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.
216: Adventure Therapy for Anxiety: Exploring Dr. Stephanie Marti's Outpatient Practice
215: Addressing Anxiety Through Climbing: Noah Kleiner's Journey at Equinox Guiding Services
214: Advancing Adventure Therapy Certifications with Fred Borroel
213: Post-Pandemic Wilderness Therapy: Seven Trends in Outdoor Mental Health Practices
212: Exploring the Healing Power of the Outdoors in Mental Health Treatment with Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan
211: Psychotherapy on the Trail: Portland Hiking Therapy's Approach to Healing
210: Adolescent Anxiety and the Healing Power of the Outdoors: An Interview with Wilderness Therapist Justin Messinger
209: Addressing Anxiety & OCD with Mountain Valley Techniques: Zack Schafer's 'Fear Less' Insight's
208: Navigating Autism & Anxiety in College: The Transformative Power of Adventure
207: From Aspiro Wilderness/Adventure Therapy to Nature Based Preschool: Jenna Krueger’s Story
206: Harnessing the Outdoors: How Summit Achievement Addresses Adolescent Anxiety with Mike DeLuca
205: WinGate's Closure and the Future of Wilderness Therapy Programs
204: Nature-Based Healing: The Millcreek Experiential Approach with Jessica Jo Stenquist
203: Reimagining Therapy in the Outdoors: Darcy Holt's Path at Three Peaks Ascent
202: Running with Anxiety to Fear Less
201: Celebrating 20 Years of Wilderness Therapy Symposium
200: The End of Wilderness Therapy?
199: Finding Strength in Challenges: Dr. Hilary McCloy's Unwavering Spirit
198: "Buried"-A Story of Healing After A High Risk Adventure Goes Bad
197: A New Christian Wilderness Therapy Program!
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