Phases of Achievement

Phases of Achievement

Utilizing the backdrop of wilderness living and metaphor, your Second Nature therapist will guide you through the safest and most effective program in the country. Each phase of growth is marked by over-arching themes. You will receive a comprehensive packet with an explanation of the symbols: Earth, Fire, Water, and Air and how each relates to emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual growth. Augmented by individual treatment planning specific to you and your unique circumstances, you will participate in reading/writing assignments, daily group sessions, and in-the-moment wilderness therapy.

Earth Phase

Orientation and Compliance

After a medical physical and gear outfitting, you are introduced to your group. Welcomed in the field by caring Field Instructors, you are provided a peer mentor, specifically matched, to teach you about wilderness living. Utilizing positive peer culture and metaphor, you are welcomed with an Earth Phase Ceremony. This client-run ceremony is designed to introduce you to the program. The ceremony emphasizes the group safety, trust and accountability that will mark your wilderness experience.

The first few days in the field are for observation and reflection. On Earth Phase, you are in communication with staff and your peer mentor but remain separate from the group as a whole. This allows you to acclimate to your new physical and social environment, learn basic wilderness skills and interact with staff.  It is a time to simplify and take stock of the events and circumstances that led you to this point in your life.  During this initial phase, you are expected to meet basic safety and self-care expectations and comply with Field Instructor requests.

Fire Phase

Engagement and Accountability

The Fire Phase Ceremony introduces you into the group. During Fire Phase, the focus becomes accountability. Written assignments are complemented by experiential assignments like fire making by bow drill. Participation in daily groups, both formal and informal, benefits you through the effective modality of peer-to-peer teaching.

Wilderness research shows that one of the lasting effects on clients is their relationship with Field Instructors.  A designated staff member is assigned to mentor you throughout your stay, attend clinical sessions, and follow treatment plan updates created by your therapist, to ensure a seamless, comprehensive and effective treatment process and transition to the next phase.

Water Phase

Insight and Integration

At this stage, Field Instructors and other Water Phase clients create an individualized and personalized ceremony emphasizing the power of water to shape and change the earth, paralleling how insight and integration create lasting change.

On Water Phase, therapy begins to focus more intensely on your relationships with family or other supportive individuals in your life.  This phase may include phone calls and visits. Clients often become self-motivated during this phase, co-creating their treatment.  You become more active in mentoring others in the group and are seen by therapists, Field Instructors and peers as a positive leader and role model. Supervising and leading group activities, chores, and meal times are some of the responsibilities associated with Water Phase. Clients on Water Phase are expected to be active during group sessions, and in challenging and mentoring other clients.

Air Phase

Internalization and Leadership

With hard work, engagement, accountability, insight and integration, you may achieve Air Phase. Air Phase is awarded to clients who demonstrate an exceptional ability to experiment with greater autonomy and choice. You are exposed to more information about future events and planning while working through the challenge to remain present with objectives.