Reimagining Therapy: Life-Changing Adventures with Chaim Katz

Jacob was once hooked on movies and TV series, spending long hours every night glued to the screen. Exhausted by day, he eagerly awaited the next binge-watching session, a cycle that left him feeling empty and depressed. Deep down, he yearned to break free and find something truly fulfilling. During his time at a youth center, Jacob joined a week-long mountain expedition—no screens, just challenges and goals to conquer. A pivotal open-hearted conversation during the trip helped him realize the burden of his addiction. After a week of overcoming unexpected trials and unplugging from the digital world, Jacob saw a path forward. Soon after, he sought professional treatment and managed to escape the chains of his viewing habits, all thanks to the inner strength he discovered on that journey.

The transformative expedition that opened Jacob's eyes was led by Chaim Katz, a certified adventure and expedition therapist. Two decades earlier, Katz worked with at-risk youth but felt discouraged by the lack of progression. Everything changed during a trip to a clearing in the English countryside, where he encountered an elderly Englishman who transformed his approach to guidance. Today, participants often wonder, "So, are you a tour guide or a psychologist?" They recognize that these journeys are about much more than simple outings.

Finding the Heart

Chaim Katz immigrated from England to Israel at age five and began his career guiding at-risk teens. "At one point, I was offered a position with youth in England and decided to take it," he recalls. "I did my best for the group but couldn't make significant progress."

What was the issue?

"The problem was that they were feeding off each other's negative influences, leading to a decline even for those who started off relatively well. Conversations didn't translate to meaningful group dynamics because they were too busy joking instead of genuinely engaging. It was frustrating not knowing how to incite change."

Chaim explains, "A productive group needs shared goals and norms, like mutual respect and no violence. When members collaboratively define these standards, they feel committed. Unfortunately, my initial experiences in England lacked a coherent goal, leading to my persistent search for a better method."

Clarity came from an unlikely source during a weekly outdoor activity, catering to the group's request for a shelter-building experience in the woods. There, an elderly English instructor amazed Chaim with his ability to guide each teen according to their strengths—encouraging the creative, relying on the physically strong, assigning roles to the communicative, and even involving observers. The transformation was profound—enthusiastic collaboration replaced reluctant participation.

Journeys of Self-Discovery

Over the years, Chaim has led expeditions with youth around the world. "Our process doesn’t start with the journey itself but with weekly meetings to develop trust and intent," he explains. He highlights the challenges educators face in breaking through cynicism and violence, emphasizing the role adventure plays in fostering genuine conversations.

"Adventure in the field ignites interest with experience, knowledge, self-discovery, and group cohesion. These experiences reshape narratives, encouraging teens to challenge self-imposed limitations," he says.

Chaim exemplifies, "On trekking trips, I tell them 'In three days, we’ll reach that distant mountain.' Initially daunting, they achieve it, learning that their perceived limits might not hold true." This revelation often extends to other life challenges.

Even the group bond offers fresh perspectives. "In shared dialogues, self-proclaimed victims realize others grapple with deeper hardships, gaining new appreciation for their unseen blessings," he details.

What about missed challenges?

"Failures teach valuable lessons too. An overdue camp arrival once meant a hungry night, stirring bitterness that subsided with a brighter dawn. Those experiences offer resilience and learning moments."

Family Challenges and Beyond

Though global adventures halted with the pandemic, Chaim opened new paths with unique group activities—20 adults aged 30-50 delve into life reflections in pause from routine. Moreover, he's initiated challenging father-son interactions, fostering deeper connections through collaborative outdoor tasks.

Passing the Torch

Determined to share his insights, Chaim plans to reach at least 1,000 educators, impacting countless students through experiential learning. Workshops foster engaging classroom dynamics, ensuring even the quietest student finds a voice. Further, in pandemic times, Chaim curates weekly challenges via email to entertain and connect families at home, easing isolation for children and adults alike.