Mountain View Hospital has expanded the services we offer to the community by adding Adventure Based Counseling in an effort to address the needs of our schools, civic groups, and human service agencies.

Adventure Based Counseling is an approach to counseling, activity therapy, and life that is engaging, active, challenging and places a high level of expectation within a supportive and caring atmosphere. Careful selection and sequencing of activities that are tailored to each group’s specific needs build feelings of trust, cohesiveness and cooperation.

The program is designed to take individuals beyond their expectations or perceived willingness to try. Data has shown that persons who choose to go beyond their self-imposed limitations become stronger from the effort, in terms of self-confidence and self-awareness. It is through this experience that participants become aware of positive, healthy behaviors and develop the ability to channel their behaviors in a positive way.

The overall program goals are:

• To increase self-confidence and self-esteem

• To improve management of anger

• To develop more responsible behavior

• To challenge old inappropriate behavior

• To foster appreciation and respect for individual differences

• To develop communication skills

• To improve problem solving techniques

• To develop and improve trust in oneself, other individuals and groups

• To increase personal responsibility and social maturity

• To participate in a variety of physical activities

The specific program components of Adventure Based Counseling are:

• Stress management

• Trust development

• Problem solving and decision making

• Values clarification

• Self-esteem and self-image

• Communication skills

Adventure Based education and counseling is a structured learning program that incorporates all the elements of an adventure – surprise, stimulation, support and significance. It is personally challenging to go beyond perceived boundaries, to think in new ways, and to work with others to solve problems.

For more information on Adventure Based Counseling, please call 1-800-662-1002 or 1-800-245-3645.