Open Sky Wilderness Therapy Celebrates Therapist, Jonathan Mitchell’s 10 Year Anniversary

January 23, 2020

Durango, Colo., (January 23, 2020) – Open Sky, a wilderness therapy program nestled in the mountains of southwest Colorado and the canyonlands of southeast Utah, is proud to celebrate Clinical Therapist for Adolescent Boys, Jonathan “Badger” Mitchell’s 10-year anniversary at Open Sky Wilderness Therapy. For the past decade, Jonathan has shared his extensive expertise serving adolescents, young adults, and families, while delivering an unmatched positivity and passion for his work.

Following his undergraduate education in math and physics, Jonathan changed course and pursued work in wilderness therapy. For the next six years, he gained valuable experience as a field guide, field supervisor, and field director. Inspired by the magic of the wilderness in motivating change, Jonathan went on to earn a Master’s in Counseling from Naropa University in 2007, followed by a certificate in Gestalt Therapy from the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies in 2008. He brought his extensive field and clinical experience to the Open Sky team in 2009, when he joined as a Family Quest^TM therapist and primary therapist for adolescent boys. Outside of work, Jonathan can be found exploring the Southwest through rock climbing, trail running, and telemark skiing. He also maintains a daily meditation and yoga practice.

“It is impossible for me to communicate in a few lines the tremendous admiration I have for Jonathan’s clinical capability, or the appreciation I have for the life-changing help he has given our son and our family,” said Kathy, Alumni Parent from 2018. “Jonathan is a rare find; unmatched by the other therapists who have worked with our son. He came to understand him very quickly and was so effective in helping him identify and work through issues.”

At Open Sky, Jonathan’s areas of clinical expertise include oppositional defiance, adoption/attachment issues, treatment resistance, navigating non-traditional and complex family systems, substance abuse and addiction, depression, anxiety, and trauma. His clinical approach draws on the teachings of dialectical behavioral therapy, Gestalt therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and years of experience as a field guide.

“Jonathan’s exuberance and passion for the power of wilderness therapy is as palpable today as it was a decade ago. His bright spirit and ability to share with compassion and candor inspires Open Sky students, families and staff alike,” said Emily Fernandes, Open Sky Co-Founder and Executive Director. “Congratulations, Jonathan, we are so grateful to have you as part of the team!”

To learn more about Jonathan, check out his SKYlights podcast episode titled: Preparing Your Child for the Road (Not the Road for Your Child): How Challenge Cultivates Resilience in Young People and through his many expert blog posts found on the Open Sky website. To learn more about Open Sky Wilderness Therapy, please visit: www.openskywilderness.com.

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About Open Sky Wilderness

Nestled in the mountains of southwest Colorado and the canyon country of southeast Utah, Open Sky transcends traditional wilderness therapy with an approach that emphasizes treatment for the whole family. By partnering with Open Sky, each family member embarks on a rewarding adventure of self-discovery, learning valuable skills which promote lasting success. The Open Sky clinical approach utilizes the latest in evidence-based clinical modalities integrated with innovative, research-driven 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.