213: Post-Pandemic Wilderness Therapy: Seven Trends in Outdoor Mental Health Practices
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In this thought-provoking special episode of Stories from the Field), we delve into the "Post-Pandemic Wilderness Therapy: Seven Trends in Outdoor Mental Health Practices," exploring the transformative shifts that have emerged in therapeutic outdoor practices following the global pandemic. With the world having navigated through unprecedented times, the mental health field has seen a pivotal evolution, particularly in settings that embrace the healing powers of the outdoors. Join us as we dissect seven significant trends that have come to the forefront of wilderness therapy and outdoor mental health treatment. From the increase in outdoor activities as a newfound sanctuary for mental well-being to the profound growth of outpatient practices that incorporate nature's therapeutic benefits, we investigate the multifaceted impacts of the pandemic on this unique sector of healthcare. We also tackle the poignant decrease in enrollments for wilderness therapy programs, delving into the contributing factors, such as the influence of critical testimonies, financial constraints, and a shifting workforce landscape that has seen seasoned therapists pivot towards less demanding environments. Additionally, we shed light on the rise of alternative residential treatment options funded by private equity, the burgeoning movement of critics and activists advocating for change within the wilderness therapy space, and the nuanced changes in parental anxieties and expectations regarding mental health treatment for their children. Throughout the episode, Dr. Will White), a seasoned expert and passionate advocate for integrating natural environments in therapeutic practices, offers an in-depth analysis of these developments. Listeners are invited to consider the complexity of these shifts, recognizing that whether they are perceived as positive or negative may depend on one's perspective, echoing nature's lessons that change is the only constant. You can email Will at [email protected]) Season 17 of Stories from the Field is focused on Anxiety and is underwritten by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.)  This is a special episode,