Many people who work in wilderness therapy jobs aren’t licensed psychologists, even if they have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology. Instead, they are people who share a passion for the outdoors and an extensive knowledge of it, as well as a desire to collaborate with and assist others. Because most wilderness therapy programs require participants to live in residence, counselors and leaders are the most common positions. They will live with the participants and plan the programs with them every step of the way. Field guides and instructors are also common jobs in wilderness therapy, as these individuals teach participants field skills for activities such as camping, hiking, and boating.
The majority of wilderness therapy programs are designed for older children and teenagers who are at-risk or have gotten themselves into trouble. They are not the same as boot camps, but adventure therapy is a term that is sometimes used to describe them. In general, they group teens and teach them outdoor and wilderness skills in a group setting. This could be simple activities like hiking and camping, or more advanced activities like rock climbing or trust-building activities like ropes courses. Each program may be slightly different, and as a result, certain skills may be required.
People with a college degree in a related field, such as psychology or a specific certification in adventure therapy, are more likely to be hired for wilderness therapy jobs. The program managers may be required to be licensed psychologists, but the rest of the staff may or may not be. Some of the most common wilderness therapy jobs are counselors, mentors, and group leaders or directors, which entail living on the property with the participants, fostering positive relationships, and planning the daily programs. Because the kids will often be difficult to work with, these people must be able to be professional and maintain control in a variety of situations.
Field guides and field instructors are two other common types of wilderness therapy jobs. These individuals usually have backgrounds in environmental education and wilderness survival skills, and they will take program participants on real trips and wilderness outings to teach outdoor and survival skills. Aside from those who interact directly with program participants, people who help with day-to-day operations, such as office administrators, property maintenance, or cleaners, may also work in wilderness therapy programs.