The Wilderness Program

Professional Development Program

The focus is on engaging participants with their culture - physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Wilderness Therapy Course

Course Purpose
To enhance the student’s understanding of the psychological impact of wilderness therapy as a participant, a group member and facilitator.

Who is it targeted at?
This program targets professionals in education, police, community health, outdoor recreation and others who work with targeted populations to facilitate personal growth opportunities. This program is a foundation course for individuals seeking to work in the field of wilderness therapy and is a pre-requisite for program staff who work with the Wilderness Program.

What do you require to do this course?
The student is required to show willingness to conduct self assessment during the program and to be able to reflect upon the activities presented. As a foundation course, it is assumed that most students will be seeking a wide, yet thorough basis from which to develop their soft-skills. This course involves experiential activities that invoke personal and group growth opportunities. Aspects of this may therefore be confronting. The course may not be suitable for individuals who are at present finding emotional or psychological issues stressful.

Course Format
This residential program follows a wilderness therapy format along the lines of the current Wilderness Program as delivered within Tasmania. The medium for learning will be theoretical and practical in focus, with each section of skill development given an opportunity to be experientially applied. Techniques such as groupwork exercises will be used as teaching tools, with participant journals a means for recording personal strategies and insights for self-discovery. The activity focus areas will include abseiling, rockclimbing, kayaking and bushwalking. Course participants will receive upon completion a Certificate of Achievement in Wilderness Therapy.

Course topics include:

Communication, trust & empathy
Facilitating Experience
Participant growth through group developmental processes
Application of developmental and psychological theory
Facilitator self-care
Personal evaluation.

How to Apply
To attend you need to download and complete the application form. For information about dates and location please refer to our Training Opportunities web page. Please send in the completed application form and a $100 deposit to the Wilderness Program, PO Box 943, Rosny Park, Tas 7018.

Click here to view the Application Form

Elders Gathering
The objective of the Elders Gathering is to gain a collective understanding of the Wilderness Program counselling model rather than focusing on understanding the Wilderness Program process which is the role of the Wilderness Therapy Course. More specifically we aim to analyse our strengths and challenges in the field of counselling and create an opportunity for staff to develop their approaches.

Conceptual Role-plays About Participant Issues
Facilitators also meet on a regular basis to workshop particular issues of concern or interest that arise from standard courses. These courses have in the past dealt with issues such as conflict resolution, spirituality and anger management . The content of these workshops is largely dictated by the needs and feedback provided by facilitators. They require continued input and motivation from facilitators if they are to be sustained in the future.

Home -> Sport and Recreation Tasmania -> Wilderness Program -> Programs -> Professional Development Program
Home Who we are Programs Training Opportunities Methods Publications Events Calendar Photo Gallery Useful links	Professional Development Program The focus is on engaging participants with their culture - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Wilderness Therapy Course Course Purpose To enhance the student’s understanding of the psychological impact of wilderness therapy as a participant, a group member and facilitator. Who is it targeted at? This program targets professionals in education, police, community health, outdoor recreation and others who work with targeted populations to facilitate personal growth opportunities. This program is a foundation course for individuals seeking to work in the field of wilderness therapy and is a pre-requisite for program staff who work with the Wilderness Program. What do you require to do this course? The student is required to show willingness to conduct self assessment during the program and to be able to reflect upon the activities presented. As a foundation course, it is assumed that most students will be seeking a wide, yet thorough basis from which to develop their soft-skills. This course involves experiential activities that invoke personal and group growth opportunities. Aspects of this may therefore be confronting. The course may not be suitable for individuals who are at present finding emotional or psychological issues stressful. Course Format This residential program follows a wilderness therapy format along the lines of the current Wilderness Program as delivered within Tasmania. The medium for learning will be theoretical and practical in focus, with each section of skill development given an opportunity to be experientially applied. Techniques such as groupwork exercises will be used as teaching tools, with participant journals a means for recording personal strategies and insights for self-discovery. The activity focus areas will include abseiling, rockclimbing, kayaking and bushwalking. Course participants will receive upon completion a Certificate of Achievement in Wilderness Therapy. Course topics include: Communication, trust & empathy Facilitating Experience Participant growth through group developmental processes Application of developmental and psychological theory Facilitator self-care Personal evaluation. How to Apply To attend you need to download and complete the application form. For information about dates and location please refer to our Training Opportunities web page. Please send in the completed application form and a $100 deposit to the Wilderness Program, PO Box 943, Rosny Park, Tas 7018. Click here to view the Application Form Elders Gathering The objective of the Elders Gathering is to gain a collective understanding of the Wilderness Program counselling model rather than focusing on understanding the Wilderness Program process which is the role of the Wilderness Therapy Course. More specifically we aim to analyse our strengths and challenges in the field of counselling and create an opportunity for staff to develop their approaches. Conceptual Role-plays About Participant Issues Facilitators also meet on a regular basis to workshop particular issues of concern or interest that arise from standard courses. These courses have in the past dealt with issues such as conflict resolution, spirituality and anger management . The content of these workshops is largely dictated by the needs and feedback provided by facilitators. They require continued input and motivation from facilitators if they are to be sustained in the future.