205: WinGate's Closure and the Future of Wilderness Therapy Programs
Stories from the Field: Mental Health and the Outdoors
English - August 29, 2023 09:30 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MB - ★★★★★ - 70 ratingsHealth & Fitness Education Self-Improvement adventure behavioralhealthcare outdoor therapy wildernesstherapy Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
In this revealing special episode, we dive into the announcement that WinGate Wilderness Therapy in Utah is closing in September. WinGate has joined three other outdoor behavioral healthcare programs (SUWS of the Carolinas, Aspiro, Outback) to shutter its doors in recent months. We trace WinGate's origins, its rapid rise under Shayne and Sherry Gallagher and Family Help and Wellness, and ponder why these wilderness therapy programs, once hailed as life-changers, now face such existential challenges. Beyond the heartfelt narratives, we also explore the broader shifts in the industry, from public perceptions to the financial challenges that many residential wilderness therapy programs face today. By contrasting historical trends, such as the closure of Tent Therapy programs in the early 1900s, the post-Great Recession closures, and the current mental health crisis, we attempt to paint a comprehensive picture of where wilderness therapy stands today and where it may be going. Tune in for a broader understanding of the evolving field of mental health treatment in the outdoors.