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.
156: Casie Fariello, Co-founder of Other Parents Like Me
155: Dr. Thomas Doherty: Ecopsychology Researcher, Therapist and Podcaster
154: Trauma and Wilderness Therapy
153: The Legacy of Adam Tsapis
152: Dr. Madolyn Liebing, Clinical Director of Legacy Outdoor Adventures and Juniper Recovery Center for Women
151: Dawn McCord, author of "Chasing Carson: A Family's Journey through Adolescence, Addiction and Recovery"
150: How is the Wilderness Therapy Field Changing?
149: Tami Ann, author of "A Wilderness Journey: The Story of a Teen’s Road to Healing"
148: After Wilderness Therapy
147: Learning differences and Wilderness Therapy
146: Margo Kelly, Course Leader/Therapist at True North
145: Jamila Minnifield: Primary Therapist at First Light Wilderness Therapy
144: How to get Insurance Reimbursement for Wilderness Therapy
143: Financial Help for Wilderness Therapy Treatment, Part 2
142: Financial Help for Wilderness Therapy Treatment, Part 1
141: Philip Stallard, Founder of New Wave Wild Project in Ireland
140: Harpa Erlendsdottir: Manager of the Icelandic Adventure Therapy Association.
139: Andy Hardie: Clinical Manager at Venture Trust in the United Kingdom
138: Cindy Ross, author of "Walking Toward Peace-Veterans Healing on America's Trails"
137: Jorge Venceslau, Co-founder of Age of Discoveries in Portugal.
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