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
122: Flint Barber, Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student
Flint Barber is a parent of a teen who attended a wilderness program. Flint's journey begins with how he had "no idea" about his son's challenges until a neighbor informed him, which started Flint on…
121: Mark Synnott, author of "The Third Pole: Mystery, Obsession, and Death on Everest"
Mark Synnott is a climber, writer, father, and The North Face Athlete. His newest book, "The Third Pole: Mystery, Obsession, and Death on Mount Everest," is an in-depth look into the history of Mount…
120: Tami Ann: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student and Aspiring Author
Tami Ann is an aspiring writer working on a book about her experiences of being a parent of a teen who went to a wilderness therapy program. Tami shares her journey into the wilderness field that beg…
119: Brenda Zane: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student and Podcaster
Brenda Zane is the host of the podcast "Hopestream" and has an online space to help moms with struggling teens. Brenda shares her journey into the wilderness field that began when her teenager was us…
118: Louise Slater: Educational Consultant and Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student
Louise Slater is an educational consultant at The Price Group and is the parent of a former wilderness student. Louise shares the story of her family's struggles with different treatment options befo…
117: Josh Flaherty, Executive Director of Adventure Recovery
Josh Flaherty is Executive Director of Adventure Recovery (AR). Josh's love for adventure began as a child when he traveled to national parks with his family. After college, he pursued a path as a ro…
116: A History of Controversies Part 2, Kenneth Rosen follow up
In this second controversies episode, we explore the history of more controversies related to the field. We review the history of staff training and wages for field guides. We explore why programs ar…
115: A History of Controversies, Part 1
In this special two-part episode, we explore the history of controversies related to the field. Part 1 has five segments. We discuss the outdoor aspect of wilderness therapy and how did it all begin.…
114: Jessica Dallman, Founder of Natural Wisdom Counseling
Jessica Dallman is the founder of Natural Wisdom Counseling. Jessica's journey into the field began at a young age by being raised by veterinarian parents and growing up on a rural vet clinic. Jessi…
113: Chaim Livneh, Senior Staff for Juvenile Probation Services for Israel
Chaim Livneh, Senior Staff for Juvenile Probation Services for Israel. Chaim's journey into the field started as a child in the U.S. and then to Israel when his family emigrated there when he was a t…
112: Kenneth R. Rosen, author of "Troubled: The Failed Promise of America's Behavioral Treatment Programs"
Kenneth R. Rosen is the author of "Troubled: The Failed Promise of America's Behavioral Treatment Programs" and is an award-winning journalist who has written for the New York Times. Ken's journey in…
111: Tony Alvarez, Founder of Alvarez Consulting, author, agent of change
Tony Alvarez is the founder of Alvarez Consulting. Tony's journey into the field starts in the Philippines, where he was born and raised before coming to the U.S. Tony shares his story of being part …
110: Aaron Leonard, Campaign Representative for Sierra Club Military Outdoors
Aaron Leonard is Campaign Representative for Sierra Club Military Outdoors. He became involved in the field while serving in the U.S. Army when he participated in an Outward Bound for Veterans expedi…
109: Dr. Will Dobud, Teacher and Researcher at Charles Sturt University, author, outpatient practitioner
Will Dobud is a lecturer at Charles Sturt University in Australia. He is co-editor of the book "Outdoor Therapies" and is the founder of True North Expeditions located in Australia. Will shares his j…
108: Dr. Bobbi Beale: Co-founder of Life Adventures for All Consulting, Author and Podcaster
Bobbi Beale is Co-founder of Life Adventures for All Consulting which supports programs, agencies, and organizations to achieve their goals for improving the lives of their clients by providing trai…
107: Russell Chamberlain, Founder of LifeSTREAM Therapy
Russell Chamberlain is the founder of LifeSTREAM Therapy located in Portland, OR. LifeSTREAM's motto is "Life Success Through Relationship in Experiential & Adventure Modes." Russell has worked in th…
106: Dr. Nevin Harper, Associate Professor at the University of Victoria and co-edited the books "Outdoor Therapies" and "Nature Based-Therapies."
Dr. Nevin Harper is an Associate Professor at the University of Victoria and co-edited the books "Outdoor Therapies" and "Nature Based-Therapies." Nevin shares his journey from being raised in rural …
105: Kim Sacksteder, Co-founder of Adventure-Therapist.com and so much more.
Kim Sacksteder is co-founder of Adventure-Therapist.com and residential clinical supervisor of the adventure therapy program at the Buckeye Ranch in Ohio. Kim shares her journey into the field and ho…
104: Tim Walsh, Founder of Adventure Recovery
Tim Walsh is the founder of Adventure Recovery in CT. Tim’s journey into the field started at a young age due to trauma and addiction. Tim shares that in his 20’s while in treatment he “walked throug…
103: Emily Isaacs, Founder of Emily Isaacs Counseling
Emily Isaacs is the founder of Emily Isaacs Counseling in Colorado. Emily's journey into the wilderness therapy field began in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco where she grew up. Emily sh…