146: Margo Kelly, Course Leader/Therapist at True North
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
Release Date: 11/16/2021
292: The Anti-Program Approach: Belay Life’s Immersive Adventure Model
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
What happens when a wilderness guide, therapist, and seasoned mentor decides that traditional treatment programs no longer fit the needs of young adults? In this episode, Will speaks with Andrew “Chappy” Chapman, an innovator who has blended decades of guiding, wilderness therapy work, and young adult mentoring into something entirely new: one-to-one immersive adventure model. Chappy traces his path from SUWS of Idaho to the early days of True North Wilderness Program and later to New Summit Academy in Costa Rica, each step shaping his understanding of how young adults learn, struggle,...
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291: Rethinking Therapeutic Consulting: A Conversation with Amanda Thomas
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
What if “consulting” in mental health meant more than just placement? In this episode Will speaks with Amanda Thomas, founder of , about how she and her team are reimagining therapeutic consulting for families navigating complex emotional and behavioral challenges. Their clinically informed, team-based approach blends therapy, coaching, and systems navigation to meet families where they are—often before residential or wilderness treatment becomes necessary. Drawing on her deep background in wilderness therapy and outdoor leadership, Amanda shares how Cobalt bridges the gap between...
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290: The Truths about Wilderness Therapy: What Outcome Research Shows
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
What do wilderness therapy outcomes really tell us? In this episode, Will talks with researchers Dr. Joanna Bettmann Schaefer and Dr. Laura Mills, two leading researchers studying outcomes in wilderness therapy and residential outdoor treatment. Drawing on data from thousands of adolescents across multiple programs, they reveal what the evidence shows about who benefits most—and who may not—from outdoor behavioral healthcare. Their conversation explores why family engagement is such a powerful predictor of success, how adopted and neurodiverse adolescents often experience different...
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289: Prescribing Nature: How to Be an Eco-Therapist
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
Dr. Patricia Hasbach of Northwest Ecotherapy joins Will to explore how clinicians can bring the healing power of nature into their therapeutic work. Drawing from her new book Patricia shares her journey from traditional therapy settings to incorporating the natural world as an active partner in treatment. She explains the concept of the “ecological self” and how reconnecting clients with nature can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress while deepening connection and meaning. Patricia also offers practical guidance on writing “nature prescriptions,” navigating ethical considerations,...
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288: Kids These Days: Rethinking Youth Mental Health
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
Why are so many young people struggling—and are adults partly to blame? Dr. Will Dobud and Dr. Nevin Harper return to Stories from the Field to talk with Will about their bold new book, Kids These Days: Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health. Building on their past appearances, they explore why youth mental health keeps declining despite unprecedented access to therapy, medication, and awareness—and what adults can do to change the story. Drawing on decades of research and global experience, they challenge the assumption that kids are the problem, pointing instead to the...
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287: The Nature Fix: The Science of the Outdoors and Mental Health
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
Journalist and bestselling author Florence Williams joins Will to explore how time outdoors can transform our minds and bodies. Drawing from her acclaimed book The Nature Fix and her retreats around the world, Florence shares what first inspired her to study the science of nature’s impact on mental health — and how awe, quiet, and sunlight can rewire our brains for calm and connection. They discuss the “three-day effect,” the power of forest bathing, and simple daily practices anyone can use to bring more nature into life — even in cities. Whether you’re a reader of The Nature Fix...
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286: The Trade Program: Earn While Growing, Learn By Doing
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this week’s episode, Will welcomes experiential educator Greg Hitchcock, who shares the story of —a paid apprenticeship and next-step program for young adults who feel stuck or unsure of their direction. Based on 2,000 acres in New Hampshire, helps participants learn by doing and earn while growing through hands-on training in the trades, including forestry, woodworking, construction, automotive, hospitality, and more. Apprentices live together in a supportive, therapeutic-style community, earning wages from day one while building life skills, confidence, and independence through real...
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285: Grief, Healing, and the Outdoors: The Bright Shadow Approach
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode Will speaks with Somerville Johnston, co-founder of , a nonprofit dedicated to helping people navigate grief and loss through nature-based retreats and community support. Somerville shares how her background in Outward Bound, somatic therapy, and adventure programs led to the creation of Bright Shadow, which began with grief retreats for whitewater kayakers and has since expanded to serve a wider community. Together, Will and Somerville explore the power of the outdoors to hold grief, foster connection, and invite healing. They discuss the unique ways blends ceremony,...
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284: Nature-Based Mental Health: The LifeWays Approach
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode, Will sits down with Chris Brown, founder of the in Durango, Colorado. Lifeways offers a unique blend of outpatient therapy and guided outdoor experiences—from rock climbing and backpacking to family retreats and professional trainings—all rooted in the “four rooms” model of mind, body, heart, and soul. Chris shares how his team is expanding access by partnering with nonprofits, providing grant-funded programs for teens, and accepting Medicaid and major insurers to reduce barriers to care. He also reflects on why shorter, voluntary wilderness experiences can be...
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283: Alone Winner Nathan Olsen on Survival, Wilderness Therapy and Family
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
In this episode, Will welcomes back Nathan Olsen—winner of the latest season of Alone. Nathan’s roots in wilderness survival run deep: his father, Larry Dean Olsen, was a pioneer in the early years of wilderness therapy, and Nathan grew up immersed in the outdoors through helping out at the Anasazi Foundation and other wilderness programs. We explore his journey in South Africa’s Great Karoo Desert, how a lifetime of “dirt time” in wilderness therapy shaped his survival skills, and the reflections on family, purpose, and the changing field of wilderness therapy. Nathan also shares...
info_outlineMargo Kelly, MSW, MEd (they/them/theirs) is a course leader/therapist at True North in Vermont. Their journey to wilderness therapy began on a backpacking trip on the Long Trail when they came upon three different people who pointed them in the direction of True North. Margo was intrigued with an offer to be a therapist for the all-gender team and took the job.
Margo shares their gender journey, their recommendations for treatment with trans and non-binary youth, and why wilderness therapy works so well.
Margo's bio from the True North Website:
Margo (they/them/theirs) was born and raised in Chicago. They spent their childhood swimming in Lake Michigan, road tripping with their family, and camping throughout the Midwest. They received a bachelor’s degree from University of Washington in Seattle, studying Early Education and Anthropology. Margo then traveled to Romania to work with children living in group homes, gaining insight in how environments influence children’s resiliency and practicing a strength-based approach within a different worldview. Margo returned to Seattle and spent 8 years working in public schools to build students’ social emotional skills and provide wrap-around services for families.
Margo went on to work with clients in crisis who were experiencing sexual assault or domestic violence. This work propelled Margo to earn their Master of Social Work and Master of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University in Philadelphia, PA. In graduate school, Margo gained valuable experience at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia within the Gender and Sexuality Clinic and Adolescent Health fellowship. They have experience supporting adolescents and young adults with anxiety, depression, disordered eating, gender variance, relationship health, and neurodiversity. Margo specializes in gender and sexuality development, identity formation, and sexual and relationship health.
Margo approaches therapy from a relational, trauma-sensitive, and strengths-based perspective and believes the wilderness offers experiential learning that cultivates growth within the mind, body, and spirit.
Throughout all their work, Margo maintained a strong connection to the outdoors in their personal life, backpacking throughout the pacific northwest, west coast, and now the northeast. Margo continues to enjoy the outdoors through hiking, camping, biking, or snowshoeing. They can also be found puzzling, dancing, rollerblading, cooking, or stooping on their front porch.
For more information about Margo and their group at True North, please take a moment to watch this brief video.