Blog
Notes from the Field: Empowering Field Guides to Navigate the Challenges of Wilderness Therapy.
By Nick Ho
Living with and doing trauma-informed healing work with adolescents and young adults in the woods of central Oregon is one of those things that you can never be fully prepared for. Some days you’re doing wound care for a student’s self-harm injuries, others you’re singing Taylor Swift songs in chorus. Some days you’re navigating the complexities of disordered eating in the wilderness, others still you’re sitting next to a student who breaks down crying because you’re the first male figure in their life to say you’re proud of them. Even on the simplest of days, you’re practicing calming and controlling your own nervous system when surrounded by dysregulated teenagers threatening to run away in the middle of the night or punch you in the face.
What is “Experiential” and Why it’s at the Heart of Wilderness Therapy
Experiential is integral to what we do at Deschutes Wilderness Therapy, and yet there is a lot of confusion around just what that means. A few of our experts, Allison Twidwell, Experiential Education Director, and Bianca Milia, Deschutes Young Adult Field Director, share what it is and how it supports the therapeutic process for young adults…
Read MoreShining a Light on Codependency and Narcissism
The conversation around codependent and narcissistic behavior has gained popularity over the last decade. A stereotype is that codependent equals ‘needy.’ However, codependency and narcissism are similar in that they are both driven by need, albeit in different ways. We will discuss their similarities and differences and how they can present in family, partner, and…
Read MoreThe Drama Triangle – What is It and How You Can Shape Healthy Relationships
You’ve probably experienced and or stepped out of a drama triangle at least once. This blog will explain the drama triangle and how you can form healthier relationships. What is a Drama Triangle? The term Drama Triangle is a concept that Psychologist Stephen Karpman introduced in 1968.It is also known as the ‘Victim Triangle’ and…
Read MoreInner Child Wounds
Healing Your Inner Child Wounds Can Support Your Growth as a Family Most people wouldn’t claim their childhood was perfect. Almost everyone has at least some emotional inner child wounds. Some wounds occur from one humiliating experience, or a notable instance of broken trust, for example. How deep your inner child wounds are, depends on…
Read MoreParenting: How to Let Go – Even When It’s Hard
As parents, you want your child to be healthy, joyful, safe, and successful. What that means to you and how you strive to support your child in these ways can have the opposite effect. It can be challenging! Sometimes when a parent attempts to direct these outcomes for their son or daughter, it’s because of…
Read MoreSelf-Care Isn’t Selfish
Self-care after 2020 has taken on new meaning and importance. Many practices before the pandemic still apply, a few others, not as much. Strict time-keeping to a workout or meditation at 5 am may not make as much sense for those of us who continue to work/school from home or do some hybrid of both.…
Read MoreProcessing Parental Grief: When the Concept of a ‘Normal’ Family is Shattered
As parents, you may have held a standard of what you want or hoped for your family. You had a pretty clear idea of how you’d like your family to grow together. Having a child or children with mental health challenges can turn your expectations on its head. There is nothing shameful about the grief…
Read MoreHow Parents Can Help Destigmatize Their Teen’s Mental Illness
Most parents of teens grew up during a time where mental illness was something to keep quiet or was considered shameful. You didn’t feel cool telling your friends about your anxiety attack or being depressed. Your parent’s generation was more likely to ask you to keep such details quiet, or they minimally acknowledged it. The…
Read MoreACE Test Aids in Depression, Suicide Awareness in Troubled Youth
Depression and suicide in the United States among troubled youth have been on the rise prior to 2020. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) are proving to be key factors that influence these events in teens and adolescence. ACE Test Factors – A Breakdown ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are those that occurred before a child’s eighteen birthday.…
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