Climbing Therapy

A woman climbing an indoor bouldering wall with various colored holds and labeled start tags.

What is climbing therapy?

Climbing therapy is a therapeutic activity focused on promoting mental health and well-being through controlled climbing exercises. It involves utilizing bouldering and climbing walls, ropes, harnesses, and safety equipment under the guidance of trained professionals.  This approach is informed by research on the effectiveness of indoor climbing therapy for mental health treatment.

Climbing gear bag and a flyer about therapeutic climbing at an indoor climbing gym, with a climbing wall in the background.

Why climbing?

Climbing therapy can serve as a powerful tool for enhancing emotional resilience, stress management, and overall well-being.

Through climbing, we can examine:

  • mindfulness

  • boundaries and limits

  • self-confidence

  • motivation

  • decision-making

  • risk assessment

  • navigating social situations

  • and more!

- New Podcast Episode!

- New Podcast Episode!

Listen to Laurel talk about climbing therapy with Dr. Don McGrath, author of Inside the Vertical Mind. Find out more about the history of climbing therapy, what it is used for, and how to learn more!

Partners

Indoor climbing therapy services are offered at Denver Bouldering Club locations.

Logo of the Denver Bouldering Club featuring a mountain and climbing holds graphic.

Outdoor climbing therapy services are offered in collaboration with She Sends Collective.

Logo with the words 'She Sends Collective' and a clenched fist symbol.