The first thing you should know is that wilderness therapy is also commonly referred to as a wilderness program or as an outdoor behavioral health program. All these terms refer to the same treatment. Wilderness treatment is an experiential therapy program set in a remote outdoors location or in the wilderness. Wilderness treatment promotes group interdependence as well as openness, honesty, awareness, accountability, and responsibility among program participants.

Wilderness treatment is most commonly prescribed for troubled youth. The wilderness provides a setting which removes them from the negative influences which caused the negative behavior and puts them in a safe and remote outdoor environment designed to help them recognized the things they've taken for granted and create a situation leading to self-examination. Professional therapists accompany the group and facilitate communication, cooperation, and sacrifice of self to contribute to the betterment of the group as a whole.

Wilderness treatments fall under a broader category of wilderness programs which can be described as in introduction to the wilderness where the wilderness itself acts as the therapist or as professional therapy that occurs in the wilderness. Wilderness treatment programs consist of structured and planned daily activities which include the wilderness as central to the treatment. This is what distinguishes wilderness treatment from other treatment options such as residential treatment centers or boarding schools which do not take place in the wilderness.

In its purest form, wilderness treatment serves as a growth experience in which troubled youth face and conquer the natural challenges of living in the wilderness a therapeutic treatment program. Wilderness treatment doesn't just take teens and throw them to the wolves so to speak to make them suffer. Rather the teens are put into a new environment removed from negative influences where they are challenged and encouraged to overcome obstacles to gain a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem.

The progress of wilderness program participants is frequently measured by a level system. Both hard skill and soft skills are measured. Hard skills are physical in nature such as building a campfire, cooking, or leading a hike. Soft skills are more along the lines of interpersonal and communication skills as well as accountability and leadership.

Wilderness treatment has proven very effective in changing the behavior of teens for the better. By removing them from the negative influences that result in self-destructive behavior and self-esteem. The wilderness treatment is designed as self-discovery journey.

Generally children become more open and communicative about their personal issues in an environment where they are surrounded by other teens suffering from the same problems. Relationships are developed and the participants realize they are not alone and help each other overcome their adversities. Many successful adults point to wilderness treatment as the biggest reason for their turnaround from troubled youth into happy, productive adults.