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Adventure Therapist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Therapist

Leicester, NC · On-site

$60K - $72K/yr

Each campus offers a unique blend of clinical rehabilitation, 12 step addiction recovery, proven addiction therapy services, family counseling, and experiential and adventure therapy. We are seeking ...

Therapist

Fletcher, NC · On-site

$60K - $72K/yr

Each campus offers a unique blend of clinical rehabilitation, 12 step addiction recovery, proven addiction therapy services, family counseling, and experiential and adventure therapy. We are seeking ...

Therapist

Ellenboro, NC · On-site

$60K - $72K/yr

Each campus offers a unique blend of clinical rehabilitation, 12 step addiction recovery, proven addiction therapy services, family counseling, and experiential and adventure therapy. We are seeking ...

Step into a dynamic role where you'll design and lead innovative adventure therapy experiences that build emotional resilience, physical wellness, social skills, and neurobiological growth. From ...

Utilize Adventure Therapy , Animal-Assisted Therapy , and experiential modalities -- including the opportunity to integrate our Golden Retrieverbased canine therapy program into sessions. Required ...

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Showing results 21-40

Adventure Therapist information

See salary details

$35.5K

$63.9K

$112K

How much do adventure therapist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for adventure therapist in the United States is $63,943.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,000.00 and $69,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does an adventure therapist typically collaborate with other mental health professionals in a treatment setting?

Adventure Therapists often work closely with psychologists, social workers, and counselors to develop and implement holistic treatment plans for clients. They participate in regular case conferences, share progress updates, and coordinate activities to ensure therapeutic goals are aligned across disciplines. This collaborative approach helps provide comprehensive care and supports the client’s overall well-being. Teamwork and clear communication are essential in this role, as Adventure Therapists often integrate their experiential interventions with more traditional therapeutic methods.

What is an adventure therapist?

An adventure therapist is a mental health professional who uses outdoor activities and experiential techniques, such as hiking, rock climbing, or team-building exercises, as part of therapeutic treatment. The goal is to help clients develop emotional resilience, self-awareness, and coping skills through challenging and supportive experiences in nature. Adventure therapy is often used with individuals, groups, or families and can be effective for a variety of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues. This approach combines traditional therapy methods with experiential learning to promote growth and healing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an adventure therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Adventure Therapist, you need a background in psychology or counseling, knowledge of outdoor education, and relevant licensure or certification in mental health. Familiarity with risk management protocols, wilderness first aid, and experiential therapy models is commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and the ability to build trust are critical for fostering therapeutic relationships and managing group dynamics in unpredictable environments. These skills and qualities are essential to safely guide clients through therapeutic outdoor experiences that promote personal growth and emotional healing.

What is the difference between Adventure Therapist vs Wilderness Therapist?

AspectAdventure TherapistWilderness Therapist
CredentialsLikely requires counseling or therapy certification, outdoor activity trainingRequires therapy credentials, outdoor skills, wilderness first aid
Work EnvironmentOutdoor settings, adventure-based programs, therapy sessions in natureRemote wilderness areas, outdoor therapy programs, survival settings
Employer & IndustryTherapy clinics, outdoor education companies, mental health organizationsWilderness therapy programs, outdoor treatment centers, mental health agencies

Adventure Therapists and Wilderness Therapists both work outdoors and focus on mental health treatment through experiential activities. The main difference lies in their specific settings and certifications. Adventure Therapists often work in structured outdoor programs combining therapy with adventure activities, while Wilderness Therapists typically operate in remote wilderness environments, emphasizing survival skills alongside therapy. Both roles require outdoor skills and mental health credentials, but their work environments and program types vary.

More about Adventure Therapist jobs
What cities are hiring for Adventure Therapist jobs? Cities with the most Adventure Therapist job openings:
What states have the most Adventure Therapist jobs? States with the most job openings for Adventure Therapist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Adventure Therapist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Adventure Therapist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Adventure Therapist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,943 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

Experiential Therapist - Program Lead

Calo Programs

Columbia, MO

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Experiential Therapist - Program Lead

Location: 130 Calo Lane, Lake Ozark, MO 65049 
Salary: $70,000 to $80,000 

Relocation Assistance Provided!

Ready to get out of the therapy room and make a meaningful impact through connection and engagement? If you're a clinician who enjoys building relationships, leading groups, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and creating engaging therapeutic experiences, this role offers the opportunity to support youth in a dynamic and highly interactive environment.

Here, therapy happens in motion: through group challenges, outdoor experiences, and animal-assisted work. You'll work side-by-side with our youth by helping them build trust, regulate, and breakthrough in ways traditional settings often can't reach.

At CALO, our mission is to heal generations through a holistic, family-driven model, and you will be at the heart of that work.

Apply today if you're looking for a highly engaging environment where no two days are the same. Ideal for clinicians who enjoy group work, program development, and building connections.


  • Lead and facilitate therapeutic groups, experiential activities, and animal-assisted programming that support student growth and treatment goals.
  • Coordinate, organize, and oversee the day-to-day flow of adventure therapy and experiential programming to ensure a structured, engaging, and effective student experience.
  • Partner closely with Adventure Therapy Coordinators to develop, implement, and enhance programming, activities, and therapeutic experiences.
  • Build strong therapeutic relationships with students through mentorship, daily engagement, hands-on support, and meaningful shared experiences.
  • Integrate animal-assisted interventions, including work alongside CALO's canine companions, to promote connection, regulation, and growth.
  • Provide clinical support through assessments, treatment planning input, real-time coaching, and crisis intervention as needed.
  • Ensure timely documentation, family communication, regulatory compliance, and overall program quality while helping maintain a positive, relationship-focused treatment environment.

  • Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Recreation Therapy, or a related behavioral health field.
  • Fully licensed clinicians (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, Psychologist) preferred; provisional licensure will be considered.
  • Recreational Therapy certification may be considered based on education, experience, and credentialing requirements.
  • Experience facilitating groups and working with adolescents in a therapeutic, residential, or experiential setting.
  • Interest in or experience with adventure-based, experiential, and animal-assisted interventions.
  • Strong leadership, organization, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
  • Must be at least 24 years of age and able to pass required background and drug screenings.

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance â€“ Multiple plan options including PPO and HDHPs with HSA eligibility and company contributions.
  • Paid Parental Leave â€“ Up to 6 weeks fully paid for exempt employees and 4 weeks for non-exempt.
  • Life & Disability Coverage â€“ Company-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability; voluntary life and optional short-term disability available.
  • 401(k) with Company Match â€“ Retirement savings with matching contributions after eligibility period.
  • PTO & Holidays â€“ Competitive PTO accrual plans and paid holidays throughout the year.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) â€“ Free, confidential support for life’s challenges.

CALO is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to enriching the therapeutic and healing experience we offer through the diversity of our employees and community. We actively seek to recruit and support a broadly diverse staff who contribute to our excellence, diversity of viewpoints and experiences, and relevance in a global society. 


CALO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. #ALLCALO #onsite #LI-KK1