DOCUMENT RESUNi:
ED 353 115 RC 018 934
AUTHOR Hatala, Elaine
TITLE Experiential Learning and Therapy.
PUB DATE Oct 92
Note 4p. Int Hanna, Glenda M., Ed, Celebrating Our
Tradition Charting Our Future: Proceedings of the
International Conference of the Association for
Experiential Education (20th, Banff, Alberta, Canada,
October 8-11, 1992); see RC UIE 928.
PUB TYPE Speeches/Conforence Papers (150) ~~ Reports —
Descriptive (141)
EDRS PRICE €PO1/PCO1 Plus Postayes
DESCRIPTORS “Adolescents; “Adventure Education; Behavior Change;
‘Experiential Learning; Intervention; Outdoor
Education; Performance Contracts; Secondary
Edueation} Self Concept; "Substance Abuse; *Therapys
Transfer of Training
IDENTIFIERS Experiential Therapy; *Rope Course
ABSTRACT
This paper describes the experiential therapy program
at the Bowling Green Adolescent Center (New Jersey). This model
supports the view that the therapeutic process of addiction treatuent
is accelerated and enhanced by providing the patients with
experiential interventions. Experiential therapy includes goal
setting, hands-on participation, group-oriented interactions, and
activities allowing for accommodation and expression of patient
Progress. Following each activity patients are prompted to make
observations abuut individual and group benaviers and the impact on
themselves and others. Through generalizations, patients begin on a
cognitive level to relate those experiences and behavior to recovery.
Patients ure encouraged to take what they have experienced and
learned during adventure experiences, and apply it to their Lherapies
and interactions. Another component of the program is the use of
daily behavior contracts which establish individual and group goals.
Each week, one of the therapists and his/her therapy group go to the
high ropes course, which has praven to be an enjoyable, rewarding,
and helpful intervention for patients. Bowling Green staff,
Professionally trained, are intimately involved in the treatment
Program. This paper suggests that experiential therapy is an
effective vehicle for patients to address individual treatment gnats
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To THE EqUcATIONAL resounces
Elaine Hatala INFORWATiON CENTER em)
Bowling Green Adolescent Center
109 Jackson Road « P.O. Box 314
Berlin, NJ 08009 |
(609) 767-3000 @ 1-800-232-2661 « FAX(609) 753-9658
Experiential ‘Therapy is a vehicle for patients to address individual treatment goals. Experiential
‘Therapy at Bowling Green Adolescent Center is based on a model of experiential learning. This
‘model, described here, supports oar conviction that the therapeutic process of addictions treatment
is accelerated and enhanced by providing the patients with experiential, rather than traditional