More than 70 leading world experts will participate in the European adventure therapy conference in Latvia!
Cluster news
For the first time in Latvia, nature and adventure therapy experts from all over the world will gather in a wide circle, coming to the European adventure therapy conference “Gathering for Adventure Therapy in Europe” (GATE), which will be held from 19-22 June at the Sigulda Palace.
The European Adventure Therapy Conference is organized every two years in one of the European countries. This year, GATE will be held for the fourth time, and it is a great honor for Latvia to be its host, because in this way the European adventure therapy community shows appreciation to our country, confirming its importance and great potential in the development of the industry. Such an event provides a unique opportunity for anyone interested in Latvia to get an insight into the field of adventure and nature therapy, which is especially important because theoretical and practical educational opportunities are limited both in Latvia and in Europe.
More than 70 experts from Europe, Canada, Australia, USA and other countries will present reports and practical master classes at the conference during four days, sharing their research results, programs, examples of good practice and methods to be used when working with patients and clients in the open air.
Unda Avota, occupational therapist, social worker and chairman of the board of the “Adventure Therapy Latvia” society, says that: “Adventure therapy experts work in a distinctly interdisciplinary environment, among them are mental health professionals, medical professionals, social workers, educators, experiential education trainers, young people employees, researchers, adventure activity instructors, etc. specialists who are united by a common understanding of how it is possible to significantly improve the psychosocial performance of individuals through purposeful activities in nature. Given that mental health is very current problem in our country as well, it is extremely important that we can gather such a wide circle of high-quality specialists and transfer their knowledge to our country’s specialists and interested parties as well.”
In many parts of the world, such as the USA, Australia, Great Britain, Norway, etc., adventure and nature-based interventions are a common therapeutic practice integrated into the range of publicly paid inpatient and outpatient health care, social rehabilitation, inclusive education and mental health prevention services. Research in the field of outdoor therapies shows that for specific target groups of patients/clients, for example young people at social risk or persons who have experienced traumatic events for a long time, the application of this type of methods tends to be very effective and sometimes more appropriate than traditional intervention approaches. Unfortunately, this type of services is available in Latvia in a very limited way, and in most cases – only in the short term and for own budget funds or temporarily financed projects.
Everyone interested is invited to expand their vision of the possibilities of promoting mental health and social well-being, to look for new pedagogical solutions, to strengthen team development or to understand how it is possible to gain deeper and greater added value from activities in nature.
At this event, everyone will be able to find topics and activities that interest them, from meditative archery, inclusive rock climbing and using natural elements to regulate the nervous system to working outdoors with war veterans, children with physical limitations or people with experiences of violence.
32 TIPs (further education points) are awarded to medical personnel for participating in the conference.
The conference is international, so its working language is English and translation will not be provided.
Read more about registration for the GATE conference and its program here!