How We Gather Data: Thoughtful, Research-Based Wilderness Therapy
Trails Carolina continually analyses outcome data from our students and their parents who have participated in our wilderness therapy programs to allow us to better understand the efficacy of our program.
This outcome study was done in coordination with the Center for Research, Assessment, and Treatment Efficacy (CReATE; Asheville, NC) and the University of Arkansas. The results were collected independently from Trails Carolina’s involvement.
One of the more impactful portions of the outcome study was reviewing the way we do family work and what the impact of our program looks like a year after a family has graduated from Trails Carolina.
The independence of the study along with the transitional model used by Trails Carolina helps to legitimize the work done in the wilderness and provide evidence-based results for our methods.
98% of students continued to report significantly improved mental health 12 months after graduation
Our Outome Data
Decrease In
Suicidal Thoughts
79% of students reported experiencing an improvement in the severity of suicidal thoughts, 12 months after graduation.
Decrease in
Depression & Anxiety
91% of students reported experiencing continued improvement in depression and anxiety, 12 months after graduation.
Decrease In
ADHD Symptoms
83% of students reported an improvement in managing symptoms associated with ADHD, 12 months after graduation.
Does Wilderness Therapy Work? Our students & Families Say Yes
Trails Carolina has partnered with the Center for Research, Assessment, and Treatment Efficacy (CReATE; Asheville, NC) and the Arkansas Institute of Developmental Science to develop a research initiative, exploring the clinical presentation, therapeutic outcomes, and impact for youth and families involved in wilderness therapy programming.
Both students and parents reported significant changes in behavior and symptoms–in both the youth and the family–from enrollment at Trails to one full year after graduation.
12 months after graduation, 93% of students showed a decrease in rule-breaking behaviors
12 months after graduation, 96% of students showed a decrease in externalizing behaviors
Decrease In
Externalizing
96% of students reported experiencing a decrease in externalizing behaviors, 12 months after graduation.
Decrease In
Rule Breaking
93% of students reported experiencing a decrease in rule breaking behaviors, 12 months after graduation.
Decrease In
Disruptive Behavior
Only 1% of students showed signs of disruptive behaviors, 12 months after graduation.
Decrease In
Aggression
98% of students reported experiencing a decrease in aggressive behaviors, 12 months after graduation.
Academic Outcomes
School Functioning
12 months after graduation, only 17% of students showed school functioning issues.
Felt Excited
12 months after graduation, 87% of students felt excited about school.
School Refusal
12 months after graduation, only 4% of students showed signs of school refusal.
Adopted Student Outcomes
Anxiety
12 months after graduation, 93% of adopted students showed a decrease in anxious symptoms
Depression
12 months after graduation, 97% of adopted students showed a decrease in depressed symptoms
Aggression
12 months after graduation, 98% of adopted students showed a decrease in aggressive behaviors
Rule Breaking
12 months after graduation, 97% of adopted students showed a decrease in rule-breaking behaviors
Our Ongoing Research Initiative
This ongoing research initiative is assessing youth, parents, and families about a wealth of issues, including mental health symptoms, syndromes, and behavioral problems observed at four specific time periods:
- Upon admission to Trails Carolina
- At graduation from Trails Carolina
- Three months after graduation from Trails
- One year after graduation from Trails
The research initiative utilizes a variety of assessment tools, including the Treatment Outcome Package (TOP), the gold standard for measuring response to therapeutic interventions, and the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessments.
Get started today
Contact us today to learn how Trails Carolina can help your family
Trails saved my daughter’s life. Amanda is an amazing human and a brilliant therapist. I am so grateful to her, Science Steve, and the other wonderful people who could reach my daughter at a time when I could not.
Margot Lowman August 2022
Great life changing experience for our son. After becoming addicted to gaming during covid he was very depressed. At Trails he experienced the wilderness, Science Steve, learning survival skills and top notch therapy and support etc… I highly recommend! This gave our son and our family a renewed family bond full of love and excitement about his bright future.
Winnifred Wilson July 2022
Outstanding clinical work and superb staff! There’s a great culture at this company and it shows with how they engage with families/clients.
Kristin Brace June 2022