Honor Wellness – “Walk it Off” – Nature-Based Hiking Therapy Group
Honor Wellness Center is inviting you to explore it’s nature-based hiking therapy group, if you are interested in knowing more take a moment to complete this survey.
What is nature-based therapy?
Natural environments have been proven to trigger psychological and physiological restoration in humans. The field of nature-based therapy is often used as an umbrella term encompassing a multitude of different theories and techniques geared towards utilizing nature as a therapeutic method. Through these, nature has been seen as not just a setting but an important helping component of therapy, some therapists going as far as referring to nature as a co-therapist.
Wilderness Therapy programs – within the nature-based therapy umbrella – have been utilized as a tool for assisting with the residual effects of combat for Veterans across the US. There are several different programs and organizations utilizing hiking to work through Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. For example, Warrior Expeditions is a non-profit organization created in 2013 by a Marine Corps veteran named Sean Gobin. In 2012, Sean hiked the Appalachian Trail to try to decompress from his multiple combat deployment after being inspired by Early Shaffner, the first person to hike the entire trail who was also a fellow war veteran. Sean was insprired by his outlook changing after his month-long journey and turned that into his mission of “wanting to help other warriors walk off the war like he did.”
This program is sought to help those at Honor Wellness Center “walk off the war” that they are faced with each and every day.
Sessions will be facilitated by Samantha Gower, a student clinician who is working on obtaining her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Capella University, along with fellow master’s level student clinicians. This group is to provide an alternative form of treatment that gets clients outside to be able to utilize the healing properties that nature has to offer.
Any clinical contact outside of “Walk it Off” should be directed to Phyllis DiGioia at (860)-919-9762.
RULES & OUTLINE
All information that is shared and discussed within the group is confidential. Group members will be required to follow the listed expectations:
Group Rules
· Please be on time for all sessions – no more than 15 minutes late
· Each meeting spot will be pre-determined prior to the hike and cancelled by 5PM the night prior if weather conditions do not allow for a safe session
· Each group member is in charge of coming prepared – i.e. proper foot wear, water, bug spray, snacks, etc.
· If a member of the group sees someone on the hike that they do not want knowing they are with Honor Wellness Center, the group member is able to break off from the group and resume when and if he/she feels comfortable
Group Expectations
· No Crosstalk
· No Advice Giving
· No Criticism
· Respect the Group
· Respect Yourself
INTERESTED IN JOINING OR WANT MORE INFO? FILL IN THE QUESTIONAIRE BELOW!
Cost & Materials
There is no cost to join and attending the group. The only expenditure that will occur is the gas to get to the location that we will be hiking at. Group members will be informed on what locations we will be hiking on what dates at least a month in advance to plan accordingly.
Privacy and Protected Information
All group members are required to sign a confidentiality agreement before participating in group sessions.
All information provided to Honor Wellness Center is considered protected.