Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
Stories from the Field: Mental Health in the Outdoors is an authoritative and enlightening podcast that explores the vast landscape of mental health therapies in outdoor settings. Hosted by seasoned mental health professional Dr. Will White, the podcast offers deep insights into outdoor therapies like Adventure Therapy, Eco-Therapy, Wilderness Therapy, and Experiential Therapy, among others.
Dr. White engages with a diverse range of guests, including leading researchers, practitioners, authors, executive directors, guide staff, mental health clinicians, and critics, helping to shed light on the nuances of these unique therapy practices. In addition to exploring the modern implications of these evolving therapeutic modalities, he delves into their rich history, providing a holistic perspective for listeners.
With over 30 years of experience at the juncture of mental health and outdoor environments, Dr. White's expertise is unparalleled. As a co-founder of the pioneering Summit Achievement, an adventure therapy program based in Maine, he has been a guiding force in the field since the 1990s. His scholarly contributions include the book "Stories from the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy" and a chapter in "Adventure Therapy: Theories, Research, and Practice." His doctorate work, "Stories from the Elders: Chronicles and Narratives from the Early Years of Wilderness Therapy," traced the origins and evolution of this specialized field.
To connect with Dr. White, visit storiesfromthefield.com. Listen to this immersive podcast to understand the power and potential of outdoor therapies in addressing mental health concerns.
- Update frequency
- every 9 days
- Average duration
- 45 minutes
- Episodes
- 282
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
Episode 22: Dr. Mike Gass, Director of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center and Professor in Outdoor Education at University of New Hampshire
Dr. Mike Gass is a Professor in the Outdoor Education Program in the Department of Kinesiology at University of New Hampshire as well as the Director of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center.
Mik…
Episode 21: Misty Blakesley, Program Manager at The Mountain Center (previously known as the Santa Fe Mountain Center)
Misty Blakesley is a Program Manager at The Mountain Center (previously called the Santa Fe Mountain Center) a non-profit community based educational and therapeutic organization that, since 1979, ha…
Episode 20: Rick Heizer and Dr. Matt Hoag, Co-owners of Evoke Therapy Programs
Will talks with Rick Heizer and Dr. Matt Hoag, Co-Owners and Co-Founders of Evoke Therapy Programs. Rick is the Executive Director at Evoke Therapy Programs while Matt is the Clinical Director of and…
Episode 19: Derek Daley and Gil Hallows: Co-founders of Legacy Outdoor Adventures
Will interviews Gil Hallows and Derek Daley who co-founded Legacy Outdoor Adventures after working many years in the wilderness therapy field. Gil had been executive director of Aspen Achievement Ac…
Episode 18: Lynette Spencer, Executive Director of Adventure Works, and Ryan Bromberek, Program Director of Adventure Works
Will interviews Lynette Spencer and Ryan Bromberek from Adventure Works, a non-profit, community based, accredited outdoor behavioral healthcare program located in DeKalb, Illinois. Lynette and Ryan…
Episode 17: Lynn Smith, Co-founder of Elements Wilderness Program
Will talks with Lynn Smith, Co-Founder and Director of Family Services of Elements Wilderness Program. Lynn shares his journey from growing up in California to joining Aspen Achievement Academy in 1…
Episode 16: Rochelle Bochner and Lani Dorff, Co-founders of Sky's the Limit Fund
Episode 15: Greta Lutman, Family Services Specialist of Greenbrier Academy
Will visits with Greta Lutman, Family Services Director at Greenbrier Academy. Greenbrier Academy is an emotional growth boarding school for girls. Greta has been a clinician and clinical director…
Episode 14: Leah Madamba, Director of Vive Family Services
Will visits with Leah Madamba, Director of Vive Family Services, a family support program that operates throughout the country. Leah elaborates on her long history in wilderness therapy in a variety…
Episode 13: Krissy Pozatek, author of the book, "The Parallel Process"
Will interviews Krissy Pozatek, author of the book “The Parallel Process," about her journey from growing up in New England to working as a field guide at Aspen Achievement Academy in Utah. Krissy r…
Episode 12: Nichol Ernst, Executive Director and Co-Owner of Summit Achievement
Will talks with Nichol Ernst, Executive Director and Co-Owner of Summit Achievement, a hybrid wilderness therapy program in Maine. Nichol shares his unique journey into wilderness therapy including h…
Episode 11: Dr. Anita Tucker, Professor of Social Work at University of New Hampshire and Associate Director of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center
Will interviews Dr. Anita Tucker, Professor of Social Work at University of New Hampshire (UNH), Associate Director, Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center at UNH. Co-Coordinator, Dual Masters Program …
Episode 10: Shayne Gallagher, Founder and Executive Director Wingate Wilderness Therapy
Will talks with Shayne Gallagher, Founder and Executive Director of Wingate Wilderness Therapy. Shayne shares how his high school years greatly influenced his direction into wilderness therapy. Sha…
Episode 9: Nathan Olsen, CEO of Bestnotes
Will talks with Nathan Olsen, CEO of BestNotes, an electronic health records company that is used by many wilderness therapy programs. Nathan shares is unique childhood experiences from being raised…
Episode 8: Tracy Hopkins, Founder of Dare to Rise and Director of Business Development for Outback Wilderness Therapy
Will has a conversation with Tracy Hopkins Founder of Dare to Rise Consulting as well as Director of Business Development of Outback Treatment. Tracy shares her passion for wilderness and her missio…
Episode 7: Drew Hornbeck, Co-founder of New Visions Wilderness
In this episode Will interviews Drew Hornbeck who shares his journey into the wilderness therapy field and how he ended up co-founding New Visions Wilderness.
Episode 6: Gary Ferguson and Mary Clare
Will interviews Gary Ferguson and Mary Clare, Gary is the author of many books including “Shouting at the Sky: Troubled Teens and the Promise of the Wild” and Mary Clare is founder of Clare Consultat…
Episode 5: Rob Meltzer, educational consultant and founder of the wilderness therapy symposium
In this interview Will talks with Rob Meltzer, educational consultant and founder of the wilderness therapy symposium. Rob talks about his journey into the field and how the Wilderness Therapy Sympo…
Episode 4: Jenney Wilder, Founder of All Kinds of Therapy
In this interview Will dialogues with Jenney Wilder who founded the website, https://www.allkindsoftherapy.com/, which is helps parents and young people navigate the difficult task of finding treatme…
Episode 3: Dr. Lee Gillis, Professor at Georgia College
In this episode Will interviews Lee Gillis leading researcher in the field of Wilderness and Adventure Therapy just after he was awarded the 2018 Eagle Award by the Outdoor Behavioral Research Counci…