Program Overview

The Therapeutic Adventure Program offers two options for young people:

• Bush Adventure Therapy (BAT)

• Creative Arts Therapy (CAT)

Participants engage in meaningful 'therapeutic work' through direct involvement in nature-based and/or creative activities, which facilitates personal growth and healing in a dynamic environment.

 

Programs are person-centred and trauma-informed in approach.

 

Who Benefits

• Young people requiring intensive support/s

• Young people requiring therapeutic intervention/s

 

Also young people who

• Experience challenges with social confidence or emotional regulation

• Are disengaged from school and/or the community

• Have experienced trauma or demonstrate high-risk behaviours

• Thrive in hands-on, experiential learning environments

 

Program Caters for Young People

• Major Depressive Disorder

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder

• Social Anxiety Disorder

• Suicidal Ideation & Self-Harming behaviours

• Low social confidence

• Emotional regulation challenges

• Substance misuse

• Aggressive, high-risk behavior/s

• Family violence

• Trauma background

• In Out of Home Care

 

Program Aims

The Therapeutic Adventure Program supports young people to:

• Discover their potential

• Build resilience and confidence

• Develop helpful behaviours

• Promote protective life skills

​

Young people are supported to

• Strengthen emotional regulation and interpersonal skills

• Build independence in decision-making

• Engage meaningfully with peers

• Navigate life transitions with greater confidence

• Develop strategies for personal safety, wellbeing, and goal-setting

 

Mental Health Staff

TAP programs are delivered by experienced, university qualified counsellors. GOTYA offer both male and female therapists. GOTYA counsellors are registered with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia  (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

 

Mental Health Officers provide valuable support in the TAP. These staff hold relevant mental health qualifications and work under the direct supervision of a Registered Counsellor.

​

Groupings

Sessions run with 1-2 young people, depending on needs.

Individual sessions are available.

 

Bush Adventure Therapy

Overview

Bush Adventure Therapy (BAT) offers a unique form of counselling that unfolds in the great outdoors. This method

follows the traditional therapeutic framework, but distinguishes itself by integrating the counselling process with active, outdoor adventures. Young people engage in meaningful 'work' through direct involvement in outdoor-based activities, which facilitates personal growth and healing in a dynamic environment.​

 

Activities

GOTYA customise the program based on the needs and interests of the young person.

Outdoor adventure activities can include:

• Fishing, kayaking, swimming, river tubing

• Canoeing

• Mini Golf

• Campfire cooking

• 4WDing

• Walking

• Mountain Bike riding

​

Creative Arts Therapy

Overview

Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) is an approach to mental health and well-being that uses artistic processes as a primary medium for exploration, expression, and healing. It integrates creativity with psychological theory and clinical practice to help individuals understand themselves, cope with distress, and develop new coping strategies.

 

Creative Arts Therapy Activities

GOTYA customise the program based on the needs and interests of the young person.

Creative activites can include:

• Painting

• Drawing

• Collage

• Photography

• Ceramics

• Journalling

• Scrapbooking

• Printmaking

 

Location
Creative Arts Therapy is offered from The Studio, Drouin or the GOTYA Centre, Moe.

​

Referrals

GOTYA  accept referrals from:​​

• Parents/carers

• DFFH staff

• DOJCS Youth Justice Worker

• Victoria Police Youth Resource Officers

• Community Youth Workers

• Psychiatrists

• GPs

• Pediatricians

• Psychologists & Counsellors

• Social Workers

• Allied Health Workers

• Parents

• Authorised School staff

 

All referrals are completed via the GOTYA Portal. To request a referral, please access the referrals page.

​

Program Handbook

Please download further information below:

Therapeutic Adventure Program