It is with gratitude and joy that this November, Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness celebrates the two-year anniversary of its young adult program, Emerald Arrow: A Bold Path. Emerald Arrow (EA) consists of a mixed-gender group of individuals ages 18-28 who struggle with mood disorders, trauma, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, screen and technology addiction, attachment issues and personality disorders. 

In the last two years, Clinical Director and Primary Therapist Anne Wilzbacher, LPC has worked tirelessly to cultivate her original vision: an integrated therapeutic experience where young adults strive towards empowerment and discovery. The mission is to prepare young adults and their families in the best way possible for their life after wilderness therapy. The program elements Anne developed allow Emerald Arrow students to witness the revealing effects of nature, experiencing in-depth clinical insight and intervention integrated with creativity and purpose-driven experiences. Individuals in EA have the opportunity to set a strong foundation so that they may move forward in their lives with sustainable vitality. Anne explains, “The essence of Emerald Arrow represents pulling back into yourself, your family system, generational patterns, looking at those things you have not wanted to look at and being willing to be challenged and uncomfortable, to then move swiftly forward on your beautiful and bold path that is this life.”

When enrolled, Emerald Arrow Students can expect to experience:

• Integrated and Individualized Clinical Work
• Family Systems Focus and Support 
• Core Wilderness Work and Primitive Skills
• Intensive Group Psychotherapy
• Integrative and Enhanced Assessment
• Creative Exposure/Expression and Skill Building Intensives
• Thoughtful Transition Preparation and Meaningful Graduation Ceremony

Emerald Arrow’s two-year anniversary also presents the opportunity to celebrate the many students and families who have courageously and vulnerably participated in and helped to grow the Emerald Arrow program. For two years, EA students and their families have worked to build self-awareness, practice resiliency, gain clarity and pursue integrity in their lives. These amazing clients are the beating heart of Emerald Arrow.

As with most components of Wilderness Therapy, the “Emerald Arrow” conveys symbolism and metaphor. The arrow represents the action of pulling back and retreating inwards to learn about oneself with the intention of moving forward with purpose and drive. The emerald is known to be the “stone of the heart”; it represents growth, transformation, and unearthing what is true. As German philosopher St. Hildegaard says, “all the green of nature is concentrated in an emerald.” 

Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness (BRTW) was founded in 2002 as a licensed wilderness therapy program that offers clinically driven wilderness therapy programs encompassing advanced therapeutic skills, a highly flexible nomadic wilderness therapy model, licensed wilderness therapy assessment, and multiple treatment options for struggling teens ages 13-18 as well as young adults ages 18-30 in their Emerald Arrow program. Their individualized approach, family support, and commitment to service translate to an unparalleled experience and better outcomes for adolescents and families. Contact admissions for any questions about admissions at (888) 914-1050.