Wilderness therapy is a personal growth experience where individuals are presented with natural consequences and challenges that are designed to be therapeutic in nature. At Soltreks, the wilderness environment or remote outdoor setting offers the following components that support the development of personal growth, awareness of self-defeating behaviors, and opportunity for change:

Primary staff has a Master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Counseling, Social Work or Education. Bachelor and Master level instructors who have diverse educational and experiential backgrounds guide our students. They are certified in Wilderness First Responder, EMT, and CPR and have extended experience as outdoor leaders. The primary qualification Soltreks seeks in staff is their ability to engage children and develop relationships. Soltreks has several professional advisors providing additional support with therapeutic, medical, nutritional, and program needs.

There is no evidence of staff to student relationships failing at Soltreks particularly when paired on a One-on-One trek. Common issues in relationship development, communication skills and problem solving are presented while students participate in the structure and support needed for creating, nurturing, and respecting relationships. If there are disagreements, students/staff are expected to problem solve and communicate as they would within the group setting.

Teenagers range in age 13-17 and young adults are 18-25. Programs are also available for older adults. Groups are single gender and any age group may participate in a One-on-One trek. Many students enroll with issues of self esteem, loss, depression, attention challenges, motivation, and making transitions. They are often unsuccessful in their current therapy, academic setting, or at home. Poor choices in friends, distant family relationships and isolation are often described as concerned behaviors. Students begin their trek on Day 1 and camp the entire trek using quality group gear. Should weather conditions warrant, a small cabin is made available for interim shelter.

The Soltreks team consists of Directors, Clinical Supervisor, Master’s level licensed therapists, LGSW, CTRS, wilderness instructors and consultation available by a licensed clinical psychologist and medical advisor (MD). The wilderness instructors are the heart of our program as they bring their creativity and experience to support the students’ process. Individual and group counseling is presented through a variety of therapies including experiential activities, art, and transpersonal psychology. Our therapeutic delivery is truly a TEAM approach.

Family involvement is essential for long term results. Experience shows that when a family is engaged in a positive way in their child's healing, the child's chance of a positive outcome and long term success is greatly magnified. For that reason, our programs address the whole family; parents depart feeling that "We all went to Soltreks." Soltreks provides weekly progress reports by way of computer e-mail and telephone conference calls (Some treks may conclude with a family telephone conference.) These reports keep parents informed and involved in their child's progress, and keep the lines of communication open between staff and parents. Parents are expected to participate in weekly conferencing with the directors and field therapist; to write letters and timely focused assignments; and to take part in workshops, on site family sessions, experiential activities with their child, and in the graduation ceremony. Siblings are encouraged to participate as appropriate. An emphasis on family involvement is one reason that Soltreks has a well-earned reputation for going the extra mile.

The following services are included in the program: Individualized planning, group gear, orientation, parent workshops, and weekly sessions with a therapist, family therapy session, parent conferences, aftercare planning and coordination. Tuition also supports well qualified staff with years of experience, small groups, high staff to student ratio, a well planned curriculum with therapist involvement, and an honest, open and willing environment. A scholarship fund is established for students who might otherwise be unable to attend the program.

Soltreks helps students and parents carefully create plans and contingency plans for aftercare decisions relating to peer influence, family relationships, employment, school, activities, personal growth opportunities and pre-planned strategies for anticipated mistakes. Soltreks assists parents, educational consultants, and other professionals to make the best choice for a student’s next educational/personal growth placement if needed. Whether the student returns home or continues his or her progress away from home, we continue to support the child and family. This support ranges from phone calls to email communications to visits. Students alumni return as student leaders, and an occasional customized trek. Families are encouraged to participate in a family trek once their child has graduated to enhance specific family goals. Students and families are always welcomed back!

Soltreks has a 97% completion rate. Soltreks is committed to continuous program improvement as we assess the clinical outcomes of our students utilizing the Youth Outcome Questionnaire (YOQ) and the Brief Family Assessment Measure (Brief FAM). These are administered prior to and upon completion of a trek, and several months following graduation. As a member of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Industry Council, Soltreks participates in tracking the progress of students as part of an outcome study on the efficacy and process of wilderness therapy.