Podcasts about summit achievement

In this episode Will reconnects with Nichol Ernst, CEO of Summit Achievement, an adolsecent residential treatment program in Maine. Nichol shares his journey from starting as a field staff member 21 years ago to leading the organization today. They delve into how Summit Achievement has evolved since its founding in 1996, discussing the core principles that have remained steadfast—the transformative power of nature, evidence-based clinical work, a strong focus on academics, and the critical involvement of family in the therapeutic process. Nichol highlights how the program has adapted to meet the changing needs of adolescents and their families, integrating technological advancements for safety, becoming a fully accredited school capable of awarding academic credits, and addressing the increasing complexity of mental health issues among youth. The conversation also addresses the broader challenges and criticisms faced by the wilderness therapy field. Nichol discusses Summit Achievement's commitment to transparency, ethical practices, and continual improvement through state licensure, national accreditations, and the publication of outcome data demonstrating significant reductions in depression and anxiety among participants. As mental health needs continue to rise, Summit Achievement remains dedicated to providing effective, individualized treatment without compromising its foundational values. This insightful discussion offers listeners a deeper understanding of how one organization navigates the complexities of mental health care while harnessing the healing power of the outdoors.

In this enlightening episode of "Stories from the Field: Mental Health in the Outdoors," we're joined by the insightful Mike DeLuca, LCSW, a clinician at Summit Achievement - a unique adolescent residential treatment program with an adventure therapy component. Mike delves deep into his transformative journey, starting from his years at Outward Bound and the experiences that shaped his perspective on therapeutic outdoors practices. It was these formative years that led him to his different roles at Summit Achievement. Mike's narrative shines a light on how Summit Achievement not only influenced him professionally but also played a role in his decision to pursue a career as a clinical social worker. A significant portion of our conversation is dedicated to Mike's specialized work with young individuals grappling with anxiety. He shares his empathetic approach and proven strategies in engaging both the young person and their families, ensuring a holistic support system. By marrying traditional clinical techniques with the healing power of the outdoors, Mike emphasizes the profound positive impact this synergy can have in alleviating anxiety and related mental health challenges. This episode provides listeners with an intimate look into the world of outdoor mental health therapy, its transformative power, and the professionals like Mike who are at the forefront of this therapeutic approach. For anyone keen on understanding the intersection of outdoor experiences and mental health, especially as it pertains to anxiety in young people, this is a must-listen. Season 17 of Stories from the Field is focused on Anxiety and is underwritten by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.   

In this special episode, Will White, one of the co-founders of Summit Achievement, a hybrid wilderness therapy program in Maine, and host of the Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy podcast, reveals why, in some ways, he is leaving wilderness therapy. Will hands the hosting duties to long-time friend Patrick McAvoy, the admissions director at New Visions in Wisconsin. Patrick interviews Will about his recent decision to step away from wilderness therapy and his thoughts on the field. Will shares a history of Summit Achievement, how the program evolved over the years, why Summit does not take young people by transport, and other unique aspects of the program. Will reveals why he is stepping away after 26 years as a co-owner and employee of Summit Achievement and what he is doing at his new behavioral healthcare consulting practice, WMAI.org. Will also addresses some of the controversies in the wilderness field, how the death the tragic death of a Summit co-founder in 2015 changed him, and what he sees as the future of wilderness therapy.  We thank the underwriters of Season 14, Brightstone Transitions, Point School, and Wisdom Ranch. Season 14 focuses on young adult programs and young adults sharing their stories, as well as this special episode.

In this special episode, we honor and explore the legacy of the late Adam Tsapis, Summit Achievement co-founder, tall ship captain, father, partner, friend to all, and advocate for wilderness therapy in its many forms. The first segment features archival audio recordings of Adam sharing some stories about his life and the early years of Summit Achievement with other Summit co-founders. The second segment is an interview with Tobie Feigenbaum, Adam's widow, on what she sees as Adam's legacy and how he impacted others. The final piece is a summary of Adam Tsapis's life story. In 2015 the Adam Tsapis Memorial Fund was set up by his family, Summit Achievement, and the Skys the Limit fund to help defray the costs of family wilderness therapy treatment.  Please donate if you can.

How is the field of wilderness therapy changing, and is it changing faster than ever before? In this special 150th episode, we will explore these questions by looking at the impact of the controversies related to the field and how the pandemic is changing many aspects of providing services. This episode will dive into different episodes from the podcast to reveal which interviews and topics were the most downloaded in the series and how those conversations may reflect changes related to wilderness therapy.   About the host:  Will White is a nationally recognized practitioner, researcher, and speaker on the history of adventure and wilderness therapy.  He received his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver and his Doctorate in Leadership from Franklin Pierce University. His dissertation is the first in-depth chronicle of the history of wilderness and adventure therapy.  He contributed a history chapter to the book Adventure Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice.  He is the author of the book, Stories from the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy.  He is also the host of the podcast, Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy. He has been profiled in Outside Online, the Today Show as well as Beautiful News. Will recently founded White Mountain Adventure Institute that provides adventure therapy training, consultation, and therapy. In 1986 he co-founded Summit Achievement, a hybrid wilderness therapy program in Maine that continues to operate in its original location. He is a passionate advocate for the use of wilderness/ adventure therapy as a catalyst for change. He has taught Adventure and Wilderness Therapy classes at Plymouth State University for almost two decades. Will lives in Northern New Hampshire with his lifelong partner and sons.

What happens after a young person discharges from a wilderness therapy program? Do they transition home, therapeutic boarding school, or to a traditional school environment? This episode discusses aftercare planning at wilderness therapy programs for teens and how it has changed over 20 years, with more young people returning home or other traditional settings with support from coaches and outpatient therapists. We dive into this topic with Nichol Ernst, Executive Director at Summit Achievement.   Nichol's Bio from Summit's Webpage: Nichol is a lifelong Mainer. He was born in Portland. Nichol spent his childhood enjoying all that the ocean and mountains of Maine have to offer.  Nichol has only once lived out of the state to pursue his undergraduate degree at Brown University.  Nichol then fulfilled his lifelong dream of moving west by migrating west of Portland toward the border of New Hampshire, where he now lives. Nichol spent many years as a field guide at Summit, beginning in the fall of 2003. Inspired by his work at Summit, Nichol received his Masters In Social work from the University Of New England. He began working full-time as a therapist at Summit in 2008. Later, Nichol became the Clinical Director of Summit Achievement. He served in that role for many years, though now he is currently the Executive Director of Summit Achievement. While he loves his leadership role, he still carries a small caseload as a therapist. Nichol's areas of expertise include cognitive-behavioral therapy, family systems theory, and social coaching. Additionally, Nichol is certified in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy) and Mindfulness. In 2018 Nichol became a co-owner of Summit. Nichol and his certified therapy dog, Baxter, are often found walking through the woods with students or joining them on their wilderness expeditions. When not working with students and families, Nichol can be found working on his small farm in Western Maine with his family cultivating therapeutic metaphors.

Wilderness therapy programs have evolved over the last twenty years to better help those with learning differences that impact mental health. Many young people who enroll in wilderness therapy programs have undiagnosed learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, etc., that need to be addressed for a healthy change to occur. In this episode, we dive into this topic with Sanford Shapiro, a learning specialist at Evoke, and Anson McNulty, Operations Director at Summit Achievement, who has dyslexia.   Sanford's Bio from the Evoke Website:  Sanford Shapiro, M.Ed Learning Specialist & Executive Consultant for Evoke Therapy Programs Sanford Shapiro is a learning disabilities specialist who is a highly sought after trainer and speaker, noted for his ability to bridge gaps between therapy and cognitive science. He has been interviewed on TV and in print for his insights into learning differences and social-emotional concerns. Education & Prior Work Experience Sanford has had an extensive career as a teacher-trainer, school director and special needs consultant. Sanford's knowledge is steeped in research and heart, born from personal and family experience as well as professional and clinical work. Known for his success with dyslexic learners, gifted students and those on the autism spectrum, Sanford's mission has always been grounded by sharp insights about the day-to-day lives of children and adults who learn differently. Strengths Sanford has lived abroad in Australia as well as the west coast and mountain ranges of the northwestern U.S. Sanford was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and lived and worked in Appalachia and New England. These diverse experiences have reinforced the idea that different cultures are to be celebrated and yet always finding the joy in common ground. Interests Sanford and his wife Debbie, parents of two young adult sons currently live in the beautiful UNESCO world heritage city of Cuenca, Ecuador. This is their current base of operations and life, and enjoy traveling back to the USA for friends, family, and work. Sanford is also the author of two children's books, A Light Within (2017) and A Light Within My Dyslexia.   Anson's Bio from the Summit Website:  Anson grew up in the West Village of New York City, where he got to experience the vast culture and diversity the city has to offer. As Anson is dyslexic, he went to a special boarding school in midstate New York where he started to develop his love for nature. Anson attended Unity College in Maine where he received a Bachelor's degree in Outdoor Recreation Administration. Anson first discovered Summit Achievement shortly after graduating college. He was drawn to this work as it allowed him to be outside and give back to youth. He experienced so much support in his journey through dyslexia, and Anson wanted the opportunity to provide that same support to young people. Anson has worked at Summit Achievement since 2002. Since starting out as a guide, he's held multiple roles at Summit. Currently, Anson serves as the Operations Director, as well as being a co-owner. Anson is responsible for hiring and training guide staff and for overseeing the general day-to-day operations of the program. In addition to his education at Unity College, Anson is also certified as Wilderness First Responder, CPR Instructor, and CPI (Crisis Prevention and Intervention) Instructor. When Anson is not at Summit, which isn't often, he likes to spend time with his family on the Saco River and enjoys the scenic roads of New Hampshire and Maine on his motorcycle.

Jill Needleman is an educator and a parent of a wilderness therapy student. Jill shares her family's journey of helping her eighth-grade son get help for emotional struggles that caused him to refuse to go to school. They tried different interventions, but nothing seemed to help. They eventually found an educational consultant who referred them to Summit Achievement as it has a school component. Jill shares how wilderness therapy saved their family and the challenges of finding a good after-care program.

In this episode, we speak to Will White.  Will is an author of the book Stories From the Field:  Demystifying Wilderness Therapy.  He also hosts a weekly podcast that has the same name as his book.  Finally, he is the co-founder of Summit Achievement, a wilderness therapy program located in Maine.  He has been a luminary in the industry for 30 years and is very well known for his knowledge and perspective. In this engaging discussion, we talk about: ·  Background ·  History of Wilderness Therapy ·  Industry Growth ·  Ongoing Controversies ·  Where the industry is headed and what are some key priorities ·  Affordability ·  NATSAP and other industry groups ·  Advice to parents ·  Contact info. Information about Summit Achievement can be found at www.summitachievement.com. Will's podcast can be found here:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-from-the-field-demystifying-wilderness-therapy/id1440862416

This past year is proof that we can never expect when life seems to throw one impossible thing after another.  But what if there are hidden ways you can prepare for the unknown, be more resilient, and still do the good work that you're meant to do? Today, we're exploring uncommon ways to be more comfortable with discomfort, using time spent outdoors, with Dr. Will White, who has been immersed in wilderness settings since he grew up in the mountains of New Hampshire. Dr. White co-founded Summit Achievement and completed his doctorate and a published dissertation on Stories from the Elders: Chronicles and Narratives from the Early Years of Wilderness Therapy. Dr. White also wrote the book, Stories from the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy. He currently lives in White Mountains of New Hampshire with his family and shares with us today, how to: Always be able to rise beyond discomfort despite the challenges Age-old skills you need to survive your biggest challenges The daily habits you didn't know can uplevel the quality of your work and life.  Join others in 60+ countries, follow, add, or collect this podcast and take a listen now.

Join us this week to learn about a wilderness program that uses the outdoor effect and safe struggle to accelerate growth and results. Nichol, the Executive Director of Summit Achievement in Stow, Maine shares how his program's hybrid wilderness model is so effective for taking what students learn outdoors and then applying it in actual life settings. He discusses how they help their students take on challenges, improve their executive functioning skills, handle transitions, learn "tone, tact and timing" and why the pot vaping trend appeals to neurodiverse teens and young adults. We discuss when a wilderness therapy program is appropriate for neurodiverse young people, especially when an outpatient clinical or residential setting isn't working. You'll also gain insights on things you can implement at home. Get full show notes here and more information here: https://JasonDebbie.com/4

Join us this week to learn about a wilderness program that uses the outdoor effect and safe struggle to accelerate growth and results. Nichol, the Executive Director of Summit Achievement in Stow, Maine shares how his program's hybrid wilderness model is so effective for taking what students learn outdoors and then applying it in actual life settings. He discusses how they help their students take on challenges, improve their executive functioning skills, handle transitions, learn "tone, tact and timing" and why the pot vaping trend appeals to neurodiverse teens and young adults. We discuss when a wilderness therapy program is appropriate for neurodiverse young people, especially when an outpatient clinical or residential setting isn't working. You'll also gain insights on things you can implement at home. Get full show notes here and more information here: https://JasonDebbie.com/4

Listen in on the interview as Bobbi was a guest on the podcast "Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy." Stories from the field is dedicated to demystifying wilderness therapy and is hosted by Dr. Will White. In this podcast Will interviews various wilderness therapy researchers, program founders, writers, executive directors, guide staff, clinicians, critics and more. He educates the listener to the long history of the field and different trends related to this evolving treatment option. Will has worked in the wilderness therapy field for over 30 years and co-founded Summit Achievement (a wilderness therapy program) located in Maine in the 1990's. He wrote the book, "Stories from the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy" and his doctoral dissertation traced the history of the field and is titled, “Stories from the Elders: Chronicles and Narratives from the Early Years of Wilderness Therapy”. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ponderinglifeadventures/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ponderinglifeadventures/support

Listen in on the interview as Maurie was a guest on the podcast "Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy." Stories from the field is dedicated to demystifying wilderness therapy and is hosted by Dr. Will White. In this podcast Will interviews various wilderness therapy researchers, program founders, writers, executive directors, guide staff, clinicians, critics and more. He educates the listener to the long history of the field and different trends related to this evolving treatment option. Will has worked in the wilderness therapy field for over 30 years and co-founded Summit Achievement (a wilderness therapy program) located in Maine in the 1990's. He wrote the book, "Stories from the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy" and his doctoral dissertation traced the history of the field and is titled, “Stories from the Elders: Chronicles and Narratives from the Early Years of Wilderness Therapy”. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ponderinglifeadventures/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ponderinglifeadventures/support

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.

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.

Emma Stein is an undergraduate student in Outdoor Education at the University of New Hampshire. When Emma was young she suffered a great deal of loss as her father died when she was 9 and her mother died when she was 16. Emma shares the story of challenges related to the pain she was suffering and how traditional mental health treatment had limited impact. At 16 she went to Summit Achievement a wilderness therapy program in Maine and it changed her life forever. She shares her story of grit and resilience and why she now wants to work in the field.

Wilderness Therapy, or Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare, is an option parents often consider when locally-based treatments aren't working for their teen or young adult who's struggling with emotional issues or substance use. But it can be scary and confusing if you're unfamiliar with what wilderness therapy actually is (and isn't.) This episode does a deep-dive into the origins of wilderness therapy, with someone who's been around it since it's earliest days. Will White, co-founder of Summit Achievement and Summit Traverse, and industry historian provides parents with a grounded explanation of how this therapeutic model developed and gives perspective from his 25+ years in the field on things like:how his experience in a mental health clinic and traditional boarding school influenced his career and focus on outdoor experience-based treatment for teens and young adultsthe 8 key influences on wilderness therapy starting in the 1920'sthe 3 main types of wilderness therapy programshow kids adjust from a drug-influenced, city life to living in naturewho may not be a good candidate for wilderness therapypractical answers about things like program staff and foodwhat types of issues wilderness programs are seeing more of now vs. the pasthow COVID-19 is affecting kids from a substance-availability standpointwhere a parent can start if they believe their child is in danger and needs to be removed from their current situationthe #1 mistake he sees parents make in the process of finding treatment for their teen or young adult childhow wilderness programs can act as a rite-of-passage in a culture where those are no longer prominent in young adult livesand the limitations of outpatient therapy for adolescents and why he's losing faith in itThis is such an informative and educational episode and you'll want to check out the show notes to get all of the resources Will provides. This is also a valuable resource to pass along to a parent you may know who has a child struggling with issues like anxiety, depression, "failure to launch" or substance misuse. Show notes and transcript at www.brendazane.com/hopestream/14If you're a mom who needs strength and support while your child is experimenting with, addicted to, or recovering from addiction, please join our private online community, The Stream, at www.brendazane.com/thestream.download my free ebook “HINDSIGHT: 3 Things I Wish I Knew When My Son Was Addicted to Drugs

Anson McNulty is the Operations Director and Co-Owner of Summit Achievement. Anson grew up in New York City, and at a young age, he was diagnosed with dyslexia and sent to boarding school for teens with learning disabilities, where he first experienced the outdoors. Anson shares his unique journey into the wilderness field which includes traveling the world as a teen, working at The Wilderness School (a state-funded wilderness program), to being a field guide, team leader, and now co-owner of Summit. From Summit Achievements Website: Anson McNulty earned his Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Recreation Administration from Unity College. He is also certified as Wilderness First Responder, CPR Instructor, and CPI (Crisis Prevention and Intervention) instructor. Anson has been working with troubled teens in wilderness and residential settings since 2000 and is dedicated to helping struggling teens find their way utilizing experiential learning.  Anson has worked at Summit Achievement since 2002.  Anson enjoys family time with his wife and son, and adventuring in the backcountry, whether it be paddling, rock climbing or skiing.

Doug Dobkowski is a Team Leader at Summit Achievement.  Doug grew up in New Jersey and went on to get a teaching degree in college. Doug worked as a middle school teacher for eight years in Newark. He shares his story of how he began an Outing Club at the middle school, which inspired him to become an outdoor leader. He landed his first job as a wilderness therapy field guide in his mid 30's. He shares how he hopes to start a program that "helps every teenager in the U.S. have an outdoor adventure."

Phil Bryan is a clinical assistant at Evoke Entrada.  Phil shares his story of working as a field guide for almost 20 years in various programs, including Aspen Achievement Academy, Summit Achievement, Outward Bound Voyager, Elements Wilderness Therapy, and Outback. Phil shares his experiences of being on the "Brat Camp" television series and why he decided to get a dual master's degree at the University of New Hampshire in Social Work and Adventure Therapy after working in the field for over 20 years.

Shannon Palentchar is the Director of Admission of Summit Achievement in Maine.  Shannon grew up in North Carolina and went on an Outward Bound course right after high school and it changed the direction of her life.  She became a river guide which helped her to pay her way through college.  Shannon was a field guide at SUWS of the Carolina's in the early 2000's.  She would then go onto work at Stone Mountain School as a residential staff and then admissions director.  Shannon joined Summit Achievement in 2014.    Shannon shares her stories about how important it is to have good boundaries as a field staff or admissions director in a wilderness program.

Margie Lannon is Co-Founder of Onward Transitions a young adult transition program located in Portland, Maine. Margie had worked for 26 years in the wilderness field. She started as field staff on wagon trains that crossed the country and transitioned to being a program director on tall-ships that crossed the ocean with inner-city youth when she worked at VisionQuest. She would transition to Summit Achievement in 1999 where she was program director for over a decade.  Margie's encourages people those entering the field, "to listen and absorb feedback to see what is true and what is not." Margie's two passions are working with "troubled teens and the elderly."  She pursues both as CFO of Onward Transitions in Portland, Maine and the owner of Homewatch Caregivers of Tucson, Arizona. 

Patricia Ruggles, LCPC, is a Therapeutic Consultant at Mason and Associates. Trish has been working in the wilderness therapy field for over 15 years in a variety of positions including field staff, team leader, and therapist.  She has worked all over the country, including Oregon, New York, and Maine. Her advice to women interested in the field is to "be curious, be open, and be brave." Trish shares her story of being raised in Maine and going to college to study quantitative research.  After college she Googles, "Maine, Women and Clinical" and comes upon a wilderness therapy job at New Horizons for Young Women (which closed in 2008) and gets a job. So begins her long career in the field.  In her career, she has worked at Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy, Adirondack Leadership Expeditions, and Summit Achievement.

David Koortis is a former wilderness therapy field guide at several programs including Summit Achievement and Second Nature who went onto start Good To-Go foods which makes the best lightweight dehydrated gourmet meals in the world. David shares the story of his time as a wilderness therapy guide and what he learned from his time working in the field. He recounts how he met the amazing chef, Jennifer Scism, who would soon become his wife and business partner.  Jennifer was a chef from New York City who bought a house in Maine when she met David. Jennifer could hardly stomach the foods that David would bring for them to eat when out on overnight camping adventures so Jennifer remedied that by created amazing dehydrated foods which has evolved to become Go To-Go. Go To-Go's mission is to "create the most delicious meals, using clean ingredients, to be enjoyed wherever your adventures take you."  

Will talks with Nichol Ernst, Executive Director and Co-Owner of Summit Achievement, a hybrid wilderness therapy program in Maine. Nichol shares his unique journey into wilderness therapy including his time as a concert pianist, world class sailor and his challenges when getting an ivy league education.  Nichol reveals how he first found out about Summit Achievement and went from being a field guide to clinician to clinical director to executive director and, now, owner.

Will White authored Stories From the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy (Amazon link below). He currently runs Summit Achievement (www.summitachievement.com) an adolescent wilderness therapy program with a heavy emphasis on academics. He took a year to travel Asia and study buddhism and has a fascinating story to tell about it. For anyone thinking about going to a wilderness program or wanting more outdoors exposure in your life, this could be a very informative interview. https://www.amazon.com/Stories-From-The-Field-Wilderness-ebook/dp/B016YNG7F8