AEE Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group (TAPG)
This website is an evolving statement by AEE's Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group (TAPG) aimed at describing our professional group. It is an effort to bring about an open forum for discussion and learning that is representative of this field of practice. We invite a broad range of readers including practitioners, insurance companies, government monitors, other professional organizations, students, teachers, consumers, and the general public. We do not assume that our thoughts are inclusive of every application of adventure therapy across the world or even within the United States. Have Questions? Want more information? Email us at tapg@aee.org
JUMP TO: MISSION | PRE-CONFERENCE | WEBINAR SERIES | BEST PRACTICES | CERTIFICATIONS | COUNCIL | AWARDS
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TAPG Mission
The mission of the Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group is to engage practitioners in the development and promotion of adventure as a therapeutic approach.
TAPG Statement of Purpose
Therapeutic Adventure is the professional group for those AEE members who work within the fields of health, mental health, corrections, education, and other human service fields. Our primary purpose is to facilitate networking for professionals within our various fields and share information, techniques, and concerns regarding the therapeutic use of adventure. We define therapeutic as moving toward healthy change with intentional interventions. We represent the interests of this community to the Board and larger professional communities through workshops, conference and pre-conference activities, and best practices development.
Upcoming Events
TAPG Pre-Conference for the 2024 AEE International Conference
Nov. 12th & 13th, 2024 in Estes Park, Colorado
The Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group Pre-Con will be held November 12th & 13th, 2023 at the beautiful YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. We are excited to announce that the 2024 theme is “Preparing the Guide to Elevate". This pre-conference aims to encapsulate an immersive journey of self-discovery and skill enhancement for therapeutic adventure professionals aimed at elevating their participants' experiences. Through interactive workshops and experiential training, participants will delve into the intricacies of effective leadership development, risk management strategies, and therapeutic intervention integration. This Pre-Conference aims at Preparing the Guide to Elevate their participants' journeys, fostering connections, facilitating transformative growth, and ensuring safe and enriching adventures in the nature that surrounds us.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS! Due May 3, 2024 Please feel free to reach out with any questions to the conference convener, Marlene 'Marl' Reinert, directly at TAPG@aee.org
The AEE International Conference will immediately follow the Pre-Conference, November 14th - 16th, 2024.
Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group (TAPG) Webinar Series
About the Series: The Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group developed the annual webinar series to provide more opportunities for individuals interested in receiving additional training and education specific to working in adventure therapy and therapeutic adventure settings in a more accessible format. Each of these webinars offer two hours of training in the various core competencies required for certification as a Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist or a Certified Therapeutic Adventure Specialist. About the AEE Certification Program
See the full webinar series details & schedule here
Pricing per webinar:
- Non-Member: $15 for one webinar
- AEE Member or student: $10 for one webinar
BUNDLE: Register for the entire series & save!
- Non-Member: $120 for series
- AEE Member or student: $80 for series
Questions? Reach out to Jesy Cordle jesycordle@gmail.com
Adventure Therapy Best Practices
AEE's Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group(TAPG) has been engaged in efforts to produce a statement of best practice for adventure therapy (AT) since 2001, with writing beginning in 2007. TAPG has coordinated Adventure Therapy Best Practices conferences that have, and continue, to serve as catalysts for this effort. The intent of this effort is to identify, establish, and promote appropriate AT practices. The following is to be considered a working document in its attempt to provide preferred programming standards for the administration of adventure and wilderness therapy programs. This statement will reside on the TAPG website and be updated as the field grows in knowledge and understanding. Please click here to access the best practices document
Get Certified!
As the field of Adventure Therapy progresses forward, evolves and gains popularity, professionals from the wide variety of Adventure Therapy settings have come together to express an interest and a need for greater professionalism in Adventure Therapy. After the tremendous efforts of those involved in creating the Adventure Therapy Best Practices, and the advent of specific certification standards that meet the needs of Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council programs, a growing need for an adventure therapy certification became more and more apparent. Learn more about the AEE Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist (CCAT) & Certified Therapeutic Adventure Specialist Certifications here.
Meet The Leadership Council!
The Leadership Council structure affords the most representation of membership possible, supporting the community and mission and purpose of TAPG. The Council coordinates activities and provides direction for the professional group. Leadership Council members serve for a term of 3 years.
Christy Brock (she/her)
Alex White, MS, CMHC, CCAT (he/him)
I’m Alex White (he/him). I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist (CCAT) based in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am the Chair of the Leadership Council of the Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group, a small but mighty community of dedicated adventure therapy (AT) / therapeutic adventure (TA) enthusiasts from across the field. We represent different backgrounds, cultures, specializations, and areas of practice, and are committed to providing opportunities for learning and connection in this realm for which we are all so passionate. Thank you for your interest and involvement in the TAPG community!
Patrick McMillion
Marl Reinert, MSW, LCSW, CCAT (she/they)
Lindsay Myrick, MS, LCPC-S (she/they)
Deb Lehman
Jay Pepitone, MA, NCC, LPCC (he/him)
Jesy Cordle, PhD(c), LRT, CTRS, CCAT (she/her)
Erin Carpenter, MA, CTRS (she/her)
Tony Alvarez, LMSW (he/him)
TAPG Awards: Mark Ames Scholarship & Heart of Adventure Therapy
Heart of Adventure Therapy Award
The Heart of Adventure Therapy Award is given yearly to either an organization or an individual who embodies the heart of adventure therapy! The purpose of the award is to honor an individual, organization or program that provides exemplary adventure therapy services. This individual or organization should exhibit the mission and vision of the Association for Experiential Education, and should also employ TAPG’s Best Practices. TAPG members will nominate agencies they feel are deserving of the award and TAPG Leadership Council members will vote on this award. Nominations will be solicited in January each year from the Leadership Council.
2023 Heart of Adventure Therapy Award Winner: Katie Asmus
The TAPG Heart of Adventure Therapy Award (HOAT) was created in 2014 to honor and celebrate individuals and organizations that provide exemplary adventure therapy services. The winner of the HOAT award exhibits the mission and vision of the Association for Experiential Education, exercises TAPG’s best practices, and represents the heart and soul of our work. This year’s winner does all that and more! Please join us in celebrating Katie Asmus as this year’s 2023 Heart of Adventure Therapy Award!!!
The list of Katie’s accomplishments and contributions to the field are about as big as her smile as she graciously accepted the 2023 Heart of Adventure Therapy Award presented during this year’s Pre-Conference Halloween Social!
She has been a long standing member of the Association for Experiential Education and has been an essential part of the TAPG community since the very beginning. She has taught and trained hundreds of practitioners through her work at Naropa University, Prescott College, and the countless presentations, workshops, and trainings she has hosted over the years. Katie, we are grateful, not only for what you do, but how you do it, with so much love, joy, and compassion!
You can learn more about Katie and the work she is currently doing as the founder and director of the Somatic Wilderness Therapy Institute here.
Heart of Adventure Therapy Award Winners
2014 Red Top Meadows
Mark Ames Scholarship
Mark Ames was a model leader and community member to the Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group (TAPG) of AEE. He contributed much in his time with us, bringing the true heart of Adventure Therapy work to our personal and professional development efforts. TAPG awards the Mark Ames Memorial Scholarship to provide an opportunity to attend TAPG's Pre-Conference workshop to an individual who otherwise could not afford to attend.
Many TAPG members have been presented with national AEE awards. Please take a look at the list, and if you do not see someone's name there that should be, consider nominating someone for this year.
Michael Stratton Practitioner of the Year Award
2000 Lee Gillis
1998 Mike Gass
1997 Christian Bisson
2021 Federico A Borroel
2004 Christian Itin
1997 Project Adventure
2010 Kim Wasserburger