SKYlights

PREVIEW: Clinical therapist Mariah Loftin explains the benefits of therapy conducted outdoors. Among them, with wilderness therapy, instead of returning after a therapy session to the same ruts and patterns in your life, you are immersed in a supportive and healthy environment—the wilderness—which leads to lasting change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PREVIEW: One of the most common frustrations expressed by Open Sky clients and their families is the struggle to understand and “fix” a lack of motivation. In this episode of SKYlights, Dr. Aaron Wallis brings some clarity to the concept of motivation and an understanding of the neurological influences that affect our ability to turn desire into action. GUEST PROFILES:AARON WALLIS, PH.D, LPDr. Aaron Wallis earned his BA in Psychology from Texas Tech University and his PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. While in graduate school, Dr. Wallis was able to explore a few areas of clinical interest through research: substance use (cannabis), social skill development, and social media. Not only did he study these concepts through research; he was also able to hone his clinical skills working directly with individuals in several college counseling centers including Grand Valley State University and the University of Colorado.Dr. Wallis has a strong interest in the myriad issues that face young adults face as they navigate the complex transition to adulthood. He has a particular passion in working with clients to address social anxiety, substance use, anger and emotional management challenges, and the development of a healthy relationship with social media. He was drawn to Open Sky because, being a scientist at heart, he values Open’s Sky focus on research, efficacy, and techniques that actually work. He is invigorated by the opportunity to move beyond traditional talk therapy, using the power of wilderness therapy to create experiences that his clients can incorporate into their character as they heal. When he’s not working, Dr. Wallis likes to “get lost” in the wilderness with his wife and their dogs. He enjoys biking, swimming, exploring new food and places, and generally being active and outside. He is also working on what may be a lifelong challenge of bringing Texas BBQ to Colorado. TOPICS COVERED:Wilderness Therapy, coping skills, emotional and spiritual growth, self-confidence, emotional support, healing, young adults, recovery support, empowerment, destructive relationships, substance use, personal trauma, family dynamics, oppositional defiance, adoption/attachment issues, treatment resistance, navigating non-traditional and complex family systems, substance abuse, substance addiction, depression, anxiety, meditation, mindfulness, motivationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PREVIEW: Family Wellness Counselor, Norman Elizondo leads us in an extended 10 minute embodied mindfulness meditation that provides us with tools to help us be present, disrupt repetitive thoughts, use breathing exercises for mental calmness and rewire our brains and nervous systems for greater emotional resilience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PREVIEW: Family Wellness Counselor, Norman Elizondo leads us in a 5 minute embodied mindfulness meditation that provides us with tools to help us be present, disrupt repetitive thoughts, use breathing exercises for mental calmness and rewire our brains and nervous systems for greater emotional resilience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PREVIEW: The premise of meditation is learning how to have a healthy mind. Studies have shown that this can occur even on a biological level, recording the physical healing of the brain. In this episode, certified meditation teacher and Family Wellness Counselor, Norman Elizondo, explains how, as we develop mental strength (and other superpowers!) we may be better able to resist negative patterns, allowing for a more fulfilling life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PREVIEW: As electronic screens become ever more pervasive, researchers and parents wonder: How much is too much? Studies show that adolescents who use screens excessively experience an increase in impulsivity, distractibility, and relationship struggles, and a decrease in self-worth and well-being. In this episode, Clinical Therapist Morgan Seymour explains how wilderness therapy helps students address the underlying issues associated with excessive gaming and screen time use. GUEST PROFILES:MORGAN SEYMOUR, LCSW Morgan earned her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After completing a 30-day backpacking/packrafting trip through the Alaskan backcountry, she developed a love for the outdoors and gained knowledge of how nature and wilderness can assist individuals in their mental, physical, and emotional growth. She was introduced to wilderness therapy when she became a field guide, and working as a field guide gave Morgan insight to how the wilderness can help support change in both herself and others. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work at Colorado State University and has been working as a wilderness therapist since 2014. With the wilderness as her co-therapist, Morgan loves to get creative with her interventions, challenging her students to find comfort in the uncomfortable.At Open Sky, Morgan works with adolescent boys who internalize their feelings, avoid conflict, and struggle with social skills. She tends to work with the students who have severe anxiety, depression, gaming abuse, non-verbal learning disorder, and substance use as a secondary issue.When Morgan is not working, she is exploring with her blue heeler Riley and her husband Austin. They spend their time climbing, hiking, backpacking, and listening to the lessons that nature has to offer all of us. Morgan continues to learn more about herself each time she is exploring and hopes to share this with every student that she works with at Open Sky. TOPICS COVERED:Wilderness Therapy, coping skills, emotional and spiritual growth, self-confidence, emotional support, healing, young adults, recovery support, empowerment, destructive relationships, substance use, personal trauma, family dynamics, oppositional defiance, adoption/attachment issues, treatment resistance, navigating non-traditional and complex family systems, substance abuse, substance addiction, depression, anxiety, meditation, mindfulness, motivation, self-harm, screen addiction, video game addictionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the new podcast from Open Sky Therapy!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.