Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors

Kimberly Beck is the founder of Relational Rewilding in CO. Kimberly shares that she was obsessed with animals and nature as a child. Her passion grew into facilitating the relationship between people and nature, people and animals, and people and people in various ways. Kimberly has designed and led environmental programs as a Naturalist and a Certified Interpretive Guide. She would go earn a Master's in Counseling from Colorado State University which began her path into healing others via Ecotherapy.

Bio from the Relational Rewilding Website:

As a young child walking through Ohio oak-hickory forests, Kimberly would regularly ask: 'How can I teach others to love these woods as much as I do? How might people take care of these places? Can we heal here? Do people develop differently with more exposure to nature?' These internal questions have guided her life's work, and still continue today. Kimberly's passion is facilitating relationship between people and nature, people and animals, and people and people. As a naturalist, humane educator, eco-therapist, nature mentor and dog trainer, she considers herself to be living her childhood dreams. She attributes her relationship with nature as a primary protective factor in her own emotional and psychological resilience, and hence chose to blend nature and psychology in her work. Kimberly values helping others improve their health, confidence, relationships, and sense of belonging in the world by restoring the original kinship we humans share with nature. She believes the health of people is absolutely intertwined with the health of our ecosystems, and hopes that re-establishing natural, native connections will generate more compassionate attitudes and actions toward ourselves, one another, and the planet upon which we depend. In addition to operating Relational Rewilding (founded in 2017), Kimberly currently works as coordinator and faculty for the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies, teaching nature-based approaches to therapy. She is also a contract instructor with Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Audubon Society and Evergreen Audubon Society. She is on the advisory board for Outdoor Education at Red Rocks Community College. Kimberly holds a Master's degree in Counseling from Colorado State University and a Bachelor's degree in Outdoor Education & Plant Biology from Ohio University. She has been practicing nature-based and eco-therapy for 10 years . Kimberly designed and led environmental and humane education programs at state parks, outdoor education centers, and animal shelters throughout the country. She is a Master Naturalist, a Native Plant Master, and Certified Interpretive Guide. Kimberly has participated in continuing education programs through North American Institute of Medical Herbalism (now the Colorado School for Clinical Herbalism), The Foragers Path, Artemisia & Rue Herbalism, Somatic Wilderness Therapy Institute, Wildcraft Forest School, Wilderness Awareness School, 8 Shields Institute, and The Tracking Project - training in cultural and natural awareness, animal tracking, plant studies, herbology, bird language, primitive skills, community building, & Gestalt and nature-based therapy. She lives in the foothills west of Golden, Colorado with her partner, 3 horses, and a diversity of surrounding wildlife.

In celebration of the 100th episode of Stories from the Field, Dr. Will White, tells his story about how he became involved in wilderness therapy and how the Stories from the Field podcast, book, and dissertation came into being. He shares how his family, scouting, college professors, and Buddhist teachers led him to the path of wilderness therapy. He reveals how he became involved in starting Summit Achievement in 1996 when there were no other wilderness therapy programs on the east coast.

Bio from Summit Achievements Website: Dr. White received his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver and his Doctorate degree in Leadership from Franklin Pierce University. He has been licensed as a Clinical Social Worker and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor for over 30 years. Dr. White is a nationally recognized expert in the field of adventure/wilderness therapy.

As a much sought after speaker on the topic of Adventure/Wilderness Therapy, Dr. White has presented at national and international conferences and is the author of the book, Stories from the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy and the host of the podcast, Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy.

Dr. Maurie Lung is one of the foremost leaders in the field of adventure therapy and is the founder of Life Adventures Counseling and Consulting. She has over 25 years of experience as an adventure therapist, business owner, author, mentor, evaluator, and university instructor. Maurie shares many stories including how she was inspired as a child to help people through adventures in the outdoors after an incident in her first week at a summer camp. Maurie tells how the Adventure Therapy Certificate evolved.

Bio from Life Adventures website: (Dana) Maurie Lung, Ph.D., LMHC, LMFT is the founder and CEO of Life Adventures Counseling, a community organization that provides adventure-based mental health therapy and consulting. She has over 25 years of experience as a therapist, business owner, author, speaker, trainer, evaluator, and university instructor. She has co-authored two books for mental health professionals as well as a variety of articles about how to experience nature and adventure in order to heal our hearts and restore dignity. Maurie integrates her knowledge and experience of recreation, education, psychology, and evaluation to experientially provide services with a diverse client population. The growth and change she witnesses for youth, families, and adults through this process continues to amaze her and remind her of the power of playful experience. In addition to her experiences as a practitioner and administrator, Maurie provides consultation, coaching, training, and technical assistance to organizations who want to improve their level of organizational functioning or implement a more experiential approach to their services. She also is Associate Faculty at Prescott College teaching graduate courses in mental health counseling and overseeing the Adventure-based Psychotherapy and Ecotherapy programs.

Vicenzo Narciso grew up in Seattle, Washington, and struggled as a teenager in following rules at home and school. He also began using substances and regularly skipped school. Early one morning two individuals transported Vicenzo to Utah, a place that he could not even find on a map, and he was enrolled at Elements Wilderness Therapy. This is how Vicenzo began his journey to treatment and eventual recovery. Vicenzo shares his unique journey and how wilderness prepared him for the current COVID 19 pandemic

Hansen Hundahl is an undergraduate student at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, N.H. When Hansen was a high school freshman he was struggling with his parent's divorce, substance use, and learning challenges. Hansen shares his journey of change that began one night when he was transported to BlueFire Wilderness Therapy program in Idaho. Hansen attributes his change to the field guides who taught him mindfulness and other important lessons. Hansen hopes to start a wilderness program in the future.

Dr. Lee Gillis is a psychology professor at Georgia College. Lee shares stories about his friend and mentor, Karl Rohnke, who passed away last week. Karl impacted the field in many ways including writing classic texts such as "Cranking out Adventure", "Cowtails and Cobras", "Silver Bullets" and others. Lee also explores the definitions of adventure and wilderness therapy and how he was recently honored by the American Psychological Association for his work in adventure group therapy. A first in the field.

Chris Squier is the Family Services Coordinator at Black Mountain Academy in N.C. As a teen, Chris was transported from Florida to New York and attended Adirondack Leadership Expeditions due to behavioral challenges. Chris shares his story of difficulties in the change process as after wilderness he returned home and continued to struggle. He enrolled in Four Circles in N.C. as a young adult and attended it twice. Chris feels that wilderness programs saved his life and is committed to a path of service.

Bio from Black Mountain Academy website:

Chris, a native of Orlando, Florida, has spent many years calling the mountains of Western North Carolina home. Chris attended Asheville Buncombe Technical College and has gained many years of hands on experience working with students on the autism spectrum during his years as a field instructor for a local therapeutic wilderness program.

When asked what he enjoys about his role as lead residential coach at Black Mountain Academy, Chris states, "I believe that our students on the autism spectrum or who struggle with other related neurodevelopmental issues have talents and abilities that other people in the world will never have, and those gifts are often overlooked. I do this work because I believe I can help our students discover these abilities and build confidence in themselves."

Chris is well knowing for his fun-loving demeanor and ability to get students invested in a game or activity they might feel shy about trying. Outside of work, Chris can often be found buying and restoring wood furniture, hiking with friends, or enjoying a good book.

Connor Boyle is the founder of Revival Wilderness Therapy located in New Hampshire. Connor shares his story of having a successful law career in Boston while suffering from anxiety/depression combined with alcoholism. He tried traditional residential treatment but it did not help. He shares how went to a wilderness therapy program at the age of 33 which was the "most impactful" experience of his life. He left his law career worked in behavioral healthcare and a wilderness program and then started Revival.

Connor's bio from Revival Website:

Born and raised in Littleton, NH, while the White Mountains were in my back yard, I could not have been further away from them. Rather than embrace Nature, I chose a very achievement oriented path. I graduated valedictorian from Littleton High School and then attended Bates College, where my primary objective was to prepare for law school. And prepared I was for my law school career at Northeastern University, where I excelled as a law student. After passing two bar exams I began my career as a corporate attorney. And I also began to realize that there were no more goals to achieve. No more exams to take. No more teams to captain. There was no more structure, and without externally prescribed structure, I was at a loss. Depression and anxiety set in. And substance abuse escalated alongside mental health issues, accompanied by an eating disorder.

I had been living my entire life wearing a mask. A mask that I believed society wanted me to wear. I had focused on fabricated external expectations. I never once looked inside for what I was, for who I was.

That all changed when I got in the Woods. I began working on myself - Mind, Body, and Spirit. I learned that everything in life is impermanent except one's relationship with themselves. And I realized that since we only get one lap, we better focus on what is important by our own standards, and not by those of an over-civilized, over-medicated, under-connected society. And I realized that the best way to do that is through connection. Through helping others connect. With themselves, with a community, and with Nature. Help me build a community by allowing me to help you build your connection to self.

​Having studied health and wellness coaching through the Health Coach Institute, wilderness preparedness through SOLO Wilderness Medical School, and having worked in addiction recovery for years, I have the credentials and qualifications to bring you in to the Wilderness, keep you safe, and create a productive and valuable atmosphere for growth and catharsis. But more importantly, having lived for years mired in a swamp of mental health crisis and substance abuse, I know what it is like to be where you are. I know what it is like to feel like you are not you. What it is like to feel like there is no way out. What it feels like to be sad. What it feels like to be depressed and anxiety riddled. What it feels like to be hopeless. What it feels like to feel nothing at all. And I know what it takes to pull yourself out of the abyss.

All the classes and courses have been valuable, but the life experience that I have walked through is what makes me the person that I am. And it is what allows me to be compassionate, empathetic, and, maybe most importantly, allows me to understand as well as anyone else what it is like to feel the way you feel right now. There is a way out. Let me help you get there.

Nick Slovak is the Executive Director of Green Hill Recovery located in North Carolina. When Nick was a teen he experienced several challenges including his father dying on Nick's 15th birthday. Nick shares his story of how he struggled and with his mother's support he ended up going to Summit Achievement where his life began to change. He shares how time in the wilderness with supportive peers helped chart a new course in his life. Nick has over a decade of sobriety and is now a leader in the behavioral health care field.

Nick's bio from Green Hill:

Nick Slovak is the Executive Director of Green Hill. As Executive Director, Nick oversees the administration and integration of the clinical, transitional living, academic, experiential, and holistic components of the Green Hill program. Nick sees his primary responsibility as giving the staff at Green Hill the tools they need to provide compassionate and innovative care. Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern Maine in political science and a minor in international relations. He is currently working to complete a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.

Prior Experience

Prior to his work with Green Hill, Nick served as the Program Coordinator at Foundation House – an extended care sober living facility in Portland, Maine. In that position, Nick developed and implemented academic and vocational modules, alumni programming, and a variety of experiential and adventure-based therapies. Most recently, he worked at the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) – the largest J1 visa sponsor in the United States. At CIEE, Nick coordinated international exchange programs for over 20,000 high school and college students from 50 countries.

Professional Passion

Nick is passionate about empowering young people to make a successful transition into emerging adulthood. He has direct experience with both the perils of addiction and triumphs of sobriety. His own recovery journey has been paramount to his work mentoring emerging adults through early recovery, giving him a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by newly recovering emerging adults returning to an academic setting. Nick believes in a holistic approach to the recovery and in the importance of a balanced lifestyle.

More about Nick

Originally from Long Island, NY, Nick comes to Raleigh from Portland, ME. He is an avid adventurer and outdoorsman who enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, and snowboarding. He is a Registered Maine Guide, and has led multiple expeditions through the mountains and waters of Maine and New Hampshire. He is a strong proponent of the healing power of the outdoors and is always eager to share this passion. Nick is also an ardent traveler having visited four continents and over 15 countries.

This episode is a follow up to Ep. 91: The Business of Wilderness Therapy. We crowdsourced questions related to the business of wilderness therapy from listeners and others to ask questions about the business side of the field. Some of the questions to be answered include: What qualifications do people have in running a wilderness therapy business? What are the business skills one has to have? How do you thing insurance reimbursement will impact wilderness therapy? What is the future of the field? Etc.