Therapeutic Professional Adventure Group Training
Friday, March 13th at 8 am – 4 pm at the Civic Space Park
Led by Shera Smith, MA, LPC, CAS, TRS, WFR
6 Contact Hours Applicable to Licensure & Adventure Therapy Certification

TAPG 2026 Pre-Conference

What happens when you feel stuck and frustrated while using traditional methods in counseling and progress is slow or none. Check out the benefits of using “hands on” learning, Adventure Therapy, Nature based- Counseling, and Recreation Therapy. These techniques are dynamic, person centered, and engage the individual in their own learning process, especially when “talk therapy” doesn’t work. Join us in learning a variety of experiential “hands on” techniques in facilitating individual and group therapy while working with Substance Abuse, Mental Health, and Trauma.

In the morning sessions we will model group community building, goal setting, and assessment. We will introduce theoretical foundations of Adventure Therapy to include The Facilitated Wave Model, The Experiential Learning Model, and Social Learning Model. We will explore definitions of adventure therapy, nature-based therapy, recreation therapy, and trauma informed care. We will also take a brief look at integrating Neuroscience and Adventure.

The afternoon sessions will provide opportunities for participants to experience and evaluate a variety of experiential activities that can be used with MH, Substance Abuse, and forensic populations, both youth and adults. These techniques are dynamic, person centered and engage the individual in their own learning process. All activities will be facilitated in a manner for the participants to easily replicate and adapt these activities for their own clients.

Objectives:

1) Describe the foundations of Adventure Therapy

2) Examine the interconnection of Neuroscience and Adventure.

3) Examine 3 experiential techniques to specifically to your populations while facilitating individual and groups therapy.

4) Describe the importance of proper sequencing and scaffolding.

The 2026 Rocky Mountain AEE Regional Conference, “Facing the Future Together: Pathways for Lasting Connections,” takes place March 13–15 at Arizona State University’s Downtown Campus in Phoenix, AZ. The conference brings together experiential educators to explore how play, outdoor experiences, and relationship-centered practices can strengthen authentic connections across cultures, ages, abilities, and identities. Pre-conference sessions begin as early as March 11 and include Leave No Trace Level 1 Training, a Therapeutic Professional Adventure Group Training, and a South Mountain Group Hike.