Open Sky Wilderness Launches SKYlights Podcast

May 30, 2019

New podcast explores the unique value the outdoors provides on the journey toward wellness, self-discovery and growth

Durango, CO., (May 30, 2019) – Open Sky, a wilderness therapy program nestled in the mountains of southwest Colorado and the canyonlands of southeast Utah, is excited to announce the launch of its SKYlights podcast. In each episode of SKYlights, Open Sky Co-founder and Executive Director, Emily Fernandes will speak with staff and other experts in the field of wilderness therapy and explore the unique value that nature and adventure therapy programs provide on the journey toward wellness, self-discovery, and growth.

In this interview-style podcast, Emily facilitates thought-provoking conversations with a deep understanding of the topics discussed. Her guests offer unique perspectives based on years of experience in clinical and programmatic areas, and extensive experience in the field.

Emily, a licensed clinical social worker, is perfectly suited to connect with guests on these topics based on her passion for the outdoors and her long-standing commitment to working in wilderness therapy. Emily began her journey towards wilderness therapy in 1995 on a NOLS course. She then gained experience as a field guide for Aspen Achievement Academy and worked for Hurricane Island Outward Bound School and Connecticut Wilderness School. She helped found Open Sky in 2006.

During her first five years at Open Sky, Emily worked as a lead therapist with adolescent girls. Her therapeutic experience and areas of clinical expertise include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, self-harm, disordered eating, and adoption and attachment issues. At Open Sky, Emily is known for her direct, caring leadership style, her ability to inspire excellence in others, and her team-oriented approach.

In each episode of the SKYlights podcast, Emily will thoughtfully guide conversations with clinical therapists, family counselors, directors, field guides, and other experts about key topics related to wilderness therapy and the family systems approach. The model at Open Sky integrates the latest in evidence-based clinical studies with innovative, well-researched mindfulness and holistic healing practices. SKYlights aims to showcase these meaningful conversations with the experts.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to talk with our expert staff about topics related to wilderness therapy and treatment,” said Emily. “I’m grateful for this platform to share our conversations with a larger audience who might benefit from what we discuss. It’s exciting that we can offer parents both a unique perspective on the meaningful work we do at Open Sky and a new connection to the passionate people who carry out that work.”

Episodes of the SKYlights podcast presented by Open Sky Wilderness Therapy will be available anywhere you get your podcasts and the first episode launches today, Thursday, May 30. Other episodes will only be available to currently enrolled parents through Open Sky’s secure Parent Portal. A sampling of episode topics include Game Changer: Utilizing Wilderness Therapy to Treat Adolescent Gaming Disorder, with Morgan Seymour (LCSW Clinical Therapist for adolescent boys), Preparing the Road for Your Child (Not Your Child for the Road): How Challenge Cultivates Resilience in Young People, with Jonathan Mitchell (Clinical Therapist for adolescent boys), How Will Wilderness Benefit Me, an interview with Mariah Loftin (Clinical Therapist for young adults) and Transition Age Young Adults: How Are They Unique, an interview with Chris Blankenship (Clinical Therapist for transition age young adults, 18-20).

To learn more about the SKYlights podcast and to subscribe, please visit Open Sky’s podcast page which will provide episode previews, guest profiles and more information about the topics covered in each episode.

To learn more about Open Sky Wilderness Therapy, please visit:  www.openskywilderness.com.

 About Open Sky Wilderness

Nestled in the mountains of southwest Colorado and the Canyonlands of southeast Utah, Open Sky transcends traditional wilderness therapy with an approach that emphasizes treatment for the whole family. When a family partners with Open Sky, they embark on a rewarding adventure of self-discovery and learn a range of strategies that promote lasting success. The Open Sky clinical approach utilizes the latest in evidence-based clinical modalities integrated with innovative, well-researched mindfulness and holistic healing practices. Therapists develop treatment plans, provide individual and group psychotherapy, and update families each week via teleconference. Students participate in daily process groups and a wide range of experiential activities designed to increase awareness and facilitate healing.