By employing a counternarrative approach, this phenomenological research analyzes the extent to which testimonios might be used in Adventure Therapy to challenge existing colonial interpretations of adult Hispanics, Latina/xs and races outside of deficit frameworks with co-occurring disorders residing in addiction treatment program. The terms Hispanic and Latinx are used interchangeably to identify racial identity, but it is important to note the term Hispanic was primarily used by the participants. Nonetheless I weave in Latinx to place an emphasis on intersectionality. I use testimonios as a qualitative method to amplify women's voices rather that impose labels of mental illness used in scientific psychiatry to illuminate the transformation of cultural hybridization. My research concerns holistic, culturally congruent and trauma-informed therapeutic approaches grounded in decoloniality that counters the deficit-framing of the medical model and reclaim the voices of people diagnosed with co-occurring disorders.I argue by defining diagnostic labels of mental illness place an emphasis on "othering" rather than taking a person-centered approach. A person-centered approach views the human before defining labels. To counter this othering, I weave in testimonio as a method with mental health to elevate the participants voices, as an informant asserted, "We are human before we are a label." Additionally, this research moves beyond statements to praxis, examining how accountability can guide deep implementations of culturally responsive care that honors the experiences of Hispanic women beyond surface-level adjustments to Western medical standards. Hence, decolonial epistemology works towards reclaiming mental health narratives by addressing the therapeutic intervention of Adventure Therapy. The resulting approach recenters Latina/x voices and lives that have infused the outdoors for decades. Even more importantly, the adoption of a decolonial approach in adventure therapy results in a strength-based perspective when examining mental health that counters myths about how "high risk" youth use the outdoors. As a result of implementing this combined approach, the thematic analysis with 11 participants yields four key themes: 1) challenges to mental health included trauma and unhealthy responses to trauma, 2) mental health was associated with holistic wellness, self-awareness, and self-determination, 3) adventure therapy taught coping skills, built confidence, regulated emotions, and brought enjoyment, and 4) healing meant gaining or regaining self-determination and self-acceptance. Through narratives, these findings demonstrate the ability to reframe mental health narratives about Hispanic women diagnosed with mental illness. In conclusion, this dissertation addresses significant research gaps in the implementation of social justice work within the field of Adventure Therapy by spotlighting theories and methods. To illustrate, I intertwine Gloria Anzaldua's stages of conocimiento with Adventure Therapy, to uplift voices of Latinx/Hispanic communities and illustrate the potential for collaboration across the humanities and social sciences.
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