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 76: David Wieder, Therapist at Legacy Outdoor Adventures
Episode 75: Jacob Thomason, Parent and Family Specialist at Trails Carolina
Episode 74: Dr. Steven DeMille, Executive Director, RedCliff Ascent
Episode 73: Anne Wilzbacher, Primary Therapist at Blue Ridge Wilderness Therapy's Emerald Arrow
Episode 72: Josh White, Co-founder and Executive Director of Red Mountain Sedona
Episode 71: Steve Sawyer, Co-Founder/Chief Clinical Consultant of New Visions Wilderness
Episode 70: Dr. Brad Reedy, Clinical Director and Co-Owner of Evoke Therapy Programs
Episode 69: Kirsten Bolt, Clinical Therapist at Open Sky Wilderness Therapy
Episode 68: Daniel Fishburn, Executive Director of SUWS of the Carolina's
Episode 67: Madhurii Barefoot, Co-founder and Co-owner of True North Wilderness Therapy
Episode 66: Thom Pollard, Award Winning Documentary Filmmaker, Adventurer and Podcast Host
Episode 65: Anson McNulty, Operations Director and Co-Owner of Summit Achievement
Episode 64: Tim McMahon and Jason Cox, Co-Owners of Brightstone Transitions
Episode 63: Sarah Gallimore, Field Guide at Elements Wilderness Therapy
Episode 62: Samuel Adams, Lead Field Guide at Aspiro Adventures
Episode 61: Norman Elizondo, Family Wellness Counselor at Open Sky Wilderness Therapy
Episode 60: Doug Dobkowski, Team Leader at Summit Achievement
Episode 59: Zhenda Glover, Field Guide at Evoke Cascades
Episode 58: Rachel Rollins, Therapist at Juniper Canyon
Episode 57: L. Jay Mitchell, Co-founder of SUWS, Founder of Alldredge Academy and Greenbrier Academy
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