Abstract
Adventure-based counseling approaches that have evolved from experiential education methods are increasingly being used to assist individuals and groups facing cancer and other serious illnesses. These programs are utilized to increase participants' sense of self-efficacy, enhance group members' problem-solving and communication skills, and foster a sense of mutual trust and support. Health and mental health professionals can benefit from training in experiential education methods because they may refer clients to these programs as an adjunct to traditional therapies. They may also find that experiential education methods are useful in helping existing groups in their health care settings achieve participants' learning and problem-solving goals. Interdisciplinary teams can also benefit through enhanced communication, problem solving, and cohesion promoted in adventure-based programs. This article reviews relevant literature on experiential education and describes the application of experiential and adventure-based methods by professionals working with cancer survivors.
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