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Family Therapy with Adolescents in Residential Treatment pp 143–161Cite as

Walking off the Mountain: Planning Aftercare Support for Adolescents in Wilderness Therapy and Their Families

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Part of the book series: Focused Issues in Family Therapy ((FIFT))

Abstract

Families frequently seek wilderness therapy hoping for a miracle when other treatment interventions have proven ineffective, and these families and their adolescent children frequently do experience powerful shifts during wilderness therapy programs. However, these therapeutic gains are not yet internalized as change, and follow-up treatment is necessary. Navigating the aftercare planning process can be confusing, emotionally fraught, and paralyzing for parents when considering the potential risks associated with not maintaining those gains. This chapter describes why most adolescents transition to longer term residential therapeutic schools and programs post-wilderness, and how that environment can actually be the safest and least restrictive. Many considerations for crafting an aftercare plan are detailed in this chapter, as well as how to safely transition an adolescent to an aftercare program. Situations are discussed in which returning home upon discharge might be recommended. Suggestions are offered for wilderness therapists and home providers regarding how to support parents making difficult aftercare decisions. And lastly, the importance of the wilderness therapy intervention is explained, even in the face of subsequent longer term residential treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Therapist, Open Sky Wilderness Therapy, PO Box 2201, Durango, CO, 81302, USA

    Kirsten L. Bolt

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  1. Kirsten L. Bolt
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Correspondence to Kirsten L. Bolt .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mount Mercy University , Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

    Jacob D. Christenson

  2. Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

    Ashley N. Merritts

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Bolt, K.L. (2017). Walking off the Mountain: Planning Aftercare Support for Adolescents in Wilderness Therapy and Their Families. In: Christenson, J., Merritts, A. (eds) Family Therapy with Adolescents in Residential Treatment. Focused Issues in Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51747-6_9

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