What is Bush Adventure Therapy?

Bush Adventure Therapy (BAT) underpins each of our programs at Human Nature Adventure Therapy. It is core to our work and the structure of our therapeutic services.

We are a member of the Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy (AABAT), and our founder Andy Hamilton is a special guest speaker at their 2019 Forum.  Find our more at Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy.

What is Bush Adventure Therapy?

BAT uses a combination of individual counselling, group work, physical challenges, and natural environments to promote motivation and healthy life changes.

BAT is known as a strength-based approach. This means attention is given to building people’s self-determination and strengths. It’s based on a philosophy and a way of viewing those taking part as resourceful and resilient in the face of adversity.

BAT works because:

• Separation from technology creates space to form authentic relationships

• Patterns seen at home emerge in the field; through these insights, therapists help students move through the stages of change

• Living with the basics requires a self-reliance to build confidence that lasts a lifetime

• Living in Nature develops resiliency, resourcefulness, and accountability

• Experiential lessons involve students in the therapeutic process and assist them in developing appropriate tools to cope with stress

This approach safely removes the young person from unhealthy systems, peer groups, substances and technology and places them in the restorative energy of Nature with a solid team of professional support.

If you want to read more about Bush Adventure Therapy, click on this link.