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
182: Michelle King, co-author of "Into the Wilds: A Mothers Guide to Wilderness Therapy"
Michelle King is the co-author of the new book, "Into the Wilds: A Mothers Guide to Wilderness Therapy" and parent of a wilderness therapy student. The book includes the stories of Michelle enrolli…
181: York Ast, Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student
York Ast is the parent of a wilderness therapy student and the membership ambassador for Other Parents Like Me (OPLM.com), an online parent support platform. York shares his family's story of how the…
180: Liz Reitman, Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student and Co-founder of Other Parents Like Me
Liz Reitman is the parent of a wilderness therapy student and co-founder of Other Parents Like Me (OPLM.com), a subscription-based online platform for parents of young people struggling with mental h…
179: George J. Grinnell, author of "A Death on the Barrens: A True Story of Courage and Tragedy in the Canadian Arctic."
George Grinnell is the author of "A Death on the Barrens: A True Story of Courage and Tragedy in the Canadian Arctic" and a retired history professor. George shares the harrowing tale of how, in 195…
178: Why I am leaving Wilderness Therapy
In this special episode, Will White, one of the co-founders of Summit Achievement, a hybrid wilderness therapy program in Maine, and host of the Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therap…
177: Lisa Sutton, Founder of Sutton Enterprises
Lisa Sutton is the founder and director of Sutton Enterprises. Lisa provides advice and outreach services for several young adult programs, including Bodhi Casa and Passages Alaska. Lisa is an elde…
176: Daniel Rogers, Director of CityScape Therapy
Daniel Rogers is the Director of CityScape Therapy in New York City, Alumni Coordinator of Legacy Outdoor Adventures in Utah, and a former wilderness therapy client. Daniel shares his journey into th…
175: Evan Oppenheimer, Primary Therapist at True North
Evan Oppenheimer is a young adult therapist at True North Wilderness Program in Vermont. Evan’s journey into the field began at a young age while living on Long Island, N.Y., and heading north in the…
174: Mark Oerther, Chief Development Officer at Balance House
Mark Oerther is the Chief Development Officer at Balance House, a young adult dual-diagnosis treatment program in Utah. Mark is a person with a purpose: to help young people and their families start…
173: Dr. Mona Treadway, Co-founder of Dragonfly Transitions
Mona Treadway is the Co-founder of Dragonfly Transitions located in Oregon. Mona is an insightful leader in the field and helped Dragonfly grow to have three separate locations where struggling young…
172: Bob Hennen, Primary Therapist at Emerald Arrow
Bob Hennen is a primary therapist at Blue Ridge Wilderness Therapy's Emerald Arrow, a young adult wilderness program in Georgia. Bob shares his unusual journey into the field, how wilderness therapy…
171: Carson McCord, Former Wilderness Therapy Student and Current Field Guide
Carson McCord is a former wilderness therapy student whose struggles with addiction and path to recovery are the subject of the book "Chasing Carson: A Family's Journey through Adolescence, Addiction…
170: Jill Allen, CEO of Brightstone Transitions
Jill Allen is the CEO of Brightstone Transitions in Georgia and Brightstone Family of Programs, including Wisdom Ranch in Idaho and Point School in Puerto Rico. Brightstone Family of Programs provid…
169: Alex Mufson, Founder and CEO of Aspen Growth Coaching
Alex Mufson is the founder and CEO of Aspen Growth Coaching, which is a team of "specialized coaches that help turn insight into sustainable action, supporting individuals and families to move toward…
168: Patrick Hawkins, Founder of Triple Divide Lodge
Patrick Hawkins is the founder of Triple Divide Lodge in Montana. Triple Divide Lodge is a 90-day program that combines residential treatment and wilderness therapy expeditions for boys ages 14-19. P…
167: Lucy Pritzker, author of “Crisis Interrupted: A Parents Guide to Residential Treatment for Children, Teens & Young Adults"
Lucy Pritzker is an author, educational consultant, and founder of Elm Street Placements, Inc. Lucy shares her journey into the field which began with one of her children began struggling at a young…
166. Matt Nannis, Founder and Executive Director of PIVOTpoint
Matt Nannis is the Founder and Executive Director of PIVOTpoint. PIVOTpoint is a non-profit organization that provides outpatient "Therapeutic Adventure Work" through various outdoor programs in and …
165. Beth Laughlin, Director of 360 Transition Services
Beth Laughlin is the Program Director and owner of 360 Transition Services which "helps adolescents and young adults successfully transition from treatment to home, college, or independence." Beth sh…
164. Psychological Testing and Wilderness Therapy
Dr. Todd Corelli (Drtoddtalks.com) is a clinical psychologist who has been providing psychological testing for young people in wilderness therapy programs for over 20 years. Todd discusses the benefi…
163: Mark Adamski, Founder of Wilderness Reboot
Mark Adamski is the founder of Wilderness Reboot, a new "alumni network for students after leaving wilderness therapy." Mark shares his journey into the field, from learning about outdoor leadership …