Do you want to provide therapeutic experiences for people in natural environments?

This practitioner training course will build on your existing knowledges and skills, and help consolidate your foundational values, ethics and competencies. It will help you to consolidate your Outdoor & Adventure Therapy Practice Framework and ready you to provide therapeutic experiences outdoors for people from all walks of life. The immersion and training program are grounded in Aboriginal ways of relating with Country. Cultural input from Aboriginal participants is welcomed.

For the first time, this course is a combined cross-disciplinary course. It is designed for trained Psychologists, Therapists and Counsellors AND trained outdoor educators and adventure leaders. All participants are invited to bring their experience and knowing, along with their open minds and not-knowing. Participants from diverse backgrounds will be offered opportunities to merge or separate and focus on different areas of knowledge at different times during the course. We are looking forward to the rich cross-fertilisation of ideas and insights this combined course will provide for all participants and facilitators.

COURSE DATES: Online connections begin Thurs 27th July and close Thurs 31st Aug 2023

INFO SESSIONS:

Thursday 27th April 12-12.30pm AND 8-8.30pm  

Thursday 18th May 12-12.30pm AND 8-8.30pm

Thursday 22^nd June 12-12.30pm AND 8-8.30pm

Please RSVP for an info session here

4-DAY IMMERSION: Thursday to Sunday, 17th to 20th Aug 2023

LOCATION: Online and in-person (in Tasmania, East coast)

FEE: $2200 + GST

Fee includes: Aboriginal cultural mentorship, Course Book, 2 x individual sessions, 4 x online sessions, 4-day bush immersion and integration materials. Fee does not include: transport to/from the venue or food. Meals are self-catered but may be coordinated with others.

Note: Completion of this course is a pre-requisite for entry to the “Certificate of Outdoor or Adventure Therapy Competency” short course.

Outdoor Therapy and Bush Adventure Therapy are part of the emerging Outdoor Health sector in Australia, along with other evidence-informed nature-based health practices like Outdoor Counselling, Animal assisted therapies and Ecotherapy (to name a few).

OVERVIEW

This course provides an online and experiential introduction to Outdoor & Adventure Therapy for trained counsellors, psychologists, social workers, outdoor educators, adventure leaders, and cultural practitioners. It is a cross-disciplinary training program, offering a progression of knowledge and skills, practical experiences, and opportunities to develop therapeutic practice in a supportive environment. Aboriginal cultural leaders and participants will help to ground us in Country and guide our learnings.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

A lead-in Information session, Individual planning session, and 2 x online group sessions will prepare us to make the most of our 4 days together. The 4-day immersion includes cultural grounding, experiential learning, and reflective processes to build confidence and skills in working therapeutically with individuals and groups, in and with nature. Follow-on sessions translate lessons learned into a personal Outdoor & Adventure Therapy Practice Framework. Supervision supports the establishment of effective practices in your chosen context.

This is a cross-disciplinary course. We look forward to rich cross-fertilisation.

All participants will benefit from having completed a First aid course, a Psychological first aid course and Cultural Awareness Training (or equivalent) prior to commencement of this Foundational course.

COURSE FACILITATORS

This introductory course has been collaborative designed by a cross-disciplinary team of trained outdoor and adventure therapists, and Aboriginal cultural practitioners.