LAUSR

Literature regarding the therapeutic effects of wall climbing treatment on psychiatric medical conditions is relatively limited. This letter explores a study case of wall climbing group therapy for patients diagnosed with complex PTSD (CPTSD) as a result of childhood sexual assault (CSA). Wall climbing is one of many different types of adventure-based counseling (aka ABC). ABC is a therapeutic approach that differs from the traditional therapeutic approach by three elements: break from familiarity element, risk and challenge element, and setting element. ABC’s main goal is improving oneself view by practicing trust-building, identifying coping strategies, facilitating self-esteem, experiencing goal setting, and coping with challenges (Schoel et al., 1998). The climbing program is a group therapy program held once a week for six consecutive weeks; each group includes 6–8 patients. It is conducted at an indoor climbing wall near Lev Hasahron Mental Health Medical Center in Israel, and it is guided by two occupational therapists and a climbing instructor. The first (pilot) program started in Feb 2018 and since then included 49 patients (41 females, 8 males; 81.6% 18–40 years, 18.4% 41–57 years). Each climbing session focuses on a different therapeutic theme such as self-volition, trust, and defining boundaries. The climbing session is a two-hour session beginning with a short gathering to present the theme for the session including psychoeducation on the theme (e.g. giving trust and how trust issues are related to various aspects of daily living such as going to a doctor), thereafter a short warm-up followed by various climbing exercises. The session ends with another gathering in which the group members discuss their experience, feelings, and the influence of climbing on daily living.