"The effectiveness of wilderness therapy comes largely from fully immersing the children in a unique natural environment," Katherine Eastlake said on Lon Woodbury's Internet Talk Radio Show, "Parent Choices for Struggling Teens" September 12, 2011 on
LATalkRadio, co-hosted by Larry Stednitz Ph.D..
"Taking a child out of their zone of comfort at home, eliminating distractions like electronic gadgets, teaching them how to survive in comfort in a wilderness environment, and forcing them into a situation where they have to learn how to relate positively with other adults and children," Eastlake continued, "provides numerous opportunities to teach accountability, responsibility for themselves, and enhances their self-confidence."
"Numerous Outcome Studies and other research show this nurturing and peer support approach is effective," Eastlake continued, "and is the exact opposite of the punishment oriented and harsh Boot Camp approach."
"Working with children in the wilderness allows a rebuilding of parent-child-sibling relationships," Eastlake concluded "through multi-family meetings, letter writing and having the parents go through a parallel program at home preparing them for a more healthy relationship with their child."
To listen to the full interview, go to
LATalkRadio.com
Lon Woodbury, MA, IECA, CEP is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports Inc. and
www.strugglingteens.com . He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984, and is the Host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens.
Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Program, Oregon, was founded by Rob Cooley PhD. in 1988 and is licensed as a Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program and is JCAHO accredited.