{"podcast":{"title":"Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors","slug":"stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882","podcast_index_feed_id":7027882,"rss_url":"https://rss.libsyn.com/shows/131706/destinations/803158.xml","website_url":"http://storiesfromthefield.com","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/d/e/2/a/de2a85da199a6759d959afa2a1bf1c87/StoriesFromTheField.jpg","author":"Will White","episode_count":319,"summary":"Stories from the Field: Mental Health in the Outdoors is an authoritative and enlightening podcast that explores the vast landscape of mental health therapies in outdoor settings. Hosted by seasoned mental health professional Dr. Will White, the podcast offers deep insights into outdoor therapies like Adventure Therapy, Eco-Therapy, Wilderness Therapy, and Experiential Therapy, among others. Dr. White engages with a diverse range of guests, including leading researchers, practitioners, authors, executive directors, guide staff, mental health clinicians, and critics, helping to shed light on the nuances of these unique therapy practices. In addition to exploring the modern implications of these evolving therapeutic modalities, he delves into their rich history, providing a holistic perspective for listeners. With over 30 years of experience at the juncture of mental health and outdoor environments, Dr. White's expertise is unparalleled. As a co-founder of the pioneering Summit Achievement, an adventure therapy program based in Maine, he has been a guiding force in the field since the 1990s. His scholarly contributions include the book \"Stories from the Field: A History of Wildernes…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-14T20:19:22.737142+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882"},"episode":{"title":"296: Is Wilderness Therapy Like Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy? A Conversation with Dr. Sandy Newes","slug":"296-is-wilderness-therapy-like-psychedelic-assisted-therapy-a-conversation-with-dr-sandy-newes","published_at":"2025-12-23T11:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882/296-is-wilderness-therapy-like-psychedelic-assisted-therapy-a-conversation-with-dr-sandy-newes","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882","url":"https://storiesfromthefield.libsyn.com/296-is-wilderness-therapy-like-psychedelic-assisted-therapy-a-conversation-with-dr-sandy-newes","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/storiesfromthefield/Sandy-Newes-2.mp3?dest-id=803158","summary":"Does wilderness therapy create an altered state similar to psychedelic-assisted therapy? And what can both approaches teach us about trauma, embodiment, and lasting change?In this final episode of Season 25, Will sits down with Dr. Sandy Newes, a psychologist, educator, and longtime experiential practitioner whose career bridges wilderness therapy, trauma-informed care, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. A 2025 recipient of the Association for Experiential Education Michael Stratton Practitioner Award, Sandy reflects on decades in the field—exploring how experience, embodiment, and nervous system regulation can create meaningful change far beyond insight alone. Together, Will and Sandy examine the surprising parallels between wilderness therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy, including altered states, ethical use of power, choice and agency, and the importance of strong therapeutic containers. They also reflect on the evolution of wilderness therapy—what has been lost, what still matters, and why outdoor-based mental health treatment remains essential despite controversy and program closures. This conversation serves as a powerful bridge into Season 26 of Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors, which will explore the complex history, ethics, and future of outdoor behavioral healthcare. To connect with Dr. Newes and hear her podcast- check out her website- https://livingmedicineinstitute.com/about/ This podcast is supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute ( wmai.org) , offering adventure inspired retreats for men and facilitated by Will White.","meta_description":"Does wilderness therapy create an altered state similar to psychedelic-assisted therapy? And what can both approaches teach us about trauma, embodiment, a…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2661,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882/episodes/296-is-wilderness-therapy-like-psychedelic-assisted-therapy-a-conversation-with-dr-sandy-newes/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/stories-from-the-field-mental-health-and-the-outdoors-7027882/296-is-wilderness-therapy-like-psychedelic-assisted-therapy-a-conversation-with-dr-sandy-newes.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}