Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
Health & Fitness:Mental Health
In this special episode Will discusses the announcement of the upcoming closure of Open Sky Wilderness Therapy, marking a significant moment in the private pay, adolescent-focused wilderness therapy sector. This closure is part of a larger trend, as Open Sky is the fifth program of its kind to shut down within a year. The episode offers an in-depth analysis of these closures, examining common challenges such as shifting societal perceptions, increased competition from other types of mental health treatment, and economic difficulties.
Listeners are taken through a journey beginning with a reading of Open Sky's closure announcement, offering a personal and direct insight into the issues faced by the program. The episode revisits previous interviews with Open Sky employees, highlighting their dedication to providing exceptional outdoor mental health care for adolescents. In a reflective essay, the Will draws parallels between the current state of wilderness therapy and a 'winter' phase – a time for introspection and preparation for future growth.
Significantly, the episode also revisits a January 2021 interview with Kenneth Rosen, author of “Troubled: The Failed Promise of America’s Behavioral Treatment Programs”, who had predicted these closures in a conversation with Will. This discussion offers a unique perspective on the challenges and criticisms facing the adolescent wilderness therapy sector, providing a comprehensive understanding of its evolution and the potential paths forward. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the complex dynamics of wilderness therapy and the factors shaping its future.
We want to thank Adventure Recovery for underwriting Season 18 which focuses on addiction and recovery.
Listeners are invited to explore the rich archives of over 200 episodes of this podcast on Stories from the Field.com.
Episode 56: John Conway, Director of Business Development- Edge Learning and Wellness Community
Episode 55: Emily (Jonesie) Jones, Senior Field Guide at Open Sky Wilderness
Episode 54: Meaghan Farrell, Field Guide at Elements Traverse
Episode 53: Phil Bryan, Clinical Assistant at Evoke Entrada
Episode 52: Jory Hanselman, Director of BaMidbar Wilderness Therapy
Episode 51: Chris Luchesi, Field Guide at Legacy Outdoor Adventures
Episode 50: Guy Dumas, Founder of Guy Dumas Coaching
Episode 49: Dr. Christine Norton, Associate Professor of Social Work at Texas State University
Episode 48: Shannon Palentchar, Director of Admissions at Summit Achievement
Episode 47: Emily Fernandes, Co-founder and Executive Director at Open Sky Wilderness
Episode 46: Hilary Moses, Co-owner of Solutions Parenting Support
Episode 45: Joanna Lilley, Founder of Lilley Consulting
Episode 44: Karen Scrafford, Co-founder of Elements Wilderness Therapy
Episode 43: Dr. Justine O'Donnell, O'Donnell Psychological Testing
Episode 42: Anngela Wells Starnes, Director of Admissions for Q and A Associates
Episode 41: Tracey Bachrach, Director of Business Development at Point School Puerto Rico
Episode 40: Margie Lannon, Co-founder of Onward Transitions
Episode 39: Lily Wilkinson, Outreach Director at Aim House
Episode 38: Audrey Peavey, Outreach Director at Potomac Pathways.
Episode 37: Angie Shockley, Founder Q & A Associates
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