Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (TWP) are a fast growing segment of the adolescent treatment arena. Scientific literature on TWPs shows that researchers have skipped the natural step of identifying the population of adolescents admitted for treatment. To fill the gap in TWP research, this archival study identified demographic features and distinctive foundational aspects that represent the TWP treatment population. Comparison samples were taken from two TWPs, two residential treatment centers (RTC) and an outpatient therapy clinic (OP). At each of the five sites, basic descriptive data from client records were combined to represent multiple characterizing indexes that are in common usage for description of adolescent clinical populations. Data from TWPs (n = 150) were compared to both RTC (n = 152) and OP (n = 154) data in order to identify statistical and clinical differences across settings (primarily using Chi-square and Cramer's V). Results showed significant differences (p < .05) between TWP admits and RTC/OP admits in demographic (e.g. age; adoptive status), school related behavioral problems, nature and type of primary diagnoses, treatment history (psychiatric and psychological), psychosocial history, legal issues, substance use, and family dynamics descriptors. A number of differences (TWP vs. OP and TWP vs. RTC) showed a moderate to large effect size (Cramer's V > .3). Important clinically significant differences include: the nature of current primary disorder (TWP admits show more externalizing); presence of a mood disorder (RTC/OP present with more mood disorders); attendance at previous outpatient treatment (RTC/OP access outpatient treatment more); admittance to previous inpatient treatment (TWPs more commonly had a single inpatient admission; RTC more commonly had more than one inpatient admittance); family communication and family adaptability (TWPs family communication and family adaptability rated lower). These client features appear to be distinct identifiers of TWP admits when compared to RTC/OP admits. Other characterization indices emerged as identifiers between TWP vs. OP (e.g. school suspension; diagnostic severity; and arrests) and TWP vs. RTC (e.g. suicidal ideation; self mutilation; and prescribed psychiatric medication) separately. Implications for researchers, clinicians, educational consultants, and families are discussed.

Background: Mental health issues and harmful substance use are problems that affect many Canadian youth. Wilderness therapy (WT) is a residential adventure-based therapy modality shown to have some success in treating these issues. Further research is needed regarding the ways that participants change, and if there are certain individuals that benefit more from this treatment than others. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the changes in presenting problems and trait emotional intelligence of participants at one WT organization in Ontario, Canada. The working alliance - shown to have a positive impact on therapeutic treatment - along with sex and age, were examined to determine if these elements moderate outcomes. Methodology: Two separate samples were created from archival data provided by the participating organization. The first sample includes pre and post Youth Outcome Questionnaires (N=30, 14 to 18 year olds). The second sample includes pre and post Trait-Emotional Intelligence Questionnaires (N=68 youth, 16 to 20 year olds). All participants in both groups completed one Working Alliance Inventory post-WT. Descriptive statistics were calculated, paired t-tests were run, and Pearson correlation matrices and visualizations were created. Findings/Conclusions: Findings indicate that older male individuals report greater reductions in presenting problems as a result of their participation in WT. Trait emotional intelligence did not seem to change, and the working alliance did not seem to moderate any of these outcomes. / Graduate