Episode 17: Lynn Smith, Co-founder of Elements Wilderness Program
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Release Date: 01/24/2019
124: Carolyn Lambert: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student and Parent Coach
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Carolyn Lambert is the founder of Nathans WayPoint a parent coaching service. Carolyn shares her challenging journey of helping both of her teenagers get help for crippling anxiety and depression. Carolyn helped her son enroll in a residential treatment program and two years later her daughter asked for help and was enrolled in a wilderness therapy program. Carolyn shares the challenges she faced in getting help for her teenager and how it changed the course of her own life to help parents through coachin
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123: Andy Goldstrom: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student, Podcaster and Parent Coach
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Andy Goldstrom is a parent of a former wilderness student. When Andy's daughter began high school she struggled with behavioral issues. Andy and his wife, Lori, tried various ways to help their daughter but to no avail. They learned about wilderness therapy and decided to have their daughter transported to Pacific Quest in Hawaii. Andy shares his family's treatment journey and how their lives changed. Andy is now a parent coach and host of the "Wilderness Therapy and Residential Treatment Journey" podcast.
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122: Flint Barber, Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Flint Barber is a parent of a teen who attended a wilderness program. Flint's journey begins with how he had "no idea" about his son's challenges until a neighbor informed him, which started Flint onto the path of wilderness. Flint recounts trying to convince his son to attend Anasazi and that his son replied, "you will need to have me kidnapped." Flint shares the most challenging day of his life when his son ran away from Anasazi. He shares what he has learned through the process and advice for parents.
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121: Mark Synnott, author of "The Third Pole: Mystery, Obsession, and Death on Everest"
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Mark Synnott is a climber, writer, father, and The North Face Athlete. His newest book, "The Third Pole: Mystery, Obsession, and Death on Mount Everest," is an in-depth look into the history of Mount Everest and what drives people to climb the tallest mountain in the world. Mark shares his journey from being a big wall climber who would never think of climbing Everest to a convert who would risk it all to get to the top of the mountain and the bottom of the mystery of who was the first to climb Everest.
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120: Tami Ann: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student and Aspiring Author
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Tami Ann is an aspiring writer working on a book about her experiences of being a parent of a teen who went to a wilderness therapy program. Tami shares her journey into the wilderness field that began when her teenager was spiraling down in a cycle of depression and drug use. They tried all types of therapy until they settled on wilderness therapy. Her husband brought her son to Open Sky, and they all began the process of change. Tami shares what she learned through the process and advice for parents.
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119: Brenda Zane: Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student and Podcaster
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Brenda Zane is the host of the podcast "Hopestream" and has an online space to help moms with struggling teens. Brenda shares her journey into the wilderness field that began when her teenager was using drugs and she was unable to find a local resource that could make a difference. She met with an educational consultant who taught her about wilderness therapy and her son was transported to Elements Wilderness Therapy. Brenda shares what she learned through the process and how she is now helping others.
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118: Louise Slater: Educational Consultant and Parent of a Wilderness Therapy Student
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Louise Slater is an educational consultant at The Price Group and is the parent of a former wilderness student. Louise shares the story of her family's struggles with different treatment options before deciding to place their son in a wilderness therapy program in Georgia in 2004. Louise tells us about what her family's wilderness experience was like, what she and her family learned from the process, and how the field has changed over the years. She shares how she helps parents prepare for the wilderness.
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117: Josh Flaherty, Executive Director of Adventure Recovery
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
Josh Flaherty is Executive Director of Adventure Recovery (AR). Josh's love for adventure began as a child when he traveled to national parks with his family. After college, he pursued a path as a rock band manager, including Motley Crue. Although successful, he struggled with addiction. In treatment, Josh participated in an outdoor program with AR, which reignited his early passions, and he never looked back.
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116: A History of Controversies Part 2, Kenneth Rosen follow up
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
In this second controversies episode, we explore the history of more controversies related to the field. We review the history of staff training and wages for field guides. We explore why programs are expensive and discuss resources to help families pay for treatment. We look into the safety of wilderness therapy programs and review research related to risk in the field. Included is a follow-up conversation with Kenneth Rosen, author of "Troubled: The Failed Promise of Behavioral Treatment Programs."
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115: A History of Controversies, Part 1
Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy
In this special two-part episode, we explore the history of controversies related to the field. Part 1 has five segments. We discuss the outdoor aspect of wilderness therapy and how did it all begin. We review boot camps and wilderness therapy and why they are often confused. We look into the research in the field and who funds this research, and why. We discuss transporting young people to wilderness programs, the history, and quandaries. We finish with a review of licensure/accreditation of programs.
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.