Outdoor Therapy Centre Podcast

Will Dobud and Nevin Harper have a new book coming out on the 30th of September called Kids These Days: Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health. Daniel turned the podcast around and interviewed Will and Nevin on this discussion about the new book and why outdoor therapy enthusiasts may be interested.Kids These Days was endorsed by trauma-expert Dr. Bruce Perry who "highly recommended" the book and advocate for safer therapeutic programs, Paris Hilton, who called it a "protest book" and a "must read." You can preorder the book on Amazon here or listen to the audiobook narrated by Tim Morgan on Audible. To learn more about the book, visit www.kidsthesedaysbook.com.Thanks for your ongoing support!

This is the best! A great conversation with Katie Asmus!Katie Asmus is a Somatic and Nature-Based Psychotherapist. With a Master’s degree in Somatic Psychology, over 30 years of leading individuals and group programs out in nature, and a lifetime of apprenticing to ceremony and rites of passage, Katie says the essence of her work is normalizing, celebrating, and bringing compassion to what it means to be human.  For the past 20 years, alongside maintaining a private psychotherapy practice, she has taught graduate students at Naropa University and Prescott College in the areas of Somatic and Nature-based Therapies. In addition, through the Somatic Wilderness Therapy Institute (and in collaboration with other inspiring colleagues), she created and facilitates both online and in-person workshops and trainings in Somatic Trauma work, Ceremony & Rites of Passage facilitation, as well as in a wide variety of wilderness, adventure, and nature-based therapy skills. Having sat with thousands of people from around the world and from all walks of life, Katie is a tender of the thresholds and strongly believes in the necessity of following our deepest longing while simultaneously knowing and feeling our interconnection and belonging to the greater web of life.Relevant LinksSomatic Nature Therapy InstituteMore About KatiePsychology TodayLinkedInKatie on Will White's Stories from the FieldKatie on The Awakened TherapistKatie on Therapy in the Great OutdoorsMore Ways to ConnectSocial Sciences Week Outdoor Therapy Series 2025

New Name, Same Podcast ! Well...Daniel and Will got a bit too busy, but we're back for our third season. Thank you for downloading the Outdoor Therapy Centre Podcast with the super fun Becky Robbins!About BeckyBecky Robbins lives in Western Washington, a fourth generation resident and descendant of settlers who came to this land, land that belongs to and has been tended by the Coast Salish, Duwamish, Suquamish, and Tulalip tribal people. Becky is both a steward and lover of this land. She loves her work as an ecotherapist, naturalist, outdoor adventurer and educator. Becky spends equal time in the mystical and practical worlds, with earth-based spirituality and shamanism to scientific research-based practices in her work and personal life. Becky has a passion for people and learning, as well as collaborating with colleagues!You can find Becky on Instagram @beautyeverywherepnw and her website https://innerphoenix.netBecky owns a private therapy practice where she sees individual adult clients of all ages. She offers both continuing education classes for therapists and education for the general public on nature and spiritual topics applied to our steps and growth along life’s journey. And she volunteers as a steward for local parks and through the Mountaineers (http://www.mountaineers.org) by leading hikes, nature and mindfulness walks, backpacking trips, and other fun adventures.

Dr. Esther Ayers, obtained a PhD in Chicano/Latino Studies at Michigan State University, is a dedicated researcher and advocate for mental health in Latinx communities. With a Master's degree in Interpersonal Practice from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Her qualitative research focuses on Latinx experiences, Adventure Therapy, and Community Mental Health that infuses methods and theories that are culturally congruent. Esther has presented her research at  the Association of Experiential Education Symposium. Driven by a commitment to service, Esther engages in various forms of community outreach combined with being a member with Association of Experiential Education and National Association of Social Work. Esther Ayers is an influential scholar, researcher, and therapist dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Latinx communities through her interdisciplinary work. On Esther's spare time she enjoys spending time with family/friends in the outdoors, listening to music and dancing.  Useful Links Esther's MSU Spotlight Esther's Website Esther's CV Therapy for Latinx Profile

In his free time, Dr. Cian Brown enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing and bouldering, despite not being a huge fan of heights. In this episode, we talk about specific activities in adventure therapy, Cian's passion for getting outside with students, and nerd out on a little research. Lots of letters follow Dr. Brown's name! He is a licensed counselor, Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist (CCAT), and Board Certified in Neurofeedback, Fellow (BCN-Fellow) with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of Arkansas specializing in Adventure Therapy. Cian is also the co-founder of the Center for Outdoor Therapy and Education at the University of Oklahoma. Relevant Links Center for Outdoor Therapy and Education Cian's Website Cian's Google Scholar Site

Zoe Jack, LCSW-C is the Director of the Center for Nature Informed Therapy in Baltimore, Maryland. She is the author of the new book Social Work Outside: Evidence Based, Micro and Macro Perspectives. This year, Zoe has been on a "tour" travelling to social work conferences advocating for bringing nature into social work practice. We hope you enjoy the fun episode! For those interested in painting there office like Zoe's, here you go: Laurel Tree Behr Paint Useful Links Social Work Outside Zoe's New Book Center for Nature Informed Therapy Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan Zoe's Instagram Center for Nature Informed Therapy Instagram

Gary describes himself as "happily retired," so we knew it was time to rope him in for a fun discussion about his productive and meaningful career as both a social worker and leading contributor to adventure therapy knowledge. Gary is the co-author of many impactful adventure therapy articles and numerous books, including the recent Adventure Group Psychotherapy. In this episode, the team discuss Gary's backyard conversations with Tony Alvarez, his writing, prevention, the experiential wave model, and his mindset: It never rains on adventure. We hope you enjoy! Welcome to Season 2! Useful Links ⁠Adventure Group Psychotherapy⁠ ⁠Power of One: Using Adventure and Experiential Activities within One on One Counseling Sessions⁠ ⁠Power of Family⁠ ⁠Musings on Adventure Therapy⁠ ⁠Gary's AEE Member Spotlight⁠

Before we begin, everyone should head to this link and get professionally connected with Max! Max joins the podcast to share how his international experience in the United States, Scotland, and Spain - as well as many other adventures - informs his work with adolescents in the outdoors. The group talks about field siestas, Camino de Santiago routes, and running individualized expeditions. Max is a representative for Adventure Therapy Europe and brings experience from outdoor education, wilderness therapy in the United States, and residential care to his current practice. Together with Daniel and Will, Max discusses how every day with clients is an adventure. Useful Links Adventure Therapy Europe Roundtable Representatives Madrid Outdoor Education Here is Max's LinkedIn Account...Again

We have started a GoFundMe so you can all chip in and send us to the Himalayas where we can hang out and learn from Tanya. You'll understand why we must go watch Tanya in action after listening to this episode. Tanya Ginwala is a clinical psychologist and experiential educator from India, and the country's representative on the Adventure Therapy International Committee (ATIC). Tanya has trained in narrative therapy, somatic therapies, and buddhist psychology. Before starting her own practice, Qualia Mental Health, Tanya worked for the Adventures Beyond Barriers Foundation, an Indian non-profit that aims to use adventure sports to promote social inclusion for people with and without disabilities. There she managed daily operations of an organization with a footprint of over 5,000 individuals with and without disabilities during its founding years, from 2016-2019.  Tanya is a trailblazer for adventure therapy in India. She established an Adventure and Nature Based Therapy - India Study Group which has grown over the years and has included international presentations, workshops, and training opportunities. In her free time, Tanya enjoys spending time in the pine forests by her home in Dharamshala with her wonderful dog Ziggy, reading, napping in the sun and discovering new music. Useful Links Tanya's Website Adventures Beyond Barriers LinkedIn Page India's International Adventure Therapy Representative Tanya's Psychology India Page

To stir the pot, Will's mother sent him Alan's book, Natural: How Faith in Nature's Goodness Leads to Harmful Fads, Unjust Laws, and Flawed Science, last year. Alan's book examines the meaning of "natural" and argues that modern Western culture has divinized nature. That seemed like a worthy conversation to unpack. Alan is an associate professor of religion at James Madison University. His work focuses primarily on the relationship between religion, literature, and science, with particular attention to classical Chinese thought and comparative ethics. In this episode, we talk a lot about psychotherapy, religion, cults, pseudoscience, wellbeing, and ritual.  Useful Links Alan's JMU Page Give Alan a follow on Twitter Alan's Washington Post Page Interview with Alan about "Nature's Goodness"

We caught up with an icon of our field Denise Mitten as she was driving with her daughter across the US to Will’s homeland of Washington DC! Denise is a widely experienced outdoor adventure guide, leading SCUBA and mountaineering trips in numerous countries. Denise started with the Girl Scouts in the 1960s and brought her passion for sharing the outdoors and adventure with people from all backgrounds, including women survivors of abuse, homeless populations, and maximum-security men’s prisons. Denise’s academic work spans ethics, justice, diversity, and equity in adventure therapy and outdoor education. Her writing speaks for itself and we encourage our listening to take a look at her amazing contributions to the literature. Useful Links Denise’s Page at Prescott College Follow Denise on Twitter Denise’s Google Scholar Page Book: The Palgrave International Handbook of Women and Outdoor Learning

All good research requires a good acronym. Welcome to the ATOM...the Adventure Therapy Outcome Monitoring study. In this episode, we invite you to join a community of practitioners to build more evidence and knowledge about adventure therapy practice and, hopefully, help each other get better at doing it. If you're interested in getting involved...and yes, you are the perfect person to get involved, flick us an email and we can get started! Email: wdobud@csu.edu.au “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” –Ken Blanchard Useful Links Adventure Therapy and Routine Outcome Minitoring of Treament Article Feedback Informed Treament: Explained in 5 Minutes The First ATOM Training Video: Password is ATOM Towards an evidence-informed adventure therapy: Implementing feedback-informed treatment in the field Beyond measures and monitoring: Realizing the potential of feedback-informed treatment. Feedback informed treatment: Evidence‐based practice meets social construction Feedback-informed treatment (FIT): Improving the outcome of psychotherapy one person at a time

Did you know our guest, Dr. Terry Williams, has traveled over 15,000 miles by bicycle, 8,000 miles running cross-country, and has earned the ear of U.S. presidents, politicians, and community leaders? The foundation she founded has helped numerous non-profit's build sustainable adventure-based practices across the United States. Terry joins Daniel and Will to discuss her passion for leadership, thoughts on collaborations and important milestones across her amazing journey. If you want to start a non-profit or adventure therapy business, don't miss this episode!  Join us in wishing Terry and the Children Are Our Future Foundation a wondrous birthday! Links Children Are Our Future Foundation Whitney Houston - Greatest Love of All Life Adventures Counseling & Life Adventures for All Consulting New Adventures Counseling Information about the 9IATC 9th International Adventure Therapy Conference Website Co-Adventuring for Change w/ Will & Stephan Co-Adventure for Change w/ Will & Stephan (Webinars Only) Adventure Therapy & Complex Trauma w/ Graham & Will

Happy new year everyone...wait it's already February?! We hope you enjoy the podcast - full of belly laughs - with our great friend Margaret Kelso. Margaret began in wilderness therapy in 2011 as a field guide at a program in southeast Alaska. After receiving her W-EMT in 2013, she continued her wilderness therapy journey holding roles in the medical, case management, program management, and beyond. She has particularly loved the work of developing judgment and decision-making skills with field staff and working with programs to increase mitigation of risk to allow for the primary focus of therapy to thrive as a freelance risk management assessor/auditor. She now holds the title of Director of Operations within one of the leading wilderness therapy programs in the country and while Will and Daniel have many more letters behind their names, Margaret makes up for it in exclamation points with the enthusiasm and energy she brings to each facet of her life including being a mother to her two fantastically wild and curious children with whom she now has the opportunity to continue her love of guiding in a whole new context. There is so much more to discuss with Margaret, such as the best-thrown party in Alaskan history and Will's competitive dodge ball streak, against 10-year-olds. 

“Therapy was a dirty word” for Doug until an external evaluation of his wilderness therapy program found he was delivering a service that was, in fact, therapeutic. Doug joins Will and Daniel to discuss his private practice, Gippsland Adventure Therapy, and how extensive engagement in his community has helped the practice thrive in such a short period of time. LINKS Gippsland Adventure Therapy Adventure Works (Australia) Graham Pringle’s Training Visit Gippsland Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy Blue Knot Foundation Guidelines for Treatment of Complex Trauma

Senior Constable Mark Cartner is a police officer of more than 20 years. Most of that experience was dedicated as a child abuse detective of a major investigations unit before transitioning to school-based policing. Upon doing so, Mark put in the grassroots efforts to develop a highly recognized adventure therapy program for disengaged, traumatized youth. Daniel and Will talk with Mark about connection to country, how trauma impacts the brain, the metaphors he brings to his adventure therapy work from his many years as a detective, the importance of collaboration, and his Walk of Life program’s recent trip to an Indigenous dance festival in Cape York. Throughout the episode, Mark breaks many stereotypes about safe and effective policing, making many inferences on how adventure therapy practitioners can base their practice on the best available evidence. Mark is current the co-deputy chair of the Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy. Links Interview on ABC Radio about Mark’s work Police Blog about Mark’s Trip to Cape York Meet Aunty Judy Atkinson Recognition of the Walk of Life Program Videos of the Walk of Life Program Mark’s Drone Skills

What if we told you adventure therapy, despite being more experiential or maybe outdoors, has more in common with every other therapy than you think? Join Daniel and Will for an overview of research, the best available evidence, and the debunking of some common myths around psychotherapy research. Make sure to let us know on social media what you think! What challenged you? What seems common sense and not that revolutionary? Let's engage!  Happy Episode 10! Thanks for your continued support! Have an idea for an episode?! Do you have interesting case examples worthy and appropriate for sharing? Get in touch!  Useful Links ATC Directory Variance in Psychiatrist Effects Adventure Therapy and Routine Outcome Monitoring Nicky Treadway...Who you NEED to know! Outdoor Therapies Book

Today's guest is psychologist Alexander Rose. Alexander is a trailblazer for adventure therapy in Spain, recently publishing the first adventure therapy book to be written in Spanish! The book is titled: Terapia a través de la aventura: Cuando la montaña nos hizo grandes. He is one of two representatives for Spain in the Adventure Therapy Europe network. Along with Will and Dan, Alexander shares his passion for adventure therapy and how he implements Gestalt and Experiential therapies into his work. This episode shows how cultural context truly informs adventure therapy from all around the world!   Links NEW BOOK! - Terapia a través de la aventura: Cuando la montaña nos hizo grandes Terapia Aventure Adventure Therapy Europe Historical Background of Adventure Therapy in Spain Research Gate

Dr Lee Gillis, co-author of Adventure Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice (2nd Ed.; 2020) and whose research has contributed to the foundation of outdoor, wilderness, and adventure therapy research, joined Daniel and Will for an awesome discussion. Take a listen to hear about the promise of future adventure therapy research, Lee's experience with adventure-based group work, and more!  Huge thanks to Adventure Therapist LLC for sponsoring this episode! Check them out at https://www.adventure-therapist.com/ Links All About Lee's APA Award Lee's Google Scholar Pages Adventure Therapy Book (2nd Ed.) 

This episode is an interview with Tuesdey Spangler who is the chair of the Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group (TAPG). Tuesdey is a clinical social worker with many years of experience using adventure therapy techniques. She has worked at Camp Mary Orton in Columbus, in private practice, and in other settings. Tuesdey came on the ATC podcast to tell us about TAPG, the TAPG preconference at AEE, and her experiences working in adventure therapy. If you don't know about TAPG, you definitely want to check this episode out to learn about one of the most important groups in adventure therapy in the U.S. Links Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group Website Clinical Adventure Therapist Certification More About Tuesdey TAPG's Facebook Group