Anita Tucker, professor of social work and associate chair of the Department of Social Work, was recently awarded the 2024 Heart of Adventure Therapy Award (HOAT) from the Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group (TAPG).
The award celebrates individuals who embody the mission and vision of the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) while advancing the field of adventure therapy through exemplary service and impactful research.
Tucker has made numerous contributions to the field of adventure therapy and is widely regarded as a leading researcher and practitioner, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications and a body of work cited more than 1,500 times.
Her co-authored textbook, Adventure Group Psychotherapy: An Experiential Guide to Practice, has become an essential resource for practitioners, and her forthcoming book, Individual Adventure Psychotherapy, is set to further advance the field in 2025.
In recognizing Tucker for the award, TAPG notes that Tucker has been described by her peers and mentors as “one of the most important researchers,” “having a passion for student engagement,” and as “an exceptional teacher, facilitator, and mentor.”
Tucker served 10 years as the associate director of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center, where she spearheaded initiatives that have significantly shaped wilderness and adventure therapy. She now serves as co-coordinator of the Outdoor Research Collaborative for Health, Wellbeing, and Experiential Engagement, and is focused on expanding the focus to include interdisciplinary collaborations and improving accessibility to the outdoors for all.
At UNH, Tucker coordinates the dual master’s degree program in social work and recreation management, which prepares students for careers in adventure therapy. The program attracts students from across the globe, many of whom have backgrounds in outdoor education, wilderness programming, or international service like the Peace Corps.
Learn more about Tucker here.
