Running head: BOOK REVIEW: COMING OF AGE
Book Review:
Coming of Age:
The Evolving Field of Adventure Therapy
(Bandoroff & Newes, 2004)
Reviewed by James T. Neill
University of Canberra
2005
Author’s note.
James Neill currently teaches and conducts research in the Centre for Applied Psychology, University of Canberra, Australia. Since 2001 he has been the editor of
Manuscript word count: 600 approx.
Book Details
Title: Coming of Age: The Evolving Field of Adventure Therapy Phenomena: Critical Explorations of Relations Between Individuals, 'Others' and the Environment
Editors: Scott Bandoroff and Sandra Newes
Publisher: Association for Experiential Education, Boulder, CO
Edition: 1st
Year: 2004
Pages: 260
ISBN: 0-929361-14-8
Price: US$32 (order online
Book Review:
Coming of Age:
The Evolving Field of Adventure Therapy
(Bandoroff & Newes, 2004)
Wilderness and adventure therapy, depending on who you ask, has been around in its contemporary (evolving) form for about 50 to 100 years. In the recent decade, there has been notable growth in international scholarship, recognition of diverse and common practices, and integration of theory, research, and practice in adventure therapy. The latest evidence of emerging developments in Adventure Therapy can be found in this recommended book: “Coming of Age: The Evolving Field of Adventure Therapy” (Bandoroff & News, 2004).
“Coming of Age” has 15 refereed chapters likely to interest anyone seeking to understand the evolving and maturing field of adventure therapy. The papers emerged from the Third International Adventure Therapy Conference, held in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, 2003[1]. Collectively these chapters move through and tackle many current professional and academic thinking, issues, theory and research in Adventure Therapy. This book also reaches beyond adventure therapists and should be of interest to mental health professionals and those engaged with the psycho-social nature of experiential education and outdoor education.
The “Coming of Age” book offers the current thinking and work of many leading thinkers and voices in Adventure Therapy from around the world, including Martin Ringer, Sean Hoyer, Keith Russell, Denise Mitten, Alan Drengson, Simon Crisp, Catherine Carpenter, Anita Pryor, Blair Gilbert, and Rudiger Gilsdorf. Half of the chapters are theory-oriented and suggest an evolving maturity in the way adventure therapy is being described and discussed, particularly within the context of broader treatment modalities and theory. The advances in adventure therapy theory are one of the key reasons why this book, and adventure therapy literature in general, should be examined by anyone seriously interested in the role of adventure and outdoor experiences in today’s societies. Amongst the highlights in the section are two diverse papers, Hoyer’s “Effective Wilderness Therapy: Theory-Informed Practice” and Drengson’s “The Wild Way.”
The “Coming of Age” editors have shaped the volume as a book rather than conference proceedings, a refreshing and worthwhile initiative. “Coming of Age” has an introductory section, with a handy preface by Martin Ringer and an introductory overview by Bandoroff and Newes. A concluding chapter would also have been helpful. The three main sections each containing several chapters are:
- "Theoretical Considerations" includes papers which describe the core characteristics of adventure therapy (Newes & Bandoroff), apply the principles of Gestalt, Narrative and Psychodynamic approaches to adventure therapy, describe relations between theory and practice (Hoyer), integrate Jungian psychology (archetypes and mythical symbols) into experiential programming (Willcocks), connects Adventure Therapy with Buddhist psychology (Trace), and explores the conceptual and practical features of practical disciplines and whole arts within wild journeying (Drengson).
- “Application and Evaluation” presents papers reviewing research directions in wilderness therapy (Russell), describing a mixed-methods adolescent development counseling study (Mossman & Goldthorpe), exploring the potential merits of inactivity in an activity-oriented wilderness therapy program (Nicholls)
- “Continuing Evolution” contains papers on the difference between adventure therapy and therapeutic adventure (Williams), describing three key criteria (evidence, ethics and practice) for Adventure Therapy to become a profession (Crisp), exploring the historical, landscape and cultural elements of adventure therapy practice in Australia and New Zealand (Carpenter & Pryor), and overviewing adventure therapy as a complementary and alternative medicine (Mitten).
A myriad of mental and social issues are highlighted with real, hopeful examples, theory, and research evidence about the potential of adventure therapy for dealing with psychological and social problems. All in all, I found many of the writers refreshing in the honesty of their descriptions as passionate professionals struggling, working and coming to terms with the role that adventure therapy can and needs to play in the twenty-first century.
Conclusion
“Coming of Age” covers remarkably diverse international territory and is likely to prove to be a key marker in the evolving field of adventure therapy. This volume, more than any other currently available, stands out for bringing together diverse, passionate, experienced voices in adventure therapy. Hopefully it will also foster healthy ongoing discussion about ways for the future.
Reference
Bandoroff, S., & Newes, S. (Eds.) (2004). Coming of Age: The evolving field of adventure therapy. Boulder, CO: Association of Experiential Education.
Itin, C. (Ed.) (1998). Exploring the boundaries: proceedings of the First International Adventure Therapy Conference. Perth, Western Australia, July 1997. Boulder, CO: Association for Experiential Education.
Richards, K., & Smith, B. (Eds.) (2003). Therapy within adventure: Proceedings of the Second International Adventure Therapy Conference. Germany: ZIEL.
1
[1] Proceedings of the previous international adventure4 therapy conferences are also available (Itin, 1998; Richards & Smith, 2003).