Episode 17: Lynn Smith, Co-founder of Elements Wilderness Program
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Release Date: 01/24/2019
149: Tami Ann, author of "A Wilderness Journey: The Story of a Teen’s Road to Healing"
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Tami Ann is the author of the new book, "A Wilderness Journey: The Story of a Teen’s Road to Healing" which is a heartfelt memoir about her son's and her family's wilderness therapy journey at a primitive skills-oriented wilderness program. Tami describes the writing of the book, the influence of Joseph Campbell on the framework, and how she involved family in the process. Tami shares what she learned about herself while writing the book and recommendations for parents of young people in wilderness therap
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148: After Wilderness Therapy
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
What happens after a young person discharges from a wilderness therapy program? Do they transition home, therapeutic boarding school, or to a traditional school environment? This episode discusses aftercare planning at wilderness therapy programs for teens and how it has changed over 20 years, with more young people returning home or other traditional settings with support from coaches and outpatient therapists.
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147: Learning differences and Wilderness Therapy
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Wilderness therapy programs have evolved over the last twenty years to better help those with learning differences that impact mental health. Many young people who enroll in wilderness therapy programs have undiagnosed learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, etc., that need to be addressed for a healthy change to occur.
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146: Margo Kelly, Course Leader/Therapist at True North
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Margo 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.
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145: Jamila Minnifield: Primary Therapist at First Light Wilderness Therapy
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Jamila Minnifield is a therapist at First Light Wilderness in Georgia. Jamila shares the story of her unusual journey to becoming a wilderness therapist, from her serendipitous learning about wilderness therapy on a backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail to being a field guide for over two years, although having already achieved her masters in counseling. Jamila is a trailblazer as she is the second black woman therapist in the field, and she is the first who was a field guide before being a therapist.
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144: How to get Insurance Reimbursement for Wilderness Therapy
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Mary Covington is the President of Denials Management, a healthcare advocacy firm specializing in mental health billing, claims, and appeals. Mary explains the critical steps in getting insurance reimbursement for wilderness therapy and how to appeal a denied insurance claim. Mary shares how insurance companies view outdoor behavioral healthcare and how Denials Management has helped parents recoup over 12 million dollars in reimbursement from insurance companies for wilderness therapy treatment.
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143: Financial Help for Wilderness Therapy Treatment, Part 2
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
The cost of wilderness therapy treatment is expensive, yet several organizations will help. In this second of two episodes, we hear stories from leaders of non-profit organizations that help families by providing funds to help pay for wilderness therapy treatment. We talk with John Hunt from Jason William Hunt Foundation, Liz Bounds from the Parker Bounds Johnson Foundation, and Derek Daley from the Loa Fund. We will hear about the history of the organizations, how to apply for funds, and other resources.
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142: Financial Help for Wilderness Therapy Treatment, Part 1
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
The cost of wilderness therapy treatment is expensive, yet several organizations will help. In this episode, we hear stories from leaders of non-profit organizations that help families by providing funds to help pay for wilderness therapy treatment. We talk with Debbie Roelands from Skys the Limit Fund, Brad Matheson from Choose Mental Health, and Miriam Miller from Charles N Miller Scholarship fund. They will share the history of the organizations, how to apply for funds and other resources for families.
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141: Philip Stallard, Founder of New Wave Wild Project in Ireland
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Phil Stallard is the founder of the New Wave Wild Project in Ireland. Philip is the first person outside of the U.S. to become a Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist. Philip's journey into the field was filled was paved with the intention of legitimizing the Adventure Therapy profession in Ireland. He shares his story of how he became interested in the field and why he choose to become a clinical social worker. He goes into the evolution of New Wave and why he was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year.
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140: Harpa Erlendsdottir: Manager of the Icelandic Adventure Therapy Association.
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Harpa Erlendsdottir is a clinical occupational therapist and the General Manager of the Icelandic Adventure Therapy Association. Growing up in the majestic beauty of Iceland inspired Harpa to become involved in the field. She shares her story of being involved in Scouting and learning about Experiential Education. She would travel to the U.S. to take a course at Project Adventure to learn more. She shares stories about her experiences in the field and the Gathering of Adventure Therapists in Europe.
info_outlineWill talks with Lynn Smith, Co-Founder and Director of Family Services of Elements Wilderness Program. Lynn shares his journey from growing up in California to joining Aspen Achievement Academy in 1994 to co-founding Elements Wilderness in 2008.