Therapy mostly out of doors with youth, adults, groups and families

Different to our disability support work at GAS, Bush Adventure Therapy (or BAT as it’s referred to) 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.

Located in Newtown next to The Hill mountain bike park and the Barwon River, a BAT session can involve a walk, ride or a paddle. Therapy dog Sunny is also always keen for a walk. Sessions can be 1-hour or extended to suit when travelling further afield. We have a cosy indoor space available too. 

Medicare rebates available for work with Ellie (Mental Health Social Worker). 

Our service is unique because our BAT 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 and coaching to master new skills
• 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

Download our detailed Bush Adventure Therapy Service Booklet

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 $190 per hour.