Bibliography
For specific questions about these publications feel free to contact specific authors/research scientists (contact)
or for additional resources feel free to contac the OBH Center at obhcenter@gmail.com.

Overviews of OBH & Adventure Therapy
Becker, S., & Russell, K. C. (2016). Wilderness therapy for adolescents. In, R. J. R. Levesque (Ed.), Encyclopedia of
adolescence (2nd ed.). New York: Springer Books.
Bettmann, J. E., Gillis, H. L., Speelman, E. A., Parry, K. J., & Case, J. M. (2016). A Meta-analysis of Wilderness Therapy Outcomes
for private pay clients. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(9), 2659-2673.
Bettmann, J., Tucker, A., Tracy, J., & Parry, K. (2014). An exploration of gender, client history and functioning in wilderness therapy
participants. Residential Treatment for Children and Youth, 31(3), 155-170. doi:10.1080/0886571X.2014.943554
Bettmann, J.E., Lundahl, B.W., Wright, R.A., Jasperson, R.A., & McRoberts, C. (2011). Who are they? A descriptive study
of adolescents in wilderness and residential programs. Residential Treatment for Children and Youth, 28 (3), 198-210.
Bowen, D., & Neill, J. (2013). A meta-analysis of adventure therapy outcomes and moderators. The Open Psychology Journal,
6, 28- 53.
Gass, M. A., Gillis, H. L. (Lee), & Russell, K. C. (2012). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and practice. New York:
Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
Gass, M., Tucker, A. R., & Karoff, M. (2015). 1999: History of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Cooperative (OBHRC).
In W. White (Ed.), Stories from the field: A history of wilderness therapy (pp. 119-126). Jackson, NH: Wilderness Publishers.
Gillis, H.L., Gass, M.A., & Russell, K.C. (2014). Adventure therapy with groups. In J. DeLucia Waack, C. Kalodner, & M. Riva (Eds),
The Handbook of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy (2nd Ed.)(pp. 560-570). Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Gillis Jr, H. L., Speelman, E., Linville, N., Bailey, E., Kalle, A., Oglesbee, N., ... & Jensen, J. (2016). Metaanalysis
of Treatment Outcomes Measured by the Y-OQ and Y-OQ-SR Comparing Wilderness and Nonwilderness
Treatment Programs. Child & Youth Care Forum, 45(6), 851-863.
Norton, C.L., Tucker, A., Russell, K., Bettmann, J., Gass, M., Gillis, L, & Behrens, E. (2014). Adventure therapy with youth. Journal
of Experiential Education, 37(1), 46 - 59. doi: 10.1177/1053825913518895.
Norton, C.L. (2011). Wilderness therapy: Creating a context of hope. In C.L. Norton (Ed.), Innovative interventions in child and
adolescent mental health (pp. 66-140). New York: Routledge.
Norton, C.L. (2013). Creating group norms around the campfire: Adventure based group work with adolescents. In L. Grobman & J.
Clements (Eds.), Riding the mutual aid bus and other adventures in group work: A Days in the Lives of Social Workers collection. Harrisburg, PA: The New Social Worker
Norton, C.L., Carpenter, C. & Pryor, A. (2015). Adventure therapy around the globe: International perspectives and diverse
approaches. Champaign, IL: Common Ground Publishing.
Russell, K. C. (2000). Exploring how the wilderness therapy process relates to outcomes. Journal of Experiential Education, 23,
170-176.
Russell, K. C. (2001). What is wilderness therapy? Journal of Experiential Education, 24, 70- 79.
Russell, K. C. (2003). A nation-wide survey of outdoor behavioral healthcare programs for adolescents with problem behaviors.
Journal of Experiential Education, 25, 322-331.
Russell, K. C. (2006). Brat camps, boot camps, or….? Exploring wilderness therapy program theory. Journal of Adventure
Education and Outdoor Learning, 6, 51-67.
Russell, K. C., Gillis, H. L., & Lewis, T. G. (2008). A five-year follow-up of a nationwide survey of outdoor behavioral healthcare
programs. Journal of Experiential Education, 31, 55-77.
Tucker, A. R. (2009). Adventure-based group therapy to promote social skills in adolescents. Social Work with Groups, 32(4), 315-
329.
Tucker, A., Norton, C., Itin, C., Hobson, J., & Alvarez, M.A. (2016). Adventure therapy: Non deliberative group therapy in action,
Social Work with Groups, 39(2-3), 194-207. doi: 10.1080/01609513.2015.1048416
OBH’s Impact on Mental Health in Youth
Bettmann, J., Clarkson Freeman, P., & Parry, K., (2015). Differences between adopted and non-adopted adolescents in wilderness
and residential treatment. The Journal of Experiential Education, 38, 245-261. doi:10.1177/1053825915569056.
Bettmann, J.E., Russell, K.C., & Parry, K.J. (2012). How substance abuse recovery skills, readiness to change and
symptom reduction impact change processes in wilderness therapy participants. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 22(8), 1039-1050. doi: 10.1007/s10826-012-9665-2.
Combs, K. M., Hoag, M., Javorski, S., & Roberts, S. (2016). Adolescent self-assessment of an Outdoor Behavioral Health program:
longitudinal outcomes and trajectories of change. Journal of Child and Family Studies. doi: 10.1007/s10826-016-0497-3
Combs, K. M. (2016). What does it take to get post-discharge data? Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 8(1), 18-23.
DeMille, S. M. & Burdict, M. (2015). A theoretically anchored and multi-modal treatment approach in an Outdoor Behavioral
Healthcare program. Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 7, 19-30.
Gillis Jr, H. L., Speelman, E., Linville, N., Bailey, E., Kalle, A., Oglesbee, N., Sandlin, J., Thompson, L., & Jensen, J. (2016). Meta-
analysis of treatment outcomes measured by the Y-OQ and Y-OQ-SR: Comparing wilderness and non-wilderness treatment programs. Child & Youth Care Forum. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10566-016-9360-3
Hoag, M. J., Combs, K. M., & Roberts, S. D. (2016). Pushing beyond outcome: What else changes in wilderness therapy? Journal of
Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 8(1), 45-56.
Lewis, S. F. (2013). Examining changes in substance use and conduct problems among treatment‐seeking adolescents. Child and
Adolescent Mental Health, 18(1), 33-38.
Magle-Haberek, N., Tucker, A., & Gass, M. (2012). The effects of program differences within wilderness therapy and residential
treatment center (RTC) programs. Residential Treatment for Children and Youth, 29(3), 202-218. doi: 10.1080/0886571X.2012.697433.
Massey, K., Hoag, M., Roberts, S., & Javorski, S. (2016). A multilevel model to examine adolescent outcomes in Outdoor Behavioral
Healthcare: The parent perspective. Child and Youth Care Forum, 45, 353- 365.
Norton, C.L. (2008). Understanding the impact of wilderness therapy on adolescent depression and psychosocial development.
Illinois Child Welfare, 4(1), 166-178.
Norton, C.L. (2010). Into the wilderness—A case study: The psychodynamics of adolescent depression and the need for a holistic
intervention. Clinical Social Work Journal, 38(2), 226-235. doi: 10.1007/s10615-009-0205-5.
Norton, C.L. (2010). Exploring the process of a therapeutic wilderness experience: Key therapeutic components in the treatment of
adolescent depression and psychosocial development. Journal of Therapeutic School and Program, 4(1), 24-46.
Russell, K. C. (2002). Does outdoor behavioral healthcare work? A review of studies on the effectiveness of OBH as an intervention
and treatment. Journal of Therapeutic Camping, Summer/Fall, 2, 5-12.
Russell, K. C. (2003). Assessing treatment outcomes in outdoor behavioral healthcare using the Youth Outcome Questionnaire.
Child and Youth Care Forum. 32, 355-381.
Russell, K. C. (2005). Preliminary results of a study examining the effects of outdoor behavioral healthcare treatment on levels of
depression and substance use frequency. Journal of Experiential Education, 27, 305-307.
Russell, K. C. (2005). Two years later: A qualitative assessment of youth-well-being and the role of aftercare in outdoor behavioral
healthcare treatment. Child and Youth Care Forum, 34, 209-239.
Russell, K. C. (2008). Adolescent substance-use treatment: Service delivery, research on effectiveness, and emerging treatment
alternatives. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 2(2-4), 68-96.
Russell, K. C. & Farnum, J. (2004). A concurrent model of the wilderness therapy process. Journal of Adventure Education and
Outdoor Learning, 4, 39-55.
Russell, K. C., & Phillips-Miller, D. (2002). Perspectives on the wilderness therapy process and its relation to outcome. Child and
Youth Care Forum, 31, 415-437.
Russell, K. C. & Sibthorp, J. (2004). Hierarchical linear modeling of treatment outcomes in outdoor behavioral healthcare. Journal
of Experiential Education, 27, 176-191.
Tucker, A., Smith, A., & Gass, M. (2014). The impact of presenting problems and individual client characteristics on treatment
outcomes in residential and wilderness treatment programs. Residential Treatment for Children and Youth, 31(2), 135-153.
Tucker, A. R., Zelov, R., & Young, M. (2011). Four years along: Emerging traits of programs in the NATSAP Practice Research
Network (PRN). Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 5(1), 10-28.
White, D. D., Caulkins, M., & Russell, K. C. (2006). The role of physical exercise in wilderness therapy for troubled adolescent
women. Journal of Experiential Education, 29, 18-37.
Zelov, R., Tucker, A. R., & Javorksi, S. (2013). A new phase for the NATSAP PRN: Post-discharge reporting and transition to the
network wide utilization of the Y-OQ 2.0. Journal of Therapeutic Schools & Programs, 6(1), 7-19.
OBH’s Impact on Mental Health in Young Adults
Hoag, M. J., Massey, K. M., Roberts, S., (2014). Dissecting the wilderness therapy client: Examining clinical trends, findings, and
industry patterns. Journal of Experiential Education, 37(4), 382-396.
Hoag, M. J., Massey, K. E., Roberts, S. D., & Logan, P. (2013). Efficacy of wilderness therapy for young adults: A first look. Journal
of Residential Treatment for Children and Youth, 30, 294-305.
Roberts, S., Stroud, D., Hoag, M. J., Massey, K. (In press). Outdoor behavioral healthcare: A longitudinal assessment of young adult
outcomes. Journal of Counseling and Development.
Roberts, S., Stroud, D., Hoag, M. J., & Combs, K. M. (2016). Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare: Client and treatment characteristics
effects on young adult outcomes. Journal of Experiential Education. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/1053825916655445
Russell, K. C., Gillis, H. L., & Heppner, W. (2016). An examination of mindfulness-based Experiences through adventure in
substance use disorder treatment for young adult males: A Pilot Study. Mindfulness, 7, 320-328. doi:10.1007/s12671-015- 0441-4
Attachment and OBH
Bettmann, J.E. (2007). Changes in adolescent attachment relationships as a response to wilderness treatment. Journal of the
American Psychoanalytic Association, 55 (1), 259-265
Bettmann, J.E, Demong, E., & Jasperson, R.A. (2008). Treating adolescents with attachment and adoption issues in wilderness
therapy settings. Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 8(1), 117-138.
Bettmann, J.E., & Jasperson, R.A. (2008). Adults in wilderness treatment: A unique application of attachment theory and research.
Clinical Social Work Journal, 36 (1), 51-61.
Bettmann, J.E, Olson-Morrison, D., & Jasperson, R.A. (2011). Adolescents in wilderness treatment: A qualitative study of
attachment relationships. Journal of Experiential Education, 34 (2), 176-194.
Bettmann, J., & Tucker, A. (2011). Shifts in attachment relationships: A study of adolescents in wilderness treatment. Child an
Youth Care Forum, 40(6), 499-519. doi: 10.1007/s10566-011-9146-6
OBH’s Impact on Physical Health
DeMille, S., Comart, C., & Tucker, A. (2014). Body composition changes in an Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare program.
Ecopsychology, 6(3), 174-182.
Tucker, A., Norton, C., DeMille, S., & Hobson, J. (2016). The impact of wilderness therapy on physical and emotional health:
Utilizing an integrated approach in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare. Journal of Experiential Education, 39 (1), 15-30.
Family and OBH
DeMille, S. M., & Montgomery, M. (2016). Integrating narrative family therapy in an Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare program: A
case study. Contemporary Family Therapy, 38, 3–13. doi: 10.1007/s10591-015-9362-6
Faddis, T.J., & Bettmann, J.E. (2006). Reflecting team and other innovative family therapy techniques, adapted for outdoor
behavioral mental health settings. Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 1, 57-69.
Harper, N. & Russell, K. C. (2008). Family involvement and outcome in adolescent wilderness treatment: A mixed-method
evaluation. International Journal of Child and Family Welfare, 1, 19-36.
Harper, N., Russell, K. C., & Cooley, R. (2006). An exploratory examination of changes in adolescent and family well-being following
a wilderness therapy intervention. Journal of Experiential Education, 29, 393-396.
Harper, N., Russell, K. C., Cooley, R. & Cupples, J. (2007). Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Expeditions: An exploratory case
study of adolescent wilderness therapy, family functioning, and the maintenance of change. Child and Youth Care Forum, 36, 111-129.
Liermann, K., & Norton, C.L. (2016). Positive relationship outcomes between parents and adolescent children following therapeutic
wilderness program for struggling teens. Contemporary Family Therapy, 38, 14-22. doi: 10.1007/s10591-015-9371-5
Liermann, K., & Norton, C.L. (2016). Enhancing family communication: Examining the impact of a therapeutic wilderness program
for struggling teens and parents. Contemporary Family Therapy, 38(1), 14-22. doi: 10.1007/s10591-015-9371-5
Tucker, A., Paul, M., Hobson. J., Karoff, M., & Gass, M. (2016). Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare: Its impact on family functioning.
Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 8, 21-40. doi: 10.19157/JTSP.issue.08.01.05
Tucker, A.R., Widmer, M., Faddis, T., Randolph, B., & Gass, M. (2016). Family therapy in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare: Current
practices and future possibilities. Contemporary Family Therapy, 38, 32-42. doi: 10.1007/s10591-015-9370-6
OBH and Juvenile Justice
Gillis, H. L. & Gass, M. A. (2010). Treating juveniles in a sex offender program using adventure-based programming: A matched
group design. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 19(1), 20-34. doi:10.1080/10538710903485583
Gillis, H. L.; Gass, M. & Russell, K. C. (2008). The effectiveness of Project Adventure’s behavior management program for male
offenders in residential treatment. Residential Treatment for Children and Youth, 25, 227-247.
Russell, K. C. (2006). Evaluating the effects of the Wendigo Lake Expedition program for young offenders. Journal of Juvenile
Justice and Youth Violence, 4, 185-203.
Walsh, M. & Russell. K. C. (2011). An exploratory study of a wilderness adventure program for young offenders. Ecopsychology, 2,
211-229.
Risk Management in OBH
Gass, M., & Javorski, S. (2013). 10-year incident monitoring trends in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare: Lessons learned and future
directions. Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 6, 113-129.
Russell, K. C. & Harper, N. (2006). Incident monitoring in outdoor behavioral healthcare programs: A four-year summary of
restraint, runaway, injury, and illness rates. Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 1, 70-90.
OBH and Transport/Escort Use
Tucker, A., Bettmann, J., Norton, C.L., & Comart, C. (2015). The role of transport use in Adolescent wilderness treatment: Its
relationship to readiness to change and outcome. Child and Youth Care Forum, 44, 671-686. doi: 10.1007/s10566-015-9301-6
Tucker, A.R., Massey Combs, K., Bettmann, J., Chang, T., Graham, S., Hoag, M., & Tatum, C. (2016 – online first). Longitudinal
Outcomes for Youth Transported to Wilderness Therapy Programs. Research on Social Work Practice. doi: 10.1177/1049731516647486
Community Based Applications of OBH/Adventure Therapy
Koperski, H., Tucker, A., Lung, D.M., & Gass, M. (2015). The impact of community based adventure therapy programming on
stress and coping skills in adults. Practitioner Scholar: Journal of Counseling and Professional Psychology, 4(1), 1-16.
Norton, C.L., Watt, T., & Penn, A. (2014). Exploring the impact of a wilderness-based positive youth development program for urban
youth. Journal of Experiential Education, 37(4), 335-350. doi: 10.1177/1053825913503113
Tucker, A., Javorski, S., Tracy, J., & Beale, B. (2013). The use of adventure therapy in community-based mental health: Decreases in
problem severity among youth clients. Child and Youth Care Forum, 42(2), 155-179. doi: 10.1007/s10566-012-9190-x
Tucker, A. R., Sugerman, D., & Zelov, R. (2013). On Belay: Providing connection, support and empowerment to children whose
parents have cancer. Journal of Experiential Education, 36(2) 93–105. doi: 10.1177/1053825913487889
Training, Staffing & Supervision
Gass, M. A. & Gillis, H. L. (2010). ENHANCES: Adventure therapy supervision. Journal of Experiential Education, 33(1), 72-89.
Marchand, G. & Russell, K. C. (2011). Initial training of field instructors in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare programs. Journal of
Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 3, 9-12.
Marchand, G. Russell, K. C. & Cross, R. (2009). An empirical examination of outdoor behavioral healthcare field instructor job
related stress and retention. Journal of Experiential Education, 31, 359-375.
Norton, C.L. (2012). Supervision in adventure therapy: Building something with that. In M. Gass, H.L. Gillis, & K.C. Russell (Eds.),
Adventure therapy. New York: Routledge.
Norton, C. L., & Tucker, A. R. (2010). New heights: Adventure-based group work in social work education & practice.
Groupwork, 20(2), 24-44.
Tucker, A. R., & Norton, C.L. (2013). The use of adventure therapy techniques by clinical social workers: Implications for practice
and training. Clinical Social Work Journal, 41, 333–343. doi: 10.1007/s10615-012-0411-4
Additional Publications
Behrens, E. (2015). Preface: A case for clinical case studies. Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 7, 5-7.
Behrens, E. (2016). Preface: A Tipping point for the Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, Journal of Therapeutic Schools
and Programs, 8, 4-5.
Gillis, H.L., Kivlighan, D. M., & Russell, K.C. (2016). Between-client and within-client engagement and outcome in a residential
wilderness treatment group: An actor partner interdependence analysis. Psychotherapy. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/pst0000047
Gillis, H L. & Speelman. E.(2008). Are Challenge (Ropes) Courses an Effective Tool? A Meta-Analysis. The Journal of Experiential
Education, 31(2), 111-135.
Norton, C.L. & Hsieh, C. (2011). Cultural bridging through shared adventure: Cross cultural perspectives in adventure therapy.
Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 11(2), 173-188.
Norton, C.L., Wisner, B., Krugh, M., Penn, A. (2014). Helping youth transition into an alternative residential school setting:
Exploring the effects of a wilderness orientation program on youth purpose and identity complexity. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31(5), 475-493
Russell, K. C. & Gillis, H. L. (2010). Experiential therapy in the mental health treatment of adolescents. Journal of Therapeutic
Schools and Programs, 4, 47-79.
Tucker, A. R., & Rheingold, A. (2010). Enhancing fidelity in adventure education and adventure therapy. Journal of Experiential
Education, 33(3), 258-273.