Therapy mostly out of doors with youth, adults, groups and families.
Different to our disability support work at GAS, Outdoor Counselling is essentially therapy outside in green and blue spaces e.g. parks, creeks, rivers, beaches and other natural areas. Each session is tailored to meet the individual needs of the participant as no two people are the same.
A session can involve a walk, ride or a paddle. Therapy dog Sunny is also always keen to join in. Sessions can be 1-hour or extended to suit when travelling further afield. We have a cosy indoor space available too.
Our service is unique because our Adventure Therapy Staff provide a 2 in 1 service, professionally trained in both outdoor skills and in providing targeted therapeutic support.
Common challenges our participants face:
- School Refusal
- Autism (Asperger’s syndrome, pathological demand avoidance)
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ ADHD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Complex trauma
- Insomnia and sleeping difficulties
- Schizophrenia / Schizoaffective disorders
- Anxiety and Depression
- Psychosocial difficulties
- Physical disability
- Intellectual disability (ID/ DD)
- Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD/ FASD)
- Family Violence
- Screen / gaming / online addiction
Our areas of expertise include
- Psychoeducation (teaching hacks on how to manage overwhelming emotions and feelings)
- Relaxation strategies (breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques outdoors)
- Strengths based approach (focusing in on the strengths/ not deficits)
- Solution focused (focusing on solutions not problems)
- Unconditional positive regard (providing safe and supportive spaces for people experiencing intense emotions, thoughts, and feelings)
- Non-violent communication (encouraging and responsible behaviour from our staff)
- Positive role modelling (we work on ourselves to demonstrate positive behaviour)
- Counselling
Examples of tailored BAT experiences
- 1:1 counselling whilst walking side by side on a bushwalk/ dog walk or
- Sitting by the bay/river catching fish
- Living in community and learning from others on a week-long canoe journey
- Returning to a place on a regular basis to observe seasonal changes and daily rhythms
- Mountain bike riding
- Practicing new strategies in outdoor adventure (eg. emotional regulation during rock climbing)
- Co-designing your own tailored BAT adventure (a few hours or a few days in length)
We believe in starting wherever the participant is in their life journey, and we welcome you to get in touch to see if we can be of help on your life adventure.
Download our 1-page Bush Adventure Therapy Service Overview
Download our 1-page Education Engagement Support Service Overview
Who is it for?
Everyone and anyone who can benefit from these practices. However, currently we service mostly >12 years and over.
Download our intake form (PDF version | Word Version) and return it to intake@geelongadventurespecialists.com.au
Contact us for a no obligation 10-minute chat to see if we are the right fit for your needs.
Shelley 0490 037 699
Intake Process
Step 1
Submit an intake form (PDF version | Word Version).
Step 2
Meet with us in person or online to design your program.
Step 3
Begin.
Cost $156 per hour.
| NDIS compatible funding options: | |
| Therapeutic Supports – Social Worker 15_056_0128_1_3 | |
| Therapeutic Supports – Counsellor 15_043_0128_1_3 | |
| Innovative Community Participation 09_008_0116_6_3 | |
| Animal Assisted (Therapy Dog) sessions: add 15min Non-Face-To-Face Services | |
Booking Enquiry
If you’re keen to book any of these, please see our terms & conditions
Then phone us on: (03) 5222 1431 or enquire on through the form below.