Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors

Welcome to the premiere episode of Season 18 of Stories from the Field! This season, our spotlight is on addiction and recovery, and we're thrilled to have Adventure Recovery as our underwriter—a recognized leader in the realms of recovery and outdoor leadership. In this episode, we sit down with Tim Walsh, the visionary founder of Adventure Recovery , and Josh Flaherty, now the executive director...

In this special episode of "Stories from the Field," host Will White shares his transformative experience at the Soul Degree retreat, a unique blend of outdoor therapy and holistic practices. Will's candid discussion reveals his struggles with mental health and how the retreat, founded by Chris Robbins, played a pivotal role in his journey towards healing. The episode delves into the power of natu...

In this enlightening episode, we talk with Dr. Stephanie Marti , a pioneering adventure psychotherapist. The discussion begins with an introduction to Stephanie's unique therapeutic approach, which elegantly combines mental health services with experiential learning and adventure, all within the embrace of nature's beauty in Marin County, California. Stephanie shares her journey as a teen, deeply...

In this enlightening episode we delve into the interplay of mental health and outdoor experiences, focusing on the therapeutic power of activities like rock climbing in addressing anxiety. We talk with Noah Kleiner, founder of Equinox Guiding Service in Maine, who shares his inspiring journey from a childhood immersed in nature to establishing a successful guiding service. Noah's narrative unfolds...

In this special episode, we explore the evolution of adventure therapy certifications with Fred Borroel, a humble leader in the field. Fred shares his journey into adventure therapy and his contributions through his private practice at  San Antonio Adventure Therapy and as the Certification Chair at the Association for Experiential Education (AEE.org ). The discussion centers on the newly introduc...

In this thought-provoking special episode of Stories from the Field , we delve into the "Post-Pandemic Wilderness Therapy: Seven Trends in Outdoor Mental Health Practices," exploring the transformative shifts that have emerged in therapeutic outdoor practices following the global pandemic. With the world having navigated through unprecedented times, the mental health field has seen a pivotal evolu...

In this insightful episode of Stories from the Field, we welcome Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan, a pioneering figure in nature-informed therapy and the founder of the Center for Nature Informed Therapy . Dr. Heidi is not just an advocate for integrating the outdoors into mental health treatment; she is also a dedicated provider of training in this innovative field, offering valuable insights and guidance...

In this story we delve into a hiking approach to psychotherapy with our guest, Aimee Frazier, the visionary behind Portland Hiking Therapy in Oregon. Aimee's outpatient mental health work revolves around the transformative practice of conducting psychotherapy sessions while hiking, individually and in groups. This innovative approach not only benefits her clients but also plays a crucial role in A...

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Justin Messinger, a primary therapist at the Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness Program located in Georgia. Justin shares the myriad challenges presented by today's world, from the relentless pace of technology to complex social dynamics, many adolescents often find themselves feeling adrift, searching for a sense of identity and belonging. Drawing upon h...

In this enlightening episode of "Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors," we sit down with Zack Schafer, the Executive Program Director at Mountain Valley Treatment Center . With a rich background in occupational therapy, Zack opens up about how the center uniquely addresses the challenges faced by young people battling anxiety and OCD. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding ex...

This week, we talk with Jake Weld, an experienced educator and Vice President of Mansfield Hall , as he delves into the multifaceted nature of anxiety among college students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). With nearly 35% of college students and 40-50% of those with Autism confronting anxiety, this episode aims to unravel why these rates are significantly high within the ASD communi...

Dive deep with us in this heartwarming episode as Jenna Krueger, a former field guide at Aspiro, opens up about her journey and the profound shifts in her career and the outdoor therapy landscape. Jenna's candid revelations about learning of Aspiro's closure after dedicating over a year and a half of her life to the program offer an intimate glimpse into the ever-evolving world of wilderness and a...

In this enlightening episode of "Stories from the Field: Mental Health in the Outdoors," we're joined by the insightful Mike DeLuca, LCSW, a clinician at Summit Achievement - a unique adolescent residential treatment program with an adventure therapy component. Mike delves deep into his transformative journey, starting from his years at Outward Bound and the experiences that shaped his perspective...

In this revealing special episode, we dive into the announcement that WinGate Wilderness Therapy in Utah is closing in September. WinGate has joined three other outdoor behavioral healthcare programs (SUWS of the Carolinas, Aspiro, Outback) to shutter its doors in recent months. We trace WinGate's origins, its rapid rise under Shayne and Sherry Gallagher and Family Help and Wellness, and ponder wh...

In this episode, we hear the story of Jessica Jo Stenquist, the inspiring Founder and CEO of Millcreek Experiential Wellness Center . With an illustrious seventeen-year-long career as a mental health clinician, Jessica Jo is no stranger to the transformative power of experiential therapy, and at Millcreek, she's sculpted a haven where nature becomes the ultimate therapist. In our conversation with...

In this episode, we talk with Darcy Holt, admissions director of Three Peaks Ascent , a new outdoor mental health treatment program in Utah.   Darcy also helps at Red Cliff Ascent , a wilderness therapy program that is a partner program of Three Peaks. Darcy discusses the similarities and differences between the two programs and how Three Peaks Ascent is reimbursable by insurance companies to help...

In this episode, we delve into the compelling narrative of Will Laughlin, an ultra-marathoner, father, and CEO. Laughlin, a seasoned athlete who has endured the scorching heat of Death Valley and the severe cold of the Yukon, articulates how ultra-running has become a therapeutic tool for addressing his fears and anxieties. He expounds on the evolution of high-risk adventure expeditions and the im...

In this episode, we celebrate the 20th Wilderness Therapy Symposium by speaking with two key figures in the field. Our guests are Rob Meltzer, educational consultant and founder of the Wilderness Therapy Symposium, and Cristina Picozzi, executive director of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council. We start by delving into Rob's journey and inspiration for creating the Wilderness Therapy Symposi...

In the celebratory 200th episode of Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors, guest host Jake Weld catches up with the podcast's creator, Dr. Will White, who reflects on the transformative changes witnessed in outdoor therapies in the last 200 episodes. Will sees the field in a transformative era, with more acceptance of outdoor therapy's impact on mental health. However, he also not...

In this week's episode, we have the privilege of hearing from Dr. Hilary McCloy, an esteemed Physical Therapist, a former member of the US Ski Team, and a remarkable athlete. Hilary shares her journey into high-risk sports, including being one of the best skiers in the world at the tender age of 15. She shares the inspiring story of achieving her dream of being named a member of the US Ski Team wh...

In this episode, we hear from Ken Wylie, author, speaker, facilitator, and former professional backcountry ski guide and mountaineer. Ken's book "Buried" is a profound memoir about a 2003 tragedy where an avalanche killed seven backcountry skiers in Canada when Ken was a ski guide. The book explores the mountaineering community's intricate relationships and the personal decisions that led to a tra...

In this special episode, we have a conversation with Dean Reynolds, the founder and executive director of Seeds Wilderness Therapy, located in Colorado. Seeds Wilderness Therapy is a Christian-based wilderness therapy program that started during the pandemic. Dean talks about his journey to Christianity after a terrible motorcycle accident and how he decided to serve others, leading him to the wil...

In this engaging podcast episode, we converse with the acclaimed Director of Photography and Filmmaker, Thom Pollard. Known for his adventurous expeditions to some of the planet's most isolated spots, from the mystic Easter Island to the challenging summit of Mount Everest, Thom provides deep insights into his adventurous life. His thrilling high-risk exploits have changed his outlook on life and...

In this special episode, we dive into the sudden closure of SUWS of the Carolinas by Acadia Healthcare and the impact it had on families, employees, and the field as a whole. Our guest, Kevin Green, shares his experience with the program, as his son was attending SUWS when they received the shocking news of its closure. Kevin explains how his son was making progress in the program after participat...

In this episode, we talk with Majka Burhardt, a professional climber, social entrepreneur, author, mother of twins, filmmaker, and so much more. Majka has just written a new book titled, " More: Life on the Edge of Adventure and Motherhood, " which is an intense and authentic memoir written in a unique style that combines letters to her children, reflections on motherhood and daughterhood, adventu...