Experiential learning is one of the most impactful ways of learning. Gaining life skills experience is important during the treatment process. Recovery isn’t just something that is learned and kept in a notebook. Recovery is something lived. The tools and skills learned during treatment one day have to be applied in a real life setting, when there are no peers, no therapists, and no safety of structure available. “Where the rubber hits the road” is where recovery really comes into play. Finding the confidence in oneself to utilize those tools and stay healthy in the world outside of treatment is sometimes a challenge. Addicts and alcoholics have often tried many times to stay sober and be successful in their recovery. Not believing in themselves, they can falter more easily because they don’t believe they have the capacity to apply their recovery to their lives.
Ropes courses are an experiential learning tool which helps put confidence to the test in a real time situation. An experiential therapeutic technique, those in recovery are able to see just what they are made of. Full of safety precautions and the guidance of trained therapists, each client pushes their limits and ultimately discovers that they are capable of, quite literally, overcoming any challenge which comes their way. Working with, and against, their minds as well as their bodies, they are able to see that they can work with themselves in support and against their self-defeating thoughts.
Research has found that participating in ropes courses “significantly increases the participants’ levels of leadership and work efficacy” for up to six weeks after the challenge. A boost in confidence is precisely what those in recovery need during their time in treatment. They need encouragement to know that recovery is possible and that they are capable of achieving it.
Avalon By The Sea offers experiential therapy with ropes courses on a seasonal basis. Our programs are full of unique learning opportunities where clients are challenged to grow. Focusing on mind, body, and spirit, our residential treatment programs are curated to the needs of the client to promote transformative healing. For a confidential assessment and more information on our programs of recovery, call us today at 1 888-958-7511.
