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
242: Transforming Wilderness Therapy: Insights from Dr. Denise Mitten on Emotional Safety and Ethics of Care
In this episode Will talks with Dr. Denise Mitten, a pioneering figure in outdoor education, adventure, and wilderness therapy. Denise shares her journey from her early days in the 1970s, overcoming …
241: Redefining Wilderness Therapy: The Crossroads Discovery Approach
In this episode Will talks with Sheldon Nelson, founder of Crossroads Discovery and a veteran of the wilderness therapy field. Sheldon discusses the inspiration behind Crossroads Discovery, a program…
240: Wilderness Therapy Success Stories: Andy Benckart’s Transformation and Path to Social Work
In this episode, Will talks with Andy Benckart, a former wilderness therapy participant whose transformative journey has led him to pursue a master's degree in social work. Andy shares how his time i…
239: From “Troubled Teen” to Transformative Mentor: Ciara Fanlo's Journey through Wilderness Therapy
In this episode Will talks with Ciara Fanlo, founder of Homing Instinct, to discuss her transformative journey from a “troubled teen” to a dedicated mentor for adolescents. Ciara opens up about her…
238: Adventure Therapy Innovations with Kim Sacksteder and Nick Magle-Haberek
In this episode Will welcomes Kim Sacksteder and Nick Magle-Haberek from Adventure-Therapist.com to share their story. Discover how they have expanded their training and supervision programs, empha…
237: Climbing Mount Moosilauke: Therapy, Adventure, and Personal Triumph
In this week’s episode Will sits down with Zack Shaffer, executive director of Mountain Valley Treatment Center, to discuss their recent hike up Mount Moosilauke. They recount the challenging Memoria…
236: Healing in Nature: David Segal and Bonnie Dyck on Nature-Based Therapy
In this episode, Will welcomes David Segal and Bonnie Dyck from the Human Nature Counselling Society. They dive deep into their journeys into nature-based therapy, sharing how personal experiences …
235: Thriving After Wilderness Therapy: Colin MacDonald's Path to Not Therapy
In this episode, Will talks with Colin MacDonald, co-founder of Not Therapy Coaching. Colin shares his journey from being a wilderness therapy client and therapeutic boarding school student to gradua…
234: Enhancing Adventure Therapy Practice: Insights from Westminster University
In this episode Will talks with Dr. Patrick McMillon and Alex White from Westminster University in Utah. They discuss the Graduate Certificate in Adventure Therapy, a program designed to train clinic…
233: Wilderness Therapy Under Fire: A Deep Dive with Reporter Jessica Miller
In this timely episode, Jessica Miller from the Salt Lake Tribune shares insights from her investigative article on the closures of wilderness therapy programs for teens in Utah. She discusses the fa…
232: Exploring Outdoor Therapy with David Wynn from Blue Ridge Treks
In this episode Will chats with David Wynn, LCMHC, an outdoor mental health provider from Blue Ridge Treks. David shares his transformative journey from a river guide and camp mentor to a mental heal…
231: Surf Therapy: A New Wave in Therapeutic Practices with Cash Lambert
In this compelling episode, Will engages with Cash Lambert about his groundbreaking new book, "Surf Therapy: The Evidence-Based Science for Physical, Mental, and Emotional Well-being." Cash discusses…
230: Everest Inc.: Debunking Myths with Author Will Cockrell
In this episode, Will talks with Will Cockrell, author of the new book, "Everest Inc.: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World." Cockrell delves into the untold stories…
229: Healing in the Outdoors: 'No Child Left Inside” author Bryn Lottig on the Journey to Emotional Well-being
In this episode, Will talks with Bryn Lottig who shares her compelling journey from an aspiring pilot changed by 9/11 to a pioneering force in the field of outdoor experiential education. Through her…
228: Embark's Closure of New Visions and the Future of Wilderness Therapy
In this special episode, Will sheds light on the upheaval in the wilderness therapy landscape, particularly spotlighting the closure of Embark Behavioral Health's New Visions Wilderness Therapy progr…
227: From Military to Mindfulness: Tripp Johnson's Journey to Behavioral Healthcare Innovation
In this enlightening conversation, Will talks with Tripp Johnson who shares his unique journey into behavioral healthcare and his evolution into a social entrepreneur. His accidental entry into the …
226: From Addiction to Adventure: How Nature Transforms Lives with Nate Bennick
In this episode Will sits down with Nate Bennick, the National Field Director for Adventure Recovery, to dive into the transformative power of combining mental health treatment with outdoor adventure…
225: Embracing Adventure for Recovery: The Foundation House Experience
In this episode Will talks with Dan Schmader, the Program Director at Foundation House, to delve into the therapeutic integration of outdoor activities in the realm of mental health and addiction r…
224: Navigating Controversy: Dr. Madolyn Liebing's Take on Wilderness Therapy's Future and Addiction Treatment in Outdoor Settings
In this enlightening episode Will sits down with Dr. Madolyn Liebing, a historical figure in the wilderness therapy field and the clinical director at Legacy Outdoor Adventures and Juniper Recovery …
223: Recovery in the Outdoors: Roy DuPrez's Journey to Sobriety and the Back2Basics Story
In this episode Will sits down with Roy DuPrez, CEO and Founder of Back2Basics, an outdoor-based recovery program in Arizona. Roy shares his personal journey of recovery, beginning with his early st…