Therapeutic Considerations of Wilderness Experiences for Incest and Rape Survivors

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the relevancy of traditional wilderness programs, such as Outward Bound, to women who have been violated by experiences of childhood incest and/or adult sexual assault. Applications to African-American women, women with physical challenges, and women who are economically disenfranchised will be emphasized. The overview is from a feminist perspective, one that advocates empowerment over struggle and resisting revictimization on any level.The Rape Assistance and Awareness Program (RAAP) is a nonprofit agency in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to providing low-cost group psychotherapy for women who have been recently sexually assaulted as well as for women with histories of incest. About five years ago, a three-day Colorado Outward Bound School (COBS)

Preparing the Next Generation: Social Justice in Outdoor Leadership Education and Training

“…Meyer (1994) argued for a cultural focus in wilderness programming and specifically urged educators "to expand the cultur al discussion beyond shallow expressions of tolerance and diversity" (p. 11). Writing about wilderness therapy for women, Asher, Huffaker and McNally (1994) questioned the relevance of traditional wilderness courses for African American women and suggested fundamental changes to adapt them to people of color. They advocated for Afro-centric values of family, harmony of nature, spontaneity, samerace support systems, and creative expression to be rep resented on a course to honor cultural differences.…”

Adventure Based Counseling: An Innovation in Counseling

“…Kessel (1994) used an HMO setting to work with women diagnosed with major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dysthymia, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. Asher, Huffaker, and McNally (1994) examined the relevancy of using wilderness programs in working with female victims of sexual assault or incest. Finally, applications of ABC have been developed for African American women, women with physical challenges, and economically disenfranchised women, but it should be noted that some participants were not satisfied with certain types of wilderness experiences and a lack of a feminist-womencentered approach (Asher et al, 1994).…”

Gendered Experience: Social Theory and Experiential Practice

“…Gender narratives do change in ongoing struggle. Professionals might then begin to understand, for example, women of colour who identify first as members of an ethnicity, but also embrace universally woman-centred metaphors of the wilderness (e.g., Asher et al, 1994). Facilitators might forge connections for men, for example, who do not see differences between men, such as men of different class backgrounds or men of different sexualities, as impacting their own lived experiences of masculinity.…”