Interview with Shelley

Q: Why do you work in wilderness therapy?
A: I have seen first hand the benefits of playing and working in the outdoors for both adults and children. Over the last 14 years, I have taught, coached, guided, trained, volunteered, and/or counseled others in a variety of roles. I have worked with many diverse populations such as at-risk youth, people with disabilities, adolescents of all ages, families, and the homeless. I have been able to facilitate others in gaining new skills and knowledge about themselves, and assist them in making changes which enhance their lives.

Q: Why do you think wilderness works?
A: The wilderness setting seems to be an optimal vehicle for change; often individuals find themselves outside of their comfort zones attempting to engage in new activities that are quite unfamiliar to them. As they learn to trust themselves and others through these uncomfortable activities, a new, subtle confidence starts to grow. When we use metaphors, their approach to wilderness activities can be bridged to their approach to other areas of their life. If someone has a tangible success experience in the wilderness, that success can never be denied or taken away. It is something they can hold on to as they move through life. Ultimately, for me, the joy of seeing someone “get it” and truly understand whatever is being shared is limitless.

Q: What do you believe our students need?
A: Youth struggle with so much. They are trying to grow into themselves, honor the values and beliefs of their family, hang out and try to be cool with their peers, and attempt to be comfortable in their own skin as it literally changes from one day to the next. It cannot be easy. To top off these trials, our youth are continuously challenged by this ever changing and demanding world. During this significant time period, young adults need to be supported by therapies that will allow them to face this critical time in their lives with a sense of adventure and confidence. The wilderness offers an opportunity for youth to learn to be comfortable with who they are and develop their unique gifts. Wilderness therapy can foster skills in adolescents which will enhance their ability to thrive in all areas of their lives.

Q: What are your unique gifts that can help our students?
A: I am an individual who has experienced my fair share of rides on life’s up and down roller coaster. I grew up in a house with wonderful parents who were terrible partners. Our home was not peaceful, but volatile – full of yelling, screaming, and lots of broken dishes. After my parents saw the light and divorced, I was given another opportunity to live in a new house with a step-mom and three step sisters. Experiences in this house were less than favorable and were compounded by my rocky communication with my Dad. All of these experiences have allowed me to be more empathic, patient, tolerant, understanding and compassionate towards others. While I would love to have a life filled to the brim with happiness, I have learned that even the most heart wrenching experiences have given me the opportunity to grow and have made me even more appreciative of the small things in life that provide joy and goodness. I try to live my life in a way that I will not have regret for my actions; therefore, I live so that at the end of each day, I can say, I did my very best.

Q: How do you feel your life experiences have affected the work you do?
A: My life path has allowed me to be more understanding of others. It seems to me that we are all trying to be accepted and loved by others and often in an attempt to create this experience we act out in less than appropriate ways. What most individuals really need is to be heard. I believe I am exceptional at listening to others and helping them determine where their true paths lie. I am excellent at helping others decide where they need to go, what they need to work toward, and at assisting them by offering motivation and support during these times of often overwhelming change. Another asset is my ambition to constantly seek out truth in all areas of my life and to continually redefine my world view to allow for tolerance, compassion, understanding, and unconditional acceptance towards others.

Q: What do you do for fun?
A: I love to play outdoors. I enjoy whitewater rafting trips, snowboarding in all weather conditions, trail running in beautiful environments, hiking, snow shoeing, camping and mountain biking. Any opportunity to be outside means an opportunity for fun. I also enjoy to hole up with a good book; it’s a chance to go adventuring in the mind and find more inspiration for life. One can never estimate the power of good book! I am curious by nature and "fun" to me also means creating experiences where I can continually learn.

Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?
A: I don’t have just one greatest inspiration. The individuals who have inspired me over the years have been a combination of my teachers, mentors, friends and coaches. They seemed to have such passion for their jobs; they were able to motivate and inspire whole groups or just individuals. They gave of themselves without expecting anything in return; they seemed to have respect for everyone (no matter their size, age, or color), integrity, wisdom, infinite kindness, and generosity. For me, they were rays of sunshine in my sometimes confusing world. So often, they saw something special in me before I did. They gave lasting gifts by helping me to cultivate the unique sides of myself. I carry a piece of them into every new situation. They were unselfish. I don’t think any of them will ever know how they changed my life for the better. I aspire to be like so many of them and to give gifts to others by holding up a mirror and showing others their strengths, courage, and exceptional gifts they hold within themselves.

Q: What are some of the defining moments in your life?
A: When I was sixteen I went to visit my older brother who was a raft guide in Colorado. Then I thought I was quite fat and I was extremely uncomfortable with who I was, wishing desperately to be anybody else but me. I spent a week playing in the outdoors – going on raft trips, hiking, kayaking, and hanging out with these incredible people. I felt accepted for the first time in my life – no one cared what I looked like, they all seemed to genuinely enjoy my company, and I felt they actually listened to what I had to say. For someone who never fit the picture of mainstream American beauty, it was a powerful experience.

Q: What has led you to where you are in your life today?
A: After the rafting experience when I was sixteen, I decided that this was a community I wanted to be a part of when I grew up. This started me on a path to becoming a raft guide, which was an exceptional choice considering how afraid of water I was back then! Since then I have continued to take on challenges in the outdoors. My career as a snowboard instructor in Jackson, Wyoming led me to new opportunities to face even greater fears and develop my confidence in what I am capable of doing. It also allowed me to see what joy I receive when I am teaching others to move on to the next level in their life. All of these experiences have led me on my path to become a counselor. Currently, I am finishing my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with the intention to combine my two passions, the outdoors and counseling.

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