The Adventure Group Therapist is responsible for planning and facilitating therapeutic, experiential, and adventure-based groups for individuals receiving substance use disorder and behavioral health treatment. This position uses outdoor and experiential activities to promote recovery, emotional regulation, healthy coping skills, communication, teamwork, self-confidence, and personal growth.
The Adventure Group Therapist will create a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment while incorporating evidence-based clinical practices and experiential interventions into the treatment process.
- Facilitate individual and group therapeutic sessions utilizing adventure and experiential-based interventions.
- Plan and lead safe, structured activities such as hiking, team-building exercises, outdoor recreation, mindfulness activities, and other therapeutic experiences.
- Use experiential activities to address recovery goals, emotional regulation, communication, interpersonal relationships, coping skills, and self-esteem.
- Develop group activities that are appropriate for the clinical needs, abilities, and treatment plans of clients.
- Maintain appropriate therapeutic boundaries and ensure all activities support the client’s treatment goals.
- Monitor clients throughout activities and respond appropriately to behavioral, emotional, or safety concerns.
- Collaborate with therapists, medical staff, behavioral health technicians, and other members of the treatment team.
- Participate in treatment team meetings and communicate relevant observations regarding client progress and behavior.
- Complete timely and accurate clinical documentation, including group notes, progress notes, and other required documentation.
- Follow all facility policies, procedures, safety requirements, and clinical standards.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and applicable federal and state regulations.
- Assist with crisis intervention and de-escalation when necessary.
- Maintain appropriate equipment and ensure adventure/outdoor activities are conducted in a safe and organized manner.
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, supervision, and continuing education as required.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Recreation Therapy, Behavioral Health, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Experience working with individuals with substance use disorders, mental health conditions, or co-occurring disorders preferred.
- Experience facilitating therapeutic, recreational, experiential, or adventure-based groups preferred.
- Strong understanding of group dynamics and behavioral health principles.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and therapeutic relationships.
- Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
- Must be comfortable working outdoors and participating in physically active programming.
- Must be able to safely supervise clients during off-site and outdoor activities.
- Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain certification as required.
- Must meet all applicable background check and facility employment requirements.
The ideal candidate will be:
- Passionate about helping individuals achieve recovery and personal growth.
- Energetic, creative, and comfortable leading groups.
- Able to build rapport while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Calm and effective when managing challenging behaviors or emotional situations.
- Safety-conscious and able to assess risks during outdoor and experiential activities.
- Flexible and able to adapt activities to meet the needs of individual clients.
- A strong team player with excellent communication skills.
This position may require extended periods of standing, walking, hiking, bending, lifting, and participating in outdoor recreational activities. The employee must be able to safely supervise clients in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
Join a team dedicated to helping individuals build meaningful, sustainable lives in recovery. As an Adventure Group Therapist, you will have the opportunity to use creativity and experiential therapy to help clients develop practical recovery skills, strengthen relationships, and experience success outside of the traditional therapy setting.
