Off the beaten path: Adventure Therapy as an adjunct to early intervention for psychosis

Objectives: To describe the experience of Adventure Therapy (AT) in young adults with first-episode psychosis, and how it relates to their recovery process. Method: We conducted individual, semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, immediately following, and six months after a four-day adventure expedition. A thematic analysis was performed on all transcripts. Results: One overarching theme emerged from our analysis: a new or renewed experience of being in relation with oneself and with others. Under this broad theme, there were five key themes: (a) experiencing intense, yet contained emotions; (b) developing new perceptions of one's abilities, qualities, or interests; (c) gaining new insights about oneself through the feedback of others; (d) experiencing positive social interactions; and (e) openly sharing with others one's personal experience with psychosis. Various expressions of the impacts of AT on daily life and the recovery process also emerged, such as an increase in self-confidence. Conclusions: Since the recovery process has been conceived of as resting, in part, on a readjustment of one's relation with oneself, others, and the world, AT appears to combine those factors pertaining to recovery. Therefore, the use of AT as an adjunct treatment in early intervention for psychosis could be effective in supporting recovery.