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What makes wilderness therapy different from traditional therapy? How can nature deepen real-time healing? Why are therapy boundaries essential on retreats, and how can you navigate the space safely for both therapist and client?
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok discusses wilderness therapy and “Paddling with Perfectionism”, a surf retreat to cultivate pleasure, presence, and play, featuring Kristen Ales, LPC, and Kristin Mathes, LCSW.
Podcast Sponsor: Headway
I want to thank Headway for sponsoring this episode.
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Meet Kristen Ales, LPC
Kristen Ales is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the founder of Wilder Wellness, a practice dedicated to helping individuals build stronger, more trusting relationships with their bodies. With over a decade of experience, Kristen specializes in treating disordered eating, negative body image, and self-esteem issues. She employs a variety of psychodynamic approaches, including narrative-based therapy and Internal Family Systems, to guide clients toward healing and self-acceptance.
Visit Wilder Wellness and connect on Instagram.
Meet Kristin Mathes
Kristin Mathes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the owner of Emerge Surf and Somatic Therapy, where she integrates trauma-informed psychotherapy with nature-based healing practices. Specializing in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression, Kristin utilizes techniques such as Brainspotting, HeartMath, breathwork, and trauma-sensitive yoga to help clients achieve emotional regulation and resilience. Her approach emphasizes the importance of connection and relationship in the healing process. Kristin also offers surf therapy retreats and programs, providing clients with opportunities to reclaim power and self-love through surfing and engagement with nature.
Visit Emerge Surf and Somatic Therapy. For information on Paddling with Perfectionism – here’s a gift for you: use the code JOE for a discount!
In This Podcast
- A quick wilderness therapy rundown
- Wilderness therapy benefits in real time
- Managing boundaries
- Kristin and Kristen’s advice to private practitioners
A quick wilderness therapy rundown
I like to tell people that it’s an alternative form of intensive mental healthcare treatment, and rather than being in a facility, which we typically think of when outpatient isn’t enough and we need more support and a higher level of care, typically, we think of a treatment center. It’s similar to that approach, but instead of being indoors … we are outdoors. (Kristin Mathes)
A lot of additional therapy can come from the work that is being facilitated in the adventure format.
With backpacking, hiking, camping, surfing, and others, all these outdoor activities can benefit a person alone. However, when combined with therapy and community, a person can really experience more profound positive change.
There’s a lot of group dynamic work in traditional wilderness therapy, and the way that I like to use it currently … is as a wonderful therapeutic tool. A really safe way to get into our bodies without sitting across from someone in a chair who is asking, “How do you feel in your body?” Because for most eating disorder or trauma clients, it’s overwhelming to [work solely] in the body. But if you’re hiking or outdoors, you can actually access those things in a safer way. (Kristen Ales)
Wilderness therapy benefits in real time
In wilderness therapy, therapists accompany clients, experiencing nature and sharing moments in real-time.
This adds a whole new dimension to the therapeutic process, which can be administered as and when things come up for the client, rather than them bringing their issues or trauma to the counselling room to discuss.
All sorts of stuff is going to come up, and we can meet it right when it does. Instead of having to bring it into the therapy room, we can talk about it and process it afterwards … whenever the task is complete, we can process together. (Kristin Mathes)
Wilderness therapy thus brings a different type of depth to the group as a whole, allowing individuals to both recognize and apply the therapeutic lessons they have learned.
When we’re surfing in the water, we’re all helping each other keep safe and have an amazing experience, so that’s a really powerful piece too. (Kristin Mathes)
Managing boundaries
A lot of the people who join in on the wilderness therapy retreats often already have their own therapists who aren’t Kristin and Kristen.
These folks have therefore already been exposed to therapy and are working through it actively.
What this retreat does is give them a chance to enjoy themselves in a therapy-informed setting, managed by Kristen and Kristin, so that if and when a client has something come up, they can talk about it.
The benefit of having this led by two therapists is that we’re … very intentional around the way that we structure our interventions … When we are having a deeper process [with a participant], we [make sure] that we are somewhere that feels safe and controlled. (Kristen Ales)
Kristin and Kristen’s advice to private practitioners
Kristen: Spend time outside of the therapy chair. Therapy is great, but it can happen in different settings. You can step away from it too, and give yourself some rest.
Kristin: Therapists deserve to take the time to rest and take time off to care for themselves. Personal compassion is necessary when building a business – consider taking a retreat yourself!
Sponsors Mentioned in this episode:
Useful links mentioned in this episode:
- Check out our Practice Academy!
- Sign Up to the Group Practice Boss Conference!
- Visit Emerge Surf and Somatic Therapy. For information on Paddling with Perfectionism – here’s a gift for you: use the code JOE for a discount!
- Visit Wilder Wellness and connect on Instagram.
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Meet Joe Sanok
Joe Sanok helps counselors to create thriving practices that are the envy of other counselors. He has helped counselors to grow their businesses by 50-500% and is proud of all the private practice owners who are growing their income, influence, and impact on the world. Click here to explore consulting with Joe.
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