All kinds of Therapy were surveyed in March 2020 across 28 varied wilderness therapy programs to determine the average daily cost. this program is running in 14 different states and one other country.
The average estimated cost is currently $558. 00/per day with the enrollment fee which is $3194. This survey was first conducted in the summer of 2017, there has been a 9% increase in the daily cost and the enrollment fee has been hiked to 28%. It is recommended to carefully consider and investigate the details provided before making a final decision, as there is a great deal of nuance to the numbers and recommendations to help parents parse the data offered on all kinds of websites.
The field of wilderness therapy is constantly evolving and changing day to day, especially in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic where admission their admission guidelines are being adjusted regularly as CDC, WHO, and state licensing regulations shift frequently. However, keeping current students, field staff, and therapists safe while also responsibly accepting new clients is a top priority.
Out of the 28 programs surveyed in 2020, 16 of them are accredited by AEE. It is important to note that not every state requires licensing in Wilderness Therapy, especially for clients over 18 years old. Programs without a state license requirement typically adhere to guidelines but do not go through an onsite third-party evaluation.
How to pay for the Wilderness Therapeutic program:
If your troubled teens and young adults are acting out and conventional therapy and medication just have not been enough, exploring a therapeutic wilderness program could be the next step to save your adult from such alarming conditions. Before you start googling programs, take a look at your informative guide that includes not only the cost that the program may not disclose but along suggestions on how to afford these expensive interventions.
Providing support for troubled individuals is not free and is usually not affordable. Many savvy parents place their troubled adults in therapeutic wilderness programs by receiving financial aid to get help paying the cost.
Here are some things that can be a financial burden for parents who are considering the placement of troubled teens in therapeutic wilderness programs:
1. Therapeutic Wilderness Program:
These therapeutic programs range typically from 200 to 500 or more per day, and they typically run for 30 to 90 days. Additionally, many wilderness programs will charge an application upfront fee for gear and supplies, and some may have an application fee running into thousands of dollars. If they provide individual and group counselling, your insurance company might reimburse you a portion of your out-of-pocket expenses following discharge.
2. Case Management Educational Consultant/Enrollment fee:
Parents often obtain information about wilderness programs from case managers and consultants to get information regarding therapeutic programs. These professionals typically serve the parents directly and receive no financial compensation from wilderness therapeutic programs they recommend. Their charges range from $150/hr up to $10,000 per project, these professionals are compensated for facilitating placements and conducting an assessment before making the placement recommendation
3. Transportation:
When working with a case manager or educational consultant, they may encourage the use of a therapeutic transportation service if your child has a history of or is anticipated to act out upon learning about going to the program. These transport services help transition and transport troubled teens or young adults to a wilderness program when they are unwilling to cooperate with their parents' requests to go.
4. Total Cost:
With monthly costs ranging from $2500 to $10,000/month, these programs may look expensive to many people but if you figure out that an attorney costs $350/hour in the case of further legal issues involving your child, you may save the money in the long run.
Does Insurance Cover the Wilderness Therapy Program?
The extended response is that Wilderness treatment is becoming more cost-effective, and insurance is one of the ways this is happening. While most require families to commit to paying out of pocket, there have been notable advancements in insurance reimbursement.
This occurs through two main avenues, their model, and their license, the first method involves seeking reimbursement for the formal therapy aspect.
Several other wilderness therapy programs have observed families recover as much as $20,000 of the cost of treatment, because of the specialized nature of the treatment provided.
Why are Wilderness therapy programs expensive?
Programs offer full-time staff benefits and health insurance coverage to retain top-quality field employees in a demanding yet rewarding role. Staffing ratios are typically high, usually at 1:4, and can be even higher depending on the season or specific student behaviour.
Most states mandate that teens in wilderness therapy programs obtain a license. This regulation mandates that employees undergo annual certifications, receive specialized training, and ensure company management remains attentive to customer needs and regulatory requirements.
Many programs engage in longitudinal monitoring research initiatives and commit to adhering to and enhancing the best practices. Among these programs surveyed, 16 out of 28 are accepted by AEE, with more than two others in the accreditation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is wilderness therapy still around?
despite the allegations of abuse, mistreatment, and careless behavior portrayed by staff during the treatment some remain staunch proponents of the wilderness program, who attest to its effectiveness for their families.
2. Why do people go for wilderness therapy?
Many parents are struggling because of their troubles with teens, so to develop confidence, resistance, and self-awareness it is necessary to engage them in activities for the betterment of their future.
3. How many wilderness campuses are there in the US?
Approximately 26 campuses of wilderness therapy are currently running in the state of the US, although an earlier survey found 65 self-identified wilderness programs
