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Adventure Therapy

Dr. Christine Norton, LCSW, Associate Professor of Social Work and Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center Research Scientist, is once again teaching her MSW elective, Adventure Therapy: Theory, Research and Practice. This hybrid class won an award for one of the best online classes on campus, and has no need of a classroom. Instead, students meet at the ropes course, on the river, at the trailhead, at the rock wall, etc. for experiential lessons in how to use adventure-based group work to help individuals, families and groups heal and grow. Dr. Norton’s Adventure Therapy elective has also been deemed a service-learning class, as Dr. Norton has developed a relationship with the San Marcos Housing Authority’s Poder Center. In partnership with the Outdoor Rec department at Texas State, students in Dr. Norton’s AT class help facilitate adventure-based activities for elementary school youth living in public housing. These activities have been shown to enhance positive youth development and self-efficacy among participants.

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