January 28th, 2022
Join Our Team! Open Sky is Hiring Therapists in Family Services Department
Open Sky is unique for our family-centered approach to the therapeutic process: we believe that actively engaging the entire family system is essential for students’ long-term growth. While students receive treatment in wilderness, families participate in a parallel process. They learn about the foundations of effective communication and practice essential skills to complement their child’s […]
January 18th, 2022
Bearing Witness: A Conversation with Clinical Therapist Maura Nolan
Open Sky Wilderness Therapy is excited to welcome Clinical Therapist Maura Nolan, LPC, ACMHC, NCC to the clinical team! Maura has vast experience in crisis intervention and trauma-based psychotherapy. She received her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Maryland, where she studied psychology and criminal forensics. She received her master’s degree in mental health and wellness from New […]
May 7th, 2021
Family Systems Therapy: What Is It, and Why Does It Work?
Brian Leidal a therapist in Family Services at Open Sky. In this Q&A, he explains what family systems therapy is, why we use it at Open Sky, and how it empowers the entire family system to shift toward healthier dynamics. What is family systems therapy? Family systems therapy is based on psychologist Murray Bowen’s […]
April 28th, 2021
Meet Early Adolescent Program Director Liz Lucarelli
We are excited to welcome Liz Lucarelli to Open Sky as the early adolescent program director. Liz has extensive experience working with kids ages 12-14 and their families in wilderness settings. She brings this knowledge to her role at Open Sky, where she directs program and curriculum development, staff training, and clinical oversight. We are […]
April 28th, 2021
Unapologetically Themselves: Why Mark Sobel Loves Working with Early Adolescents
Mark Sobel is the clinical therapist for early adolescent boys. Get to know Mark in the Q&A below! How did you discover the power of wilderness for yourself? I struggled as a kid dealing with my own depression and anxiety, and it often felt like something was missing. I didn’t have an outlet that felt […]
April 27th, 2021
Cultivating Curiosity and Awareness: A Conversation with Clinical Therapist Julia Lehr
In the Q&A below, get to know Julia Lehr, therapist for early adolescent girls. How did you develop a passion for mental health, family therapy, and wilderness? Mental health has always been a part of my life. There are mental health issues in my family, as well as with some of my friends, so I […]
March 4th, 2021
How Clinical Therapist Brooke Lederer Partners with Wilderness to Promote Growth and Healing
Can you tell us about your background and what led you to pursue your master’s in social work? I grew up in Carbondale, Colorado and went to a really outdoorsy high school whose motto was, “Education inside and out.” It provided a very supportive community environment. We went on backpacking trips, kayaking trips, and I […]
August 5th, 2020
Full Circle: A Conversation with Sam Verutti, Clinical Therapist for Adolescent Boys
Meet Sam Verutti, MSW, clinical therapist for adolescent boys at Open Sky Wilderness Therapy. Sam’s clinical approach is enriched by his childhood immersed in the outdoors, his experience as a wilderness therapy student, and over three years working as an Open Sky field guide. His journey has come full circle since earning his Master’s of […]
May 26th, 2020
Opening Doors and Building Connection: A Conversation with Clinical Therapist Nick Lenderking-Brill
Get to know Nick Lenderking-Brill, therapist for adolescent boys! Nick began his time at Open Sky Wilderness Therapy as a Family Services intern while pursuing his Master’s degree at Naropa University. With family services, guiding, transport, operations, and clinical experience, Nick’s depth of knowledge and expertise is a huge asset in his work with students […]
January 30th, 2019
Step Into Your Potential: A Conversation with Adolescent Boys Senior Therapist, Jonathan Mitchell, MA, LPC
What led you to choose a career in wilderness therapy as opposed to working in a more traditional setting? I began in this industry as a field guide in 2001. To be honest, the reason I took the job was that I couldn’t find work living in Bend, Oregon at the time. But about three […]