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
263: The Rise of Nature-Based Therapy: A Conversation with Katie Asmus
In this engaging conversation, Will welcomes back Katie Asmus, founder of the Somatic Nature Therapy Institute, to discuss the evolution of her work integrating nature-based therapy, somatic awarenes…
262: The Evolution of Outdoor Therapy Research: Dr. Tucker & Dr. Norton on the Outdoor Research Collaborative for Health, Wellbeing, and Experiential Engagement
In this episode Will talks with Dr. Anita Tucker and Dr. Christine Norton about the transformation of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Center into the newly established Outdoor Research Col…
261: Can AI Be Your Outdoor Therapist? A Real-World Experiment in Mental Health & Nature
Want to listen to an outdoor therapy session? In this episode Will embarks on a personal experiment inspired by Reid Hoffman’s new book, Superagency. After reading about AI’s potential role in menta…
260: Myths, Groups & Outdoor Mental Health: Brant Evans on Ancient Wisdom in Modern Therapy
What can ancient myths teach us about group dynamics, leadership, and mental health? In this episode Will sits down with Brant Evans (pen name Brant Elwood), co-author of Gods, Heroes, and Groups, t…
259: The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act: What It Means for Outdoor Behavioral Health
In this Will speaks with Derek Daley, the incoming president of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), about the transformative implications of the Stop Institutional …
258: From Survival Skills to Life Skills: John Tobias on Red Cedar Transitions
In this episode Will talks with John Tobias, founder of Red Cedar Transitions. John shares his journey from working at Boulder Outdoor Survival School to Aspen Achievement Academy and other wildernes…
256: Inside Elements: New Models, Neurodiverse Focus, and the Future of Wilderness Therapy
In this episode Will talks with John Karren, co-founder of Elements Programs. John reflects on how Elements has evolved over its 17-year history, moving from a strictly nomadic wilderness model to mo…
255: Hell Camp: Teen Nightmare – Exploring Wilderness Therapy’s Complicated Past
In this special episode Will takes a deep dive into the Netflix documentary Hell Camp: Teen Nightmare, which explores the infamous Challenger Foundation—a adolescent wilderness therapy program in the…
254: From Wilderness to Evolution: How True North Transformed Its Therapeutic Model
In this episode Will reconnects with Mod Barefoot Maves, who last appeared on the podcast just before the pandemic in February 2020. Mod shares the remarkable evolution of the Vermont-based program f…
253: Navigating Change in Wilderness Therapy: Insights from Andrew Taylor
In this episode Will reconnects with Andrew Taylor, founder of Pure Life Adventure in Costa Rica and the podcast's very first guest in 2018. Andrew shares the significant developments at Pure Life ov…
252: After Open Sky: How Danny Frazer is Shaping the Future with Gain the Ridge
In this episode Will engages in a profound conversation with Danny Frazer, co-founder of the former Open Sky Wilderness Therapy program and founder of Gain the Ridge Consulting. Danny shares his jour…
251: Addressing Controversy by Transparency: A Conversation with Summit Achievement's CEO
In this episode Will reconnects with Nichol Ernst, CEO of Summit Achievement, an adolsecent residential treatment program in Maine. Nichol shares his journey from starting as a field staff member 21 …
250: From Adventure Therapy to Disaster Relief: PIVOTPoint's Journey Amidst Turmoil
In the milestone 250th episode, Will reconnects with Matt Nannis, founder of PIVOTPoint, an experiential adventure program based in Western North Carolina. Since their last conversation in 2022, PIVO…
249: From Wilderness to Well-being: How Confluence Adapts to Changing Youth Challenges
In this episode Will reconnects with Bill Brown, co-founder of Confluence Behavioral Health in Vermont. Since their last conversation in 2019, Confluence has evolved significantly to meet the changin…
248: Confronting Challenges in Wilderness Therapy: A Conversation with Derek Daley
In this episode Will reconnects with Derek Daley, co-founder of Legacy Outdoor Adventures and a seasoned professional with over 25 years in wilderness therapy. Derek shares how Legacy has evolved sin…
247: Surviving the Storms: Insights into the Shifting Landscape of Wilderness Therapy
In the opening episode of Season 21, host Will White delves into the significant transformations occurring within the wilderness therapy field for adolescents and young adults, paralleling them with …
246: Overcoming Anxiety: Dr. Alison LaFollette on ERP and Outdoor Therapy Integration
In this episode Will sits down with Dr. Alison LaFollette, the Clinical Director of Mountain Valley Treatment Center. Alison shares her journey from conducting neuropsychological evaluations in sever…
245: From Wilderness Therapy to Empowerment: Hayley Caddes' Journey with Not Therapy Coaching
In this episode Will talks with Hayley Caddes, co-founder of Not Therapy Coaching, about her powerful personal journey through wilderness therapy and an all-girls therapeutic boarding school. Hayley …
244: Wilderness Therapy for Addiction Recovery: JD and Amber’s Story
In this powerful episode Will speaks with JD and his mother, Amber, as they recount their powerful journey through wilderness therapy. JD opens up about the struggles that led him down a dangerous pa…
243: Saving Lives: How Wilderness Therapy Can Help People Struggling with Addiction and How the Harlan Serenity Foundation is Helping
In this deeply moving episode Will sits down with Melissa and Graham Squier, founders of the Harlan Serenity Foundation. This foundation, created in memory of their late son, Chris Squier, supports y…