Gippsland Adventure Therapy

09/05/2026

Ok folks, so in the midst of life after G*T and an evolution of how I transfer everything I’ve learnt from outdoor therapy into social work and what that will look like is still anyone’s guess as to where this path will take me.

But I have ideas and I have strong ethical beliefs about how our work with young people should look. I’m not sure if it’s the influence of all those big brained legends at university or if this is the logical next step, but I’m starting to articulate what I call an ethical approach to youth work.

I’ve started a substack, a platform for writing and dangerous ideas, you can also read this on G*T’s adventure journal blog just go to the website and you’ll find it.

I’d love to know what you think.

❤️🛶 Doug.

“A young person does not owe us their engagement.” This feels like a simple sentence, but I think it challenges how youth services approach the work with our most vulnerable young people in out-of-home-care.

11/04/2026

In youth work:

“Adults don’t have the right to dictate what an interaction should mean. They only have the responsibility to stay curious about whether it mattered”

I’m trying to put together what I think is an ethical stance to our work with youth. You know in the down time between work, family and uni 😆.

13/02/2026

18/11/2025

On Kurnai Country

I like sticks!!!! 🤣

I’m heading to the Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie this weekend to run a “Fun, Safe, Useful” workshop all about engaging youth into better mental health outcomes.

And yes, kids like sticks!!!! Anyone coming will get their very own stick to craft🏒.

Come and get excited about sticks with me🤣🥰

10/11/2025

21/10/2025

On Kurnai Country,

The Village Health will be my new home and I couldn’t be more excited to be given the opportunity to facilitate engaging, relational and young person led therapuetic outdoor sessions in the Warragul area.

See you soon.

Adventure meets therapy and it’s landing right here at The Village Health!

We’re so excited to welcome Doug Moczynski, our new Youth and Children's Practitioner & Adventure Therapist.

Doug brings over 15 years’ experience working with young people across Gippsland and is best known for his nature-based approach through Gippsland Adventure Therapy.

At The Village Health, Doug is offering both the big adventures he’s known for and bite-sized, 90-minute therapy adventures right here in Warragul. Designed to help young people build confidence, connection, and calm in creative, active ways.

⛰ Healing, but make it an adventure.

Contact us today to book with Doug.

10/10/2025

On GunaiKurnai Country.

This week I was the parent helper for my little person’s primary school camp! Not a camp guide, not an activity instructor or even outdoor therapy person, I was just little persons Dad and there to help out.

The camp’s theme was “resilience” and for some students it was their first time away from home.

In the world according to Doug resilience can happen when young people are given opportunities to try things while being held in relational safety by trusted grown ups. It’s an art form and takes a high level of self awareness from adults to facilitate. It can become negative if we push kids outside of their window of tolerance and stay ridged to what we think should be desired outcomes.

The role of attuned teachers and support staff are essential on camps. Freelance guides or camp staff while exceptional and equally essential to running a successfull camp, don’t have the opportunity to form those secure relationships required to lead little people through big experiences like a first time camper.

Being connected to their little people well enough to know when to push, when to give space, or when they just need a hug. The school staff just were amazing, so patient and dedicated about their students and gaining good outcomes for their experiences. Such a privilege to be helping a team out that cares so much for their little people.

Sign me up for next year please!