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 82: Alex White, Adventure Therapy Outpatient Clinician
Alex White is an adventure therapy outpatient clinician. His journey into the field began as a child as his parents were mental health professionals. In college, he led outdoor orientation trips for …
Episode 81: Katie Asmus, Founder of the Somatic Wilderness Therapy Institute
Katie Asmus is the founder of the Somatic Wilderness Therapy Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Katie shares her journey into the field which began when she learned about outdoor education and committed…
Episode 80: Nick Magle-Haberek, Clinical Director of BaMidbar Wilderness Therapy
Nick Magle-Haberek is the clinical director of BaMidbar Wilderness Therapy and co-founder of Adventure-Therapist.com. Nick shares his story of experiences from working as a field guide at Second Natu…
Episode 79: Lorri Hanna, Co-founder of Soltreks
Lorri Hanna is co-founder of Soltreks. Lorri has had a long career in the field from being a field guide, program director, clinician and owner of a program. Her passion for wilderness therapy began …
Episode 78: Dr. Scott Bandoroff, Peak Experience Training
Dr. Scott Bandoroff is the founder of Peak Experience Training, which provides the Clinical First Responder Certification for those working in the field. Scott has worked in the field since the 1980…
Episode 77: COVID-19 and Wilderness Therapy Programs April 2020
What is going on in the field, and where is it going? Wilderness therapy is an essential service in every state in the nation, and most programs are operating during this early phase of the COVID-19…
Episode 76: David Wieder, Therapist at Legacy Outdoor Adventures
David Wieder is a therapist at Legacy Outdoor Adventures. He grew up in New Mexico and ended up, after traveling through Asia, going to Prescott College. He got his first job in wilderness in 2003 as…
Episode 75: Jacob Thomason, Parent and Family Specialist at Trails Carolina
Jacob Thomason is a Parent and Family Specialist at Trails Carolina. Jacob's journey into wilderness therapy began in his last semester in graduate school when he saw a help wanted flyer at an outdo…
Episode 74: Dr. Steven DeMille, Executive Director, RedCliff Ascent
Dr. Steve DeMille, Executive Director, RedCliff Ascent. He grew up outside of Las Vegas and was encouraged to work at a wilderness program by his sister after he was laid off from a job. He was hired…
Episode 73: Anne Wilzbacher, Primary Therapist at Blue Ridge Wilderness Therapy's Emerald Arrow
Anne Wilzbacher is a therapist at Blue Ridge Wilderness Therapy's Emerald Arrow. Her journey into the field began as a child growing up in a state park as her father was a park manager. She worked at…
Episode 72: Josh White, Co-founder and Executive Director of Red Mountain Sedona
Josh White is the Executive Director/Co-founder of Red Mountain Sedona. Josh's journey into the wilderness therapy field began while he was at Naropa University, where he first heard about the field.…
Episode 71: Steve Sawyer, Co-Founder/Chief Clinical Consultant of New Visions Wilderness
Steve Swayer is Co-Founder/Chief Clinical Consultant of New Visions Wilderness. Steve's journey into the wilderness field began after he had spent many years practicing as a licensed psychotherapist …
Episode 70: Dr. Brad Reedy, Clinical Director and Co-Owner of Evoke Therapy Programs
Dr. Brad Reedy is the Clinical Director/Co-Owner of Evoke Therapy Programs. Brad discusses his long career as a wilderness clinician as well as his newest book, "The Audacity to be You." He shares hi…
Episode 69: Kirsten Bolt, Clinical Therapist at Open Sky Wilderness Therapy
Kirsten Bolt is a clinical therapist at Open Sky. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and began her journey into the field in 2004 as a field guide at Aspen Achievement Academy (AAA). S…
Episode 68: Daniel Fishburn, Executive Director of SUWS of the Carolina's
Daniel Fishburn is the Executive Director of SUWS of the Carolina's. Daniel shares his journey into wilderness therapy, which first began in 1987 when he worked as staff at Wediko, a therapeutic summ…
Episode 67: Madhurii Barefoot, Co-founder and Co-owner of True North Wilderness Therapy
Madhurii Barefoot, Co-founder, and Co-owner of True North Wilderness in Vermont. Mod was born and raised in Vermont and went to boarding school, where she was first exposed to wilderness expeditions.…
Episode 66: Thom Pollard, Award Winning Documentary Filmmaker, Adventurer and Podcast Host
Thom Pollard is an Emmy award-winning Director of Photography and Filmmaker who has filmed from Easter Island to the summit of Mount Everest and everything in between. His adventure photographs have …
Episode 65: Anson McNulty, Operations Director and Co-Owner of Summit Achievement
Anson McNulty is the Operations Director and Co-Owner of Summit Achievement. Anson grew up in New York City, and at a young age, he was diagnosed with dyslexia and sent to boarding school for teens w…
Episode 64: Tim McMahon and Jason Cox, Co-Owners of Brightstone Transitions
Tim McMahon and Jason Cox are co-owners of Brightstone Transitions, a Young Adult Transitional Program. They met over a decade ago in Georgia when Tim was directing a state-funded wilderness therapy …
Episode 63: Sarah Gallimore, Field Guide at Elements Wilderness Therapy
Sarah Gallimore is a field guide at Elements Wilderness Therapy. Sarah grew up in New Hampshire and went to the UNH for college, which is where she learned about wilderness therapy. Sarah shares how…