Ethical Considerations in Adventure Therapy: A Feminist Critique

The author addresses two major questions: (1) What ethical dilemmas exist in providing adventure therapy for women as it is commonly practiced? and, (2) Given what we know, how can adventure therapy be of the most therapeutic value to women? Research regarding the effectiveness of adventure therapy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Women & therapy 1994-09, Vol.15 (3-4), p.55-84
Main Author: Mitten, Denise
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adventure
Disease management
Health
Health care
Preventive medicine
Professional ethics
Psychology
Therapy
Women
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The author addresses two major questions: (1) What ethical dilemmas exist in providing adventure therapy for women as it is commonly practiced? and, (2) Given what we know, how can adventure therapy be of the most therapeutic value to women? Research regarding the effectiveness of adventure therapy is mixed and inconclusive. A competing hypothesis for causation of the global changes people experience after a therapeutic experience is the impact of natural environment. Adventure therapy has its roots in a patriarchal society and was developed for boys and men. The same principles and practices now are being applied to women, thus creating a challenge for feminists in the field of adventure therapy to selectively employ those aspects of adventure therapy which increase women's mental and emotional health, and to discard or modify those aspects which are harmful. The author presents a model she believes recognizes women's strengths as well as needs. This model respects individual differences, recognizes and addresses the power difference between the leader/therapist and client, and respects the natural environment.
ISSN:0270-3149
1541-0315
DOI:10.1300/J015v15n03_06