The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Join Dr. Ken Huey on The Voice of Hope, where real stories and expert insights meet to inspire healing and transformation. With decades of experience in behavioral health and trauma therapy, Dr. Huey draws from his personal journey and professional expertise to offer practical advice for families, adoptees, and anyone seeking growth. Discover strategies to navigate trauma, build stronger relationships, and embrace hope in every episode. Tune in for thoughtful conversations that uplift and empower.
The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Will White: Outdoor Mental Health, Wilderness Therapy, and Building Resilience
In this episode of The Voice of Hope Podcast, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Will White, a trailblazer in outdoor mental health treatment. With over 30 years of experience bridging mental health, adventure therapy, and the healing power of nature, Will shares insights from his career leading wilderness therapy programs, mentoring young adults, and guiding men’s retreats in the White Mountains.
Will discusses the evolution of outdoor therapy, common misconceptions about young adults in treatment, and the underrated value of hands-on vocational skills. He also reflects on resiliency, regulation, and the importance of spending time in nature in 2025 and beyond.
Whether you’re a clinician, educator, parent, or someone passionate about mental health, this conversation offers inspiration, practical advice, and hope for the future of outdoor behavioral health.
Listen and discover how nature, mentorship, and meaningful work can transform lives.
00:14 – 00:57 | Introduction
Ken Huey: Today’s guest has spent more than 30 years at the intersection of mental health leadership and the healing power of the outdoors… Will White brings a rare blend of experience, heart, and storytelling to the conversation. Will, thank you.
Will White: Ken, thank you for inviting me on your podcast.
01:00 – 01:09 | Getting Started
Ken Huey: I’m really curious to know a little bit about what’s your why. How did you get into this to start, if we could?
Will White: [Shares early experiences with outdoor therapy, hiking with his father, and discovering the therapeutic power of the outdoors.]
03:04 – 03:55 | Outdoors and Clinical Work
Ken Huey: Say a little bit more about being in the outdoors and why that lends itself to just better clinical work.
Will White: [Explains how nature supports relational and co-regulated therapeutic work.]
04:00 – 04:09 | Changes in Outdoor Therapy
Ken Huey: You came into it with expectations relative to outdoor therapy and adventure therapy. Anything, any ideas that have changed greatly about outdoor therapy in that time?
Will White: [Discusses evolution in outdoor therapy approaches, importance of parental and family involvement, and current research on daily nature exposure.]
05:46 – 06:51 | Leadership Lessons
Ken Huey: You’ve built programs from the ground up at Summit Achievement. What would be one leadership lesson from Summit that still guides you today?
Will White: [Talks about consistency, modeling humility, building culture, and the importance of relationships.]
06:51 – 07:38 | Young Adults and Motivation
Ken Huey: So here you are now at the trade. Tell us something, a common assumption that might be incorrect about that kind of a young adult.
Will White: [Explains that lack of motivation is often a misconception; mentorship and meaningful work are key.]
07:44 – 09:52 | Families and Anxiety
Ken Huey: What’s something that you see in families today that you just didn’t see at the beginning of your career?
Will White: [Reflects on increased anxiety in families, media influence, and resilience lessons from nature.]
10:05 – 11:46 | Stories from the Field Podcast
Ken Huey: You talked about Stories from the Field, so a little bit about your podcast. Is there one person or story where you really shifted your thinking based on that interview?
Will White: [Shares impactful stories from former students and parents, highlighting Nathan Olson’s journey.]
12:03 – 12:52 | Successful Transition into Adulthood
Ken Huey: Well, tell me about successful transition into adulthood. Anything big that you would tell us in 2025 and 2026?
Will White: [Focuses on resiliency, regulation, responsibility, leaning into discomfort, and self-discipline.]
13:11 – 14:11 | Innovation in Outdoor Behavioral Health
Ken Huey: What excites you about outdoor behavioral health? What’s the innovation coming or something you see as positive?
Will White: [Discusses expanding access, outpatient integration, and growing recognition of outdoor therapy’s mental health benefits.]
14:14 – 15:51 | Men’s Retreats
Ken Huey: What is usually the first shift that you see when people unplug and get outside?
Will White: [Explains how men often begin by simply being present, sharing stories, and creating resilience in community.]
15:55 – 17:43 | Clinical Identity and Self-Care
Ken Huey: Is there a part of your clinical world that is difficult for you to run with?
Will White: [Shares about vicarious trauma, self-awareness, and using metaphor of a compost heap for growth.]
17:55 – 19:13 | Vocational Work
Ken Huey: What’s the most underrated skill a young adult gains from hands-on vocational work?
Will White: [Talks about self-sufficiency, technical skills, and lifelong benefits of vocational training.]
19:19 – 20:12 | Redesigning Mental Health Treatment
Ken Huey: If you could redesign one element of traditional mental health treatment models, what would it be?
Will White: [Encourages outdoor supervision and walking-based therapy for better relational outcomes.]
20:25 – 21:18 | A Story of Hope
Ken Huey: Is there a story, something that you’ve seen, that gives you hope in our field?
Will White: [Shares optimism about AI, greater public openness to mental health conversations, and hope through stories.]
21:18 – 22:13 | Closing Thoughts
Ken Huey: Thanks and reflections on Will’s career and impact.
Will White: Thanks and reflection on friendship and leadership.
