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Viewing entries posted in 2014

Treating Attachment Issues in the Field

Posted by Matt Hoag, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist on May 14, 2014 | 0 comment(s)

1matt resizedResearch indicates that adopted adolescents are at higher risk in areas including school achievement and problems, substance use, psychological well-being, physical health, fighting, and lying to parents.While adoptees account for 2% of the child population in the US. (US Census, 2000), they account for roughly 18% of Second Nature’s recent outcome study sample. This difference in percentage calls attention to this population and the need to better understand their treatment needs and investigate how wilderness treatment addresses these needs.

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A Meditation on Meditation

Posted by Elise Mitchell on April 23, 2014 | 0 comment(s)

The benefits of meditation and mindfulness practices are vast and becoming increasingly publicized in our culture. Today, that mattered very little. What I witnessed today stood out against all the years I’ve been teaching meditation and mindfulness practices.

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“Sugar and spice and everything nice”—in the wilderness?

Posted by Dr. Paul Goddard on April 11, 2014 | 0 comment(s)

Does the question ever come up: “is my lil’ girl too delicate or fragile for the woods?” Great question! Girls (and women) in our society are often portrayed as weak, defenseless, helpless, and above all, vulnerable! In a recent Second Nature blog post Sabrina Hadeed explored the vulnerability and strength of young women (Girls Daring Greatly: Elements of vulnerability and strength in a therapeutic wilderness setting). I believe that her post opens an extremely important conversation about the value and power of a wilderness experience in the lives of young women. I propose to continue this discussion forward as we examine how society’s beliefs are crippling and marginalizing young women, and the role that wilderness can play in restoring dignity and identity. I invite YOU to join in this conversation.

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Out of the Office, Into the Woods: Lessons from the Field

Posted by Dr. Brad Reedy, Founding Partner on April 02, 2014 | 0 comment(s)

reedyNearly two decades ago when I was looking for a job, a mentor suggested I apply at a Wilderness Therapy program. I left several introductory phone calls with the clinical director to inquire about a potential job opening, but my attempts went unanswered. So I decided to make the three-hour drive to their base camp office in Loa, Utah. I arrived with my resume in hand, a flannel-lined sleeping bag in my duffel, and the confidence that I was right for the position.

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Courage is Contagious

Posted by Lauren Roberts on March 31, 2014 | 0 comment(s)

1975018 10151973033976711 871816384 n“Don’t ask the world what it wants from you, ask yourself what makes you come to life. Because what the world really needs are more people who have come to life.”

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Girls Daring Greatly: Elements of vulnerability and strength in a therapeutic wilderness setting.

Posted by Sabrina Marie Hadeed, MA, LPC, NCC on February 26, 2014 | 0 comment(s)

When discussing the idea of girls in the wilderness, the topic of vulnerability comes up a lot. Often it is in the context of how girls are vulnerable in fragile ways that we often want to protect or tuck away. However, having been a teenage girl myself and having worked as a therapist now for 8 years – I can confidently say that vulnerability among girls in the wilderness has more to do with courage and resilience than anything else.

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Promising Results for Young Adults…

Posted by Evoke Therapy Programs on February 03, 2014 | 0 comment(s)

A Second Nature Study, Published in the Journal of Residential Treatment of Children and Youth, Suggests Promising Results for Young Adults in Wilderness Therapy

The Journal of Residential Treatment for Children and Youth published an article by Second Nature researchers entitled, “Efficacy of Wilderness Therapy for Young Adults: A First Look”. This is one of the first studies examining outcomes for young adults in wilderness therapy, and suggests promising results for this group.

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“A Brand New Life”—One Student’s Brave Journey… A Journal by Caite

Posted by Evoke Therapy Programs on February 03, 2014 | 0 comment(s)

My Journey: Second Nature Entrada

October 22, 2012- December 18, 2012

My journey at Second Nature Entrada is one I will never forget. It was the start of the rest of my life. The feelings and emotions I had before entering the wilderness were ones I never thought would change. Feelings of emptiness, heavy sadness, hopelessness, and anger swirled in my body as I boarded the plane to go to Utah. I remember feeling anxious and overwhelmed, not knowing what to expect and not knowing what I had just signed myself up for. At this point I felt this program was my last shot at living, feeling like if it didn’t “work” I was destined to committing suicide. I held my breath, my heart beating out of my chest… I got off the plane, ready or not– my journey begins.

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