Adventure Therapy in Utah
Adventure therapy at Corner Canyon Health Centers uses structured outdoor and experiential activities to help adults process trauma, build resilience, and reconnect with themselves in ways traditional talk therapy alone cannot always reach.
A 2025 meta-analysis of more than 2,000 participants found that adventure therapy meaningfully reduces anxiety symptoms.
At our Draper, Utah location, set in a beautiful landscape, that means real trails, real challenges, and real clinical support.
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What Is Adventure Therapy?
Adventure therapy is a clinically supervised approach that uses structured outdoor and physically engaging experiences to support psychological growth.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, which depends on verbal processing in an office setting, adventure therapy works through the whole person, body, mind, and nervous system. It places clients in situations that require them to respond, adapt, and connect with others.
In practice, adventure therapy surfaces the same emotional patterns that drive anxiety, trauma responses, and relationship struggles. Outdoor, physically engaging environments make these patterns visible in real time, with a trained clinician present to help you or your loved one work through them as they happen.
At Corner Canyon Health Centers, adventure therapy might look like a guided hike in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains or a team-based challenge course. The specific activity matters less than what it asks of the person doing it.
Adventure Therapy Supports:
- Emotional regulation: Managing discomfort, frustration, and fear as they arise, not just in theory
- Trust and connection: Building connection with others through a shared physical challenge that talk alone does not always reach
- Confidence: Rewiring the belief that discomfort means failure by completing something difficult firsthand
- Trauma processing: Reaching, through somatic and body-based experience, what verbal processing sometimes cannot
- Self-awareness: Picking up on real-time feedback from the environment and the group that makes familiar patterns harder to hide.
Adventure Therapy at Corner Canyon Health Centers
At Corner Canyon, adventure therapy is built into your clinical treatment plan, not offered as an extra. It works alongside Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.
Trail and Mountain-Based Experiences
Draper sits at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, and clients use that setting directly in treatment. Guided hikes are facilitated by clinical staff, so the physical challenge of the trail is tied back to your emotional and behavioral goals before, during, and after each outing.
Group Challenge and Team-Based Activities
Structured team-building exercises ask clients to communicate, collaborate, and rely on each other. These dynamics mirror the ones clients face at home, at work, and in their communities.
Who Is Adventure Therapy Good For?
At Corner Canyon, we offer residential treatment, a Partial Hospitali
- Struggle to access emotion or vulnerability in traditional talk therapy settings
- Carry trauma that shows up in the body as numbness, hypervigilance, or difficulty relaxing
- Have tried treatment before without feeling fully engaged in the process
- Are motivated by physical challenge and structure but have never applied that drive to their own recovery
- Want to rebuild trust and connection alongside others working through similar struggles
Affordable, Affirming Care
Corner Canyon accepts most major insurance plans along with private payment options. Verification is fast, confidential, and obligation-free, so cost doesn’t stand between you and care that treats the whole you.
We do not accept Medicare or Medicaid
Frequently Asked Questions
What is adventure therapy, and how does it differ from traditional therapy?
Adventure therapy is a clinically supervised modality that uses structured outdoor and physically engaging activities to support emotional and psychological growth. Unlike traditional talk therapy, it engages the body and the surrounding environment as part of treatment. At Corner Canyon, it is built into each client’s full clinical program, not offered as a standalone activity.
Is adventure therapy evidence-based?
Yes. Research links adventure therapy to meaningful improvements across self-esteem, behavioral functioning, and related clinical measures, with recent studies also showing reductions in anxiety symptoms specifically. Corner Canyon integrates it as one part of a broader, clinically supervised treatment plan.
Do I need to be physically fit to participate?
No. Activities are adapted to each client’s individual ability and clinical needs. The goal is psychological engagement, not physical performance, so clients at any fitness level can participate and benefit from adventure therapy.
Is adventure therapy covered by insurance?
Corner Canyon accepts most major insurance plans. We do not accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Adventure therapy is part of the integrated clinical program and is typically included under a client’s benefits. Our admissions team can verify specific coverage before you arrive.
Sav Headden
My experience at Corner Canyon to put it simply, was life changing. The program gave me a structure to set a solid foundation for my life outside of treatment. The people that are involved with Corner Canyon are amazing. From the staff, to the clients, these people quickly began to feel like family. This place felt like home to me. I truly was cared for in a way that I had never been before. I can honestly say that in the 62 days I was there I didn’t have a single bad day, and that to me speaks volumes. I’m grateful to have had the experience that I did. To anyone who is looking for help – I would heavily recommend going to Corner Canyon.
Jordan Brown
I arrived at Corner Canyon during the worst depressive episode of my life. I had no hope and felt disconnected from everything. I’m a therapist, and I had been doing all the “right” things to care for myself. But sometimes self-care is simply not enough.
Corner Canyon met me where I was and crawled with me until I could walk again. Literally. One mentor sat on the floor beside my bed and talked to me when I didn’t yet have the strength to regularly go out into the common areas. Another mentor coaxed stories out of me and excitedly shared them with other staff. He reminded me of how much time I had spent serving others and made sure I knew how valuable my service had been. Little by little, connections with staff and clients helped my find myself again.
Because, above all else, Corner Canyon was where I rediscovered the power of human connection. Yes, the treatment was top-notch. Yes, the food served was beyond delicious and healthy. But it was the way in which the treatment was provided, the food was served, and the connections were forged that made all the difference.
Specific techniques treated my depression, but so did the stories of healing and recovery told by therapists, house staff, and other clients. Healers have often been wounded at one point in their lives.
There’s a lot of stigma attached to mental illness, even, sadly, among mental health providers. I was worried I was going to be looked down upon. But what makes Corner Canyon so special is that you will get to know your pain in a welcoming, non-judgmental space. All kinds of people go to Corner Canyon for treatment. And that’s because the treatment center is grounded in acceptance and professionalism.
At Corner Canyon, you will come to realize the power of vulnerability, the healing that comes from meaningful connection, and the love that binds us all together.
Dominique Suazo
When I came to Corner Canyon I was lost. I was 31 years old, struggling with addiction issues and my own mental health, and didn’t know which way to turn. I was very fortunate to land here. Through the help of some people who loved and cared about me, they got me in the doors of this wonderful program.
I was nervous at first, but I soon realized I was amongst peers who were feeling and going through the same things, which put me at ease. I was surrounded by staff who themselves had been through their own treatment and had such compassion and support for me and my well-being.
The Clinical team is wonderful and they are all highly trained experts. They practice many different modalities and with that they were able to get to the core of my issues to treat both my trauma, and subsequently my substance abuse. They did this with such grace, compassion, and empathy, that I always felt they had my best care in mind.
I could write forever about how this place changed my life, but the reality is that there would never be enough words. This program, it’s wonderful staff, and the people who come here make this place more than just a rehabilitation center. It’s a home. I found myself here, I found my tribe, and I was able to unlock decades worth of trauma that led me to a life I didn’t want to lead. After coming here I found the life I always wanted, and it started at Corner Canyon.
Angel Warrior 68
Corner Canyon has put together an excellent residential program. I need a comprehensive program that addressed my health and mental health with cutting edge treatment — they exceeded my expectations. With the continuum of health, mental health, and wellness services offered – they truly individualized my treatment plan. They have an excellent, well-trained staff that genuinely care. I wish I had found them 5, 10 years ago it would have saved me a lot of heart ache. I feel ALOT better than I have felt in sometime and as I continue to take care of myself, I am confident I will be an even better version of myself. Michelle Feb-Mar 2023
Amber Litz
So it doesn’t sound so cliche I won’t say this place saved my life. But I will say this place saved my future!! There are no descriptive words that exist that hold enough volume to describe how extraordinarily phenomenal this place is! They get it, they listen! It kind of feels like the beginning of an awesome horror movie when you first get there cause everyone is so nice, kind, and caring you’re waiting for the ball to drop. Then you realize they are truly that kind & caring! (I have severe trust issues) I never thought I could ever get better so there was no point in going for help because I have been through so much trauma that there wasn’t any facility out there that could handle the magnitude and complex trauma I have endured. However I was wrong! The mentors, I seriously will never be able to thank them enough for listening to my emotional babble some days & they never made me feel like they needed to run off & do the other work they had to do or nothing! Liz & Dom the two on the front line that you only really interact with when you’re checking in. They deserve a lot of recognition & praise that I don’t think they get very often! The fact I struggle with anxiety & answering my phone most days fills me with dread & fear even though I’m the one who emailed the treatment center that was on my caller ID I still froze & couldn’t answer & felt dumb for even reaching out for help. Then the debilitating depression & shame would set in cause I didn’t pick up the phone would set in & I would get so angry at myself! It was a vicious cycle! Up until the day Liz text me & she never left me alone (haha I’m forever grateful for that) it was like chatting with a new friend. After her portion of the admissions process was done I was passed off to Dom, who again never left me alone! The ease & friendly chatting made it easier to commit to checking in. And I did it, I went to Corner Canyon & checked in & it was by far the best thing I’ve ever done for myself! The first week I was there Adam who is a mentor there (I won’t elaborate but…) did something for me that I’ve never had anyone do for me, that was thought of me. I always take care of everyone in my life & make sure they have what they need & they’re okay before myself. Usually not leaving time for myself. But for the first time in 46 years someone thought of me first. It was such a small gesture, but will forever make a monumental impact in my life. That day sealed my fate! I could stay at Corner Canyon, I could complete the program! They really did care! I have so much more to say about every single person there! But this is supposed to be a review, not a novel of my life so I will end this by saying, what you got to lose?! I can 100% guarantee that your worst day at Corner Canyon will still be 10 times easier than your worst day before you got there!
breanne motta
Wow, Corner Canyon Health Centers truly changed my life. I truly entered with not a thought of wanting to live, and I left today and I have SO many reasons now. The staff goes out of their way to not only connect with you, but care for you. They are amazing at taking feedback and truly care about the experience their clients have. You truly do become a family, the community I met while in CCHC will always be with me. I know I made the right choice coming to CCHC they truly saved my life in more ways than one. I couldn’t thank them properly even if I tried. CCHC is the right next step, I promise you will not regret it.
Michael Coyne
Unfortunately after a few days my mom went south quickly and I had to leave. AWESOME STAFF AND FACILITY, area is beautiful. Hard to leave. Highly recommend this facility. From Liz to the therapists to the medical and house staff! 11/10
Heather Colemere
Corner Canyon helped changed my trajectory in life. I was headed for disaster . Corner Caynon helped me see that I had more potential than I could ever see for myself. Chris assisted me with Ketamine assisted therapy and he helped me transorm my mindset from negative to positive. I’m so grateful for all Corner Canyon for helping me find myself again!
Emma Dimetrosky
I spent 30 days at corner canyon and overall had a great experience. There was an amazing group of clients and we all got so close which was really added to my experience. Some highlights were Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights, we would do a really engaging activity. I always looked forward to getting out of the house and doing the activities.
The process groups were also really worthwhile and helpful. The process groups were a safe place for clients to share and be vulnerable. I also learned a lot during the second half of groups where they would teach us some skills. The group of staff is amazing too. They are all so sweet and supportive. All the staff really helped make it a better experience. I left with so many new skills and it a significantly better place. The house made it like a really homey safe space. I’d highly recommend this program.