Training

AIT training programs target school personnel, mental health practitioners, and other human service providers wishing to expand their use of adventure-based practice. We offer one to four-day training programs, as well as on-going consultation services. Our training curriculum offers a framework for effective facilitation and leadership that can be applied in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, hospitals, correctional facilities and camps where clinical work, including individual and family therapy, is offered.

All of our training programs seek to integrate a blend of lecture, discussion and hands-on experience into the learning process. Although each training is uniquely designed to meet the needs of the particular training group, typical topics covered include the following:

• Integrating the theory of experiential work into one’s current practice
• Applying adventure practice to a wide variety of modalities, including individual counseling, family counseling, group work, staff development and training and school-based interventions.
• Experiencing the impact of adventure-based approaches first-hand
• Assessing client needs from an experiential point of view
• Developing effective learning/therapeutic environments
• Learning the necessary skills to facilitate life experiences effectively
• Guiding participant learning toward desired goals
• Evaluating progress in the process of change
• Dealing with entire client systems effectively

Consultation

Consultation services on the use of adventure/experiential approaches within schools, mental health clinics, correctional settings and other human service organization may be offered on or off-site. These services can provide support, supervision, and direction for staff infusing adventure-based approaches into their practice. One-session consultations, as well as on-going services, are available. Some examples include:

• Helping a group leader “adventure-ize” her ten-session group for clients experiencing grief and loss
• Helping school committees infuse their mission statement into the day-to-day activities of the classroom
• Helping a School Social Worker or Mental Health therapist think “adventure” as they assess clients or develop adventure interventions
• Help coaches think about ways to enhance teamwork in their volleyball team
• Help a teacher “gain control” of his classroom