Therapy in action: Adventure Works uses outdoor experiences to help counsel youth

DeKALB – Lynette Spencer started Adventure Works in 2010 because she saw a need for a different type of counseling and therapy for children in the community.

On July 1, after 11 years serving as the organization’s executive director, Spencer handed over the reins to new director, Katie Watts. Spencer will continue her work with another organization she founded, Action Consulting and Therapy in Geneva and Hoffman Estates.

Adventure Works, 1211 Sycamore Road in DeKalb, is a nonprofit, interactive youth development and counseling agency that serves ages 26 and younger by providing individual, family and group counseling, as well as prevention and education services through adventure activities and adventure therapy.

“Some youth have a hard time reflecting about their day and their feelings in a traditional counseling setting,” Spencer said. “We offer ‘in vivo’ experiences, or in the moment. Our therapy is more partner-orientated and experiential than simply talking to an authority figure. By participating in activities, we can see behaviors and problem solving in action.”

The adventure therapy can take place at a myriad of different locations, including at local parks, nature preserves, Adventure Works’ new ropes course and on the property’s green space. Adventure Works is developing groups and expanding group offerings for the fall. Outdoor adventure-based team-building activities for businesses and organizations is also offered.

“You’d find similar adventure therapy programs offered in the mountains, but they’re very exclusive and expensive,” Spencer said. “Our goal is to offer adventure therapy to all youth. We do not turn anyone away based on their ability to pay.”

Group therapy was offered solely from 2010 to 2015, and when Adventure Works moved to its current location on Sycamore Road, it began to offer more individual and family therapy options.

“We’ve added more groups back in, and we’re hoping to go in the direction of offering more of a group focus,” Watts said. “There’s a magic that happens when children participate in a group. There’s a dynamic that occurs when they play together outside of a classroom or traditional therapy setting. It’s an authentic experience you can’t duplicate. There’s a fun aspect, but there’s also growth, communication and an accountable peer pressure and feedback that happens naturally.”

“As a therapist, it’s sometimes challenging to get youth to open up,” Spencer said. “When they’re participating in activities in a group setting, sometimes they forget they’re in therapy, they’re just completing tasks and challenges and having fun. The therapy is integrated around activities they enjoy, and that activity process is very important.”

Amy Lofthouse, Preschool for All Expansion director and student employment director at Northern Illinois University’s Child Development and Family Center, said that PFAE outsources Adventure Works as a mental health consultant. Adventure Works therapists visit PFAE’s facilities twice a week to work with children, families and teachers.

“Adventure Works incorporates play-based therapy, and it’s designed for children to play, which is what children do best,” Lofthouse said. “It’s a great way for them to get the help they need without knowing they’re getting it. It’s not the stereotypical therapy setting. It’s totally different from sitting on a couch and dumping out all your problems to one person.”

Lofthouse said another teacher at the center used the analogy of how Adventure Works’ play therapy is “the opposite of tricking kids to take medicine.”

“Instead of tricking them or forcing them, the kids do what comes naturally: play,” she said. “They’re doing something they’re comfortable and familiar with, and we’re giving them the medicine through something they like and enjoy. I wish more people knew of Adventure Works and how it really does work. We have a great partnership with them, and they’re an amazing asset to the community.”

Five of DeKalb resident Patty Ihm’s nine children have participated in Adventure Works adventure therapy programs over the past eight years.

“It took a while to find the best fit, especially for the boys, because they are very active,” Ihm said. “They’re always running and jumping and climbing. Adventure Works was the perfect fit. It just made sense. They were able to open up while doing activities. I know they always looked forward to what they were going to do, and it didn’t seem like therapy for them.”

Ihm credits Adventure Works’ therapists for “remarkable, positive changes” in her children.

“One son opened up and talked about school and issues he was having with peers, which he had never done before,” Ihm said. “It’s all thanks to the skill level of the therapists. They made all of my children feel comfortable and relaxed, like they could talk about anything.”

After her childrens’ success with Adventure Works, Ihm said they “will continue being a long-time client family.”

“It’s a great fit for us, and my children are happy,” Ihm said. “You can find something different there, out in nature step-by-step. It’s been an amazing adventure for us.”

For more information about Adventure Works, visit www.adventureworksdekalb.org or call 815-517-0825.