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
142: Financial Help for Wilderness Therapy Treatment, Part 1
The cost of wilderness therapy treatment is expensive, yet several organizations will help. In this episode, we hear stories from leaders of non-profit organizations that help families by providing f…
141: Philip Stallard, Founder of New Wave Wild Project in Ireland
Phil Stallard is the founder of the New Wave Wild Project in Ireland. Philip is the first person outside of the U.S. to become a Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist. Philip's journey into the fiel…
140: Harpa Erlendsdottir: Manager of the Icelandic Adventure Therapy Association.
Harpa Erlendsdottir is a clinical occupational therapist and the General Manager of the Icelandic Adventure Therapy Association. Growing up in the majestic beauty of Iceland inspired Harpa to become …
139: Andy Hardie: Clinical Manager at Venture Trust in the United Kingdom
Andy Hardie is the Clinical Manager of Venture Trust in the United Kingdom. Andy shares his journey into the field, which began when heading to the only university that accepted him to study Outdoor …
138: Cindy Ross, author of "Walking Toward Peace-Veterans Healing on America's Trails"
Cindy Ross is the author of the new book, "Walking Toward Peace- Veterans Healing on America's Trails," which profiles combat veterans who found healing through the outdoors as well as long-distance…
137: Jorge Venceslau, Co-founder of Age of Discoveries in Portugal.
Jorge Venceslau is the program director and co-founder of Age of Discoveries, located in Portugal. Jorge's journey into the field began in his early 20's when he struggled with several issues and fou…
136: Dr. Virginie Gargano, Founder of Dehors and Professor of Social Work
Dr. Virginie Gargano is the founder of Dehors an adventure therapy training program located in Quebec, Canada. She is also a professor of Social Work at Université Laval and is a researcher, teacher,…
135: Graham Pringle, Program Director of Youth Flourish Outdoors in Australia
Graham Pringle is the program director at Youth Flourish Outdoors (YFO) in Australia. Graham shares his story of how he became involved in outdoor therapy after a stint in the military and why it is …
134: Ray Burke: Founder and CEO of Active Connections in Ireland
Ray Burke is the founder of Active Connections in Ireland. Ray shares his story of growing up in Dublin and finding solace in the woods from the challenges of the city. He would venture to the US to …
133: Natalia Ruiz de Cortázar Gracia : Psychologist and General Director of Experientia in Spain
Natalia Ruiz de Cortázar Gracia is a psychologist and general director of Experientia located in Spain. Natalia shares how she first heard about wilderness therapy when she was a graduate student in …
132: Research:Transporting Young People to Wilderness: Part 2
This second research episode examines a recently published qualitative study regarding transporting teens to wilderness therapy programs with the researcher Dr. Will Dobud, an affiliated research sci…
131: Research:Transporting Young People to Wilderness: Part 1
This episode examines research studies regarding transporting teens to wilderness therapy programs with Dr. Christine Norton, a research scientist at the OBH Center at UNH. Transporting unwilling par…
130: The Research at the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center
In this episode, Dr. Mike Gass talks about research in the field of wilderness therapy that is occurring at the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Center (obhcenter.org) at the University of New Hampshire…
129: Scott Vee: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student
Scott Vee is a parent of a wilderness therapy student. Scott shares the journey of trying to help his teenage son during the beginning of the pandemic. He explains how he heard about wilderness thera…
128: Jennifer Glazer: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student
Jennifer Glazer is a parent of a wilderness therapy student from Mass. Jennifer shares her journey of trying to help her teenage son during the beginning of the pandemic. She explains how they had tr…
127: Cynthia Cohen: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student and Educational Consultant
Cynthia Cohen is a parent of a wilderness therapy student and educational consultant. Cynthia shares her family's journey of trying to help their teenage son while living in New York City over a deca…
126: Jill Needleman: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student
Jill Needleman is an educator and a parent of a wilderness therapy student. Jill shares her family's journey of helping her eighth-grade son get help for emotional struggles that caused him to refuse…
125: Katie McDevitt: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student
Katie McDevitt is a mother of five children in Illinois. Katie shares her family's journey of helping her oldest son get help for overwhelming anxiety and depression that he dealt with by substance u…
124: Carolyn Lambert: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student and Parent Coach
Carolyn Lambert is the founder of Nathans WayPoint a parent coaching service. Carolyn shares her challenging journey of helping both of her teenagers get help for crippling anxiety and depression. Ca…
123: Andy Goldstrom: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student, Podcaster and Parent Coach
Andy Goldstrom is a parent of a former wilderness student. When Andy's daughter began high school she struggled with behavioral issues. Andy and his wife, Lori, tried various ways to help their daugh…