Wilderness Therapy as an Intervention for Teens Who Are at the End of Their Rope

Abstract Wilderness therapy, treatment offered in a natural setting, is offered as an alternative to traditional treatment methods (Lodato, N., Blivas, R., & Blivas, N. L. and R., 2024). This model is often used as a last resort for teens who are unsuccessful in other environments. However, when used as a blanket treatment model for all mental health concerns, there is a risk for greater harm inflicted on participants. A case study approach provides evidence of a teen in one of these settings struggling with an eating disorder and self-harm. Although potentially helpful with some concerns, we learn from this study that those certain mental health diagnoses should not be addressed in a wilderness setting. Key Words: troubled teen industry, wilderness therapy, therapeutic boarding schools, youth, case study