Adventure As A Path To Healing: Empowering Young People In Out-of-home Care (OOHC)
This session will give a brief overview of the growing body of evidence for adventure and nature-based therapy, in the context of childhood trauma. It will draw examples from two adventure pathways that are replicable for professionals working with young people in Out-of-Home Care settings:
The first pathway presents the model used by Professional Individualised Care (PIC). This not-for-profit service specialises in delivering tailored Travel and Assessment Projects (TAPs) for vulnerable young people in care. The approach focuses on creating a nurturing environment through genuine, one-on-one relationships, offering each individual the trust and connection they need to thrive. By combining experiential learning with new, exciting adventures, we help young people engage in transformative experiences that foster healing, growth, and inspiration. TAPs projects are designed not only to assess their needs but also to empower them through personal development, enabling them to discover their potential and build a brighter future.
The second pathway looks at practical strategies involving individual allied health professionals who use adventure as part of trauma therapy. It will explain how supportive adults can cocreate adventurous experiences at the right level for the young person. It will provide evidence-based tools to ensure these adventurous experiences match therapeutic and capacity-building goals for young people. Including examples of the specific type of nature/adventure experience matched with outcomes; and underlying mechanisms matched with intended outcomes related to childhood trauma. There will be examples of ways adventure activities are tailored to the individual participants, e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, and needs/diagnoses. It will also share ways to find trained adventure therapy professionals globally.
Join this session to hear how these models use adventure to provide connection and positive change for young people in care. The session will conclude with a short accessible experiential activity to bring the theories to life.
Sharleen James & Kylie Agnew
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Travel and Ambulant Project Lead
With a background in criminology, social policy, and extensive experience in therapeutic and youth work, Sharleen is deeply committed to supporting vulnerable populations, particularly young people in Out-of-Home Care (OOHC). As the Travel and Ambulant Project Lead at Professional Individualised Care (PIC), she leads trauma-informed, relational interventions that prioritize genuine connection and emotional healing. Her work centres on empowering young people to reclaim autonomy and experience the normative childhood opportunities they have often missed.
Sharleen’s previous roles as a Youth Worker Specialist and Transition Worker have deepened her commitment to holistic care, allowing her to provide individualized support that addresses both emotional and practical needs. Her experience as a Community Corrections Officer with Corrective Services New South Wales further enhanced her ability to facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration, guiding individuals toward positive outcomes through relationship-building and support networks.
Drawing on her experience as an Outdoor Field Instructor with the Pine River Institute, where she utilized nature and adventure to foster healing, Sharleen has honed her focus on therapeutic practices that prioritize trust, empathy, and connection. Her diverse experiences have shaped her dedication to ensuring that vulnerable young people feel seen, understood, and empowered to shape their futures.