoD) Annual Suicide Report, 2019). Historically, programs that incorporate the wilderness have been utilized as an alternative treatment modality for veterans, particularly those experiencing PTSD and related symptomatology. Wilderness therapy has been given a variety of names. Some of the titles include outdoor therapy, ecotherapy, nature-based therapy, adventure therapy and wilderness experience programs (Russell, 2001). Related to wilderness therapy are techniques such as boot camps, ropes courses, camping trips or simply taking patients outside while conducting treatment. All of these have been categorized to some extent under the umbrella concept of "wilderness therapy". A broader definition that will be used for the purpose of this paper is that wilderness therapy is a type of treatment modality that utilizes traditional therapy treatment, techniques, and education in an outdoor environment (Smithson, 2009). Most wilderness programs focus on veterans and trauma and not on building resiliency before trauma occurs. Due to this, the focus of this paper aims to explore ways to utilize wilderness therapy proactively as a way to build resiliency. Further understanding of the causes for rising suicide rates in this population are needed, in addition to incorporating alternative approaches to combating suicidality before it develops. In addition, alternative approaches to treating mental illness in the DoD and VA will be addressed. A treatment guide for the DoD and VA that takes a strength-based approach to building resiliency in military personnel was devised. The focus was to integrate wilderness therapy and strength-based techniques into general military population, as a proactive approach to building resiliency before mental health concerns arise.

Therapeutic Landscapes

Therapeutic Landscapes PDF Author: Allison Williams
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317010809
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 399

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Book Description
The therapeutic landscape concept, first introduced early in the 1990s, has been widely employed in health/medical geography and gaining momentum in various health-related disciplines. This is the first book published in several years, and provides an introduction to the concept and its applications. Written by health/medical geographers and anthropologists, it addresses contemporary applications in the natural and built environments; for special populations, such as substance abusers; and in health care sites, a new and evolving area - and provides an array of critiques or contestations of the concept and its various applications. The conclusion of the work provides a critical evaluation of the development and progress of the concept to date, signposting the likely avenues for future investigation.

Handbook of Psychosocial Interventions for Veterans and Service Members

Handbook of Psychosocial Interventions for Veterans and Service Members PDF Author: Nathan David Ainspan
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199353999
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 489

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Book Description
The Handbook of Psychosocial Interventions for Veterans and Service Members is a "one stop" handbook for non-military clinicians working with service members, veterans, and their families.

Nature and Health

Nature and Health PDF Author: Eric Brymer
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 100039915X
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 262

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Book Description
• The volume is multidisciplinary in its approach thus gaining insights from a number of perspectives • Each chapter is written by a subject expert from their respective fields • The book relates theory and evidence to relevant current and future policy and practice • This is the first volume that examines this new and emerging subject