How Adventure Therapy Works? What Do We Need to Know?
This webinar examines an evolving conceptualisation of how adventure therapy facilitates change across diverse practice settings, informed by prior scholarship in the field. It presents a synthesised model of key mechanisms of change, emphasising experiential processes that may shape client outcomes. The presentation explores how these mechanisms intersect with practitioner training and program design. Recent findings on the preparation of adventure therapy providers are outlined, including core competencies, professional pathways, and emerging standards. Critical gaps in the current evidence base are identified, especially concerning training quality, implementation fidelity, and the translation of theory into practice. Finally, the webinar proposes priority areas for future research and conceptual refinement to strengthen adventure therapy as an ethically robust, evidence‑informed intervention.
About the Presenters
Dr Daniel Cavanaugh earned his MSW and PhD in Social Work from Michigan State University and has held faculty roles at Washington State University and the University of Washington. A clinical social worker, Daniel has substantial experience serving youth and families in community mental health, school, and adventure therapy settings. His research focuses on mental illness prevention, LGBTQ+ equity, and outdoor therapies. He directs the Wild Hearts program for at-risk youth and co-hosts the Outdoor Therapy Collective Podcast. He is active in the Association for Experiential Education and its accreditation standards review team.
Dr Will Dobud is an award-winning researcher and educator recognised for excellence in research, teaching, and crime prevention. Dr Dobud is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Charles Sturt University and an invited international speaker who conducts workshops for therapists and families worldwide. Will’s research focuses on improving therapy outcomes for teenagers and promoting safe, ethical practices.
