203: Reimagining Therapy in the Outdoors: Darcy Holt's Path at Three Peaks Ascent

In this episode, we talk with Darcy Holt, admissions director of Three Peaks Ascent, a new outdoor mental health treatment program in Utah.  Darcy also helps at Red Cliff Ascent, a wilderness therapy program that is a partner program of Three Peaks. Darcy discusses the similarities and differences between the two programs and how Three Peaks Ascent is reimbursable by insurance companies to help young people and their families get financial support for treatment.

Darcy highlights the unique aspects of the Three Peaks program, such as the ability for program therapists to have phone calls and conduct family sessions with parents and students staying in yurts during their stay. She shares the story of a 15-year-old boy who has experienced significant mental health treatment and is currently covered by insurance for his treatment at Three Peaks.  She also shares how Three Peaks helps young people with anxiety.

Darcy reflects on her unexpected journey into the field after leaving an unhealthy job over a half dozen years ago to find purpose in helping families around a campfire at Red Cliff. Darcy also highlights the benefits of outdoor spaces on mental well-being, emphasizing the importance of providing experiences that traditional hospital settings do not offer.

Darcy also reviews the upcoming 2023 Wilderness Therapy Symposium, of which she is the chairperson as well as her hopes and concerns for the future of the field.

Season 17 of Stories from the Field is focused on Anxiety and is underwritten by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.