Program Overview
NATURE-BASED THERAPY AT SECOND NATURE
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY
Second Nature was founded in 1998 by a small group of clinicians who believed that meaningful therapeutic change could be accelerated by thoughtfully integrating evidence-based treatment with the challenges and restorative qualities of the natural world. Nearly three decades later, we remain owner-operated and committed to that same clinical philosophy.
Second Nature was the first nature-based program to implement a therapist-driven model, placing licensed clinicians at the center of treatment and using proven therapeutic approaches to maximize the growth that naturally emerges through outdoor experiences. Over the years, we have continued to advance the field by developing innovative clinical services, including individualized treatment planning, specialized groups, variable lengths of stay, comprehensive family programming, integrated academics, and the Family Dynamics Assessment.
Today, our commitment remains unchanged: to provide clinically sophisticated, individualized care that helps adolescents and families create lasting change. Second Nature is licensed by the State of Utah, regularly monitored for compliance with state standards, and staffed by experienced, licensed therapists and staff dedicated to helping families move forward with greater confidence, connection, and hope.
For nearly three decades, Second Nature has helped shape the field of nature-based therapy through clinical innovation, an unwavering commitment to safety, and consistently strong outcomes. We bring that depth of experience, clinical expertise, and passion for helping adolescents and families to every student we serve.
At Second Nature, students apply and practice newly acquired skills and coping strategies thats will serve them well in home, school, and social situations. Woven into the daily schedule is a strong focus on assertive communication skills, which are used to process feelings and thoughts that arise while hiking, cooking together, setting up camp, and other activities.
A Therapeutic Experience Designed for Real Life
Second Nature's backpacking model is intentionally designed to support meaningful therapeutic change. Living in a small, supportive community and moving through the natural environment creates daily opportunities for students to practice new skills, build confidence, strengthen relationships, and experience success in ways that feel genuine and lasting.
Most students arrive with little or no backpacking experience. Hiking is low impact, typically three to six miles per day with pack weights adjusted for each student's size. Layover days provide time for individual and group therapy, family therapy, experiential activities and more.
A typical day includes hiking, group therapy, individual assignments, academics, shared responsibilities, mindfulness, games, and downtime. Activities such as backpacking, bouldering, bow-drill fire-making, cooking, and setting up camp aren't simply experiences to fill the day. They are intentionally integrated into treatment, creating natural opportunities to build resilience, improve communication, strengthen problem-solving, and practice emotional regulation.
Because students live and work together throughout the day, the same patterns that create challenges at home naturally emerge within the group. Therapists and field instructors help students recognize these patterns as they occur, providing immediate coaching, feedback, and opportunities to practice healthier ways of responding. Rather than waiting until the next therapy session to discuss what happened, the therapeutic work unfolds in real time, making new insights more meaningful and easier to carry home.
This integration of everyday life with intensive clinical treatment is one of the defining features of Second Nature. Students don't simply talk about change. They experience it, practice it, and build the confidence to continue it long after they leave the program.
Aftercare providers frequently tell us the same thing: Second Nature students arrive prepared. Through intensive clinical work, real-time practice, and active family involvement, students leave with the insight, skills, and therapeutic momentum needed to make the most of whatever comes next.
Experience You Can Trust
Second Nature's clinical model is effective with students across the spectrum of readiness for change, from those who arrive highly resistant to those already motivated to engage in treatment. The combination of 24/7 support from experienced field instructors, close collaboration with licensed therapists, and continuous opportunities to practice new skills in everyday situations creates meaningful change that extends far beyond the therapy session.
For nearly three decades, Second Nature has remained committed to the same guiding principles on which it was founded: exceptional clinical care, an unwavering commitment to safety, and outstanding service to families. Our therapists, field instructors, admissions team, and leadership bring decades of collective experience, with many team members having dedicated ten or more years to the program. That continuity creates consistency in treatment, strengthens the family experience, and contributes to the lasting outcomes for which Second Nature is known.
One of the compliments we hear most often comes from residential treatment centers and other aftercare providers. They consistently tell us that Second Nature students arrive engaged, self-aware, and well prepared for the next phase of treatment, allowing them to build on the progress they've already made.
