Learn More: A Radio Interview with Open Sky Senior Field Guide
Tim Murphy, Veteran Field Guide on the Air
Interview Aired on Wednesday, March 9th at 1pm (Central Time) on Critical Thinking in the Real World
On Wednesday, March 9th Tim Murphy, a Senior Field Guide at Open Sky was featured on the show Critical Thinking in the Real World discussing the unique holistic wilderness therapy model at Open Sky and sharing his perspective on how and why it helps teens and young adults struggling with mental health issues.
Tim Murphy began his career at Three Rivers Montana in 2004 ascending to field leadership positions as a Senior Guide and Team Leader. He has worked with hundreds of students, including adolescents, young adults and families. After a few attempts to do other work, the meaning and purpose of wilderness therapy led him to join the Open Sky team in 2007. At Open Sky, in addition to being a senior in each of our teams at one point or another, he has served as a guide trainer and field manager.
The show gave listeners a glimpse into the day and life of field guides and students at Open Sky. Open Sky maintains the most-qualified field guide team in the industry. Open Sky guides average just under 30 years of age with more than 50% of them having worked for a previous wilderness therapy program prior to joining Open Sky. A guide’s highest priority is to foster emotional and physical safety for each and every student at all times. Open Sky maintains the most extensive hiring and training requirements in the industry, demanding each applicant be a certified Wilderness First Resonder and successfully complete the rigorous 12-day field guide training process and 24-day apprenticeship prior to becoming a full-time guide. Learn More about being a field guide.
Field guides work hand-in-hand with the clinical therapist overseeing each student’s treatment. In addition, guides run daily group process sessions, teach curriculum, and oversee the varied program activities. Field guides are really the heart and soul of the Open Sky program, providing ongoing mentorship, guidance, and leadership to the students every day of their tenure. Seven of Open Sky’s nine owners were field guides prior to starting Open Sky in 2006.
