Our Program

“Excellent, I worked really hard to find out who I was, and did better than I planned. I plan on coming back to Second Nature when I am old enough to become a strong, assertive, helpful staff member.”

Second Nature Entrada Adult Client, Maine

Second Nature Entrada for Adults emphasizes assessment and intervention, with attention to behavioral stability, accountability and preparation for long-term health and treatment. Second Nature Entrada for Adults utilizes a dual diagnosis approach to working with adults in the wilderness. The program uses clinical and 12-step methodology in order to treat the whole person, with groups led by licensed Masters or Doctorate level clinicians. Second Nature Entrada for Adults believes that each client has the power to heal. The program provides a challenging, emotional, mental, social and physical experience with regular feedback and communication focused on identifying the positive and constructive areas of each client's life.

Field instructors spend one-on-one time throughout the day and night with clients providing guidance with individual work and facilitating multiple group sessions each day. Groups work together to provide feedback and support, often providing insight into each client's ability to manage relationships in his/her life. The program creates a healthy microcosm with appropriate structure, boundaries, feedback, relationships and challenges. Within this structure, clients begin to examine experiences, behaviors, relationships and the internal processes and coping strategies they have utilized in the past.

Therapists and Field Instructors work closely together as a treatment team to guide the daily clinical process of the group. Family work is an important part of the program, as often, life’s problems involve not only the individual, but family and community as well. Weekly phone calls are made to the family and/or identified support individuals in the client’s life.

Hard Skills, Soft Skills, Therapy Assignments

The Second Nature Journey Packet each client carries contains therapist assignments, staff assignments and sections for personally tailored assignments. Hard skill assignments are experientially based and include bow drill fires, shelter building, and low-impact camping. Soft skills are reading, writing, and clinical in nature. Soft skills include communication skills training, compliance and respect toward others, letter writing and group therapy participation.