Jason St. Mary
Family Quest Senior Guide
Joined Open Sky: January 2007
In Wilderness Therapy since: 2007
Interview with Jason St. Mary
June 2009
Q. If you were able to meet anyone (living or dead), who would it be and why?
A. Carl Gustav Jung, the father of psychoanalysis. He was a man far ahead of his time on some many levels.
Q. What are a few of the defining moments in your life and why?
A. I only recently learned I am to be a father. I can think of no other moment in my life more defining.
Q. Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?
A. My younger sister is, without a doubt, my inspiration in life. She has Down’s syndrome, and has had to fight for her life from the time of her birth. She is perhaps the greatest single reason for my pursuance for a degree in psychology. In life when I find myself struggling, I can always envision the immense difficulties she has had to overcome, and bring myself out of my own pity-party and return to reality. Without her presence in my life, I know my path would have been unfulfilled.
Q. What are your unique gifts and/or experiences that help our students?
A. I have always had a unique ability to help those who struggle, whether it be with myself or a person unknown to me. I have gone through some personal troubles in life, and surfaced as a more complete individual. I believe this insight allows me to delve into the problems of our students, and aid them in their own recovery without biases. I feel completely comfortable in the wilderness (more so than the so-called “real world”), and I think our students can perceive this and it has a calming effect upon them. Trust cannot be deemphasized in life. I also strongly believe in the therapeutic effects of laughter, and I have been known, on occasion, to have a little fun and act goofy. Despite even the most extreme situations or conditions in life, each of us is in need of laughter, and I enjoy being able to provide this when necessary.
Q. Why do you work in wilderness therapy?
A. I believe my calling in life is to provide help to those in need. I have a degree in psychology, and have worked in various residential programs in the past. Despite enormous personal success, I felt unfulfilled, and was in doubt of the motivations behind the companies for which I was employed. After some personal time away from the therapy field, I became acquainted with Open Sky and immediately became interested in our shared philosophical beliefs. I cannot think of a better environment to suit the needs of our students.
Q. Why do you think wilderness therapy works?
A. When struggling in life, I believe it is extremely difficult to receive the help needed in the “real world”. From cell phones to DVDs, boyfriends to academics, or drugs to computers, distractions are unavoidable. The wilderness is primal and basic, and has no concerns whether an individual did not turn in an assignment on time or was flirtatious with someone who they are not romantically linked to. The wilderness is unconditional, and at times unforgiving. We cannot, as much as some of us would like, control the weather, for instance. This simple statement demonstrates why I believe in the powerful, healing components of the wilderness. In the wilderness, despite our extensive attempts at control, we are outside of our comfort zones. Once this is realized and accepted, the true healing can begin.
Q. What do you think Open Sky students need?
A. The single most important gift I can give our students is intent listening. Whether it be a four year old child or an eighty-five year old grandmother, all individuals have a basic need in life to be listened to without prejudice. I believe our students need to learn to love themselves for who they are, despite past actions, thoughts, or behaviors. I also believe our students are in need of appropriate role models, and there are no shortages of these at Open Sky.
Q. What do you like to do for fun when you aren’t working in the field?
A. I spend the majority of my free time out-of-doors, mainly skiing in the winter and rock climbing every other opportunity I have. I love music, and have quite an extensive collection. I read frequently, attempting to alternate between fiction and non-fiction, but find myself tied to real-life circumstances. I believe there is learning to be had around every corner, and pride myself in being open whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Q. Anything else you want to tell us about yourself?
A. In the span of a few months, I went for being a full-fledged dirt-bag to a responsible adult. Who is to say miracles do not occur?
Professional Experience
Peak Ascent Mentoring Services, Durango, Colorado
Life Coach/Mentor
Aspen Cafe, Durango, Colorado
Restaurant Manager & Cook
Durango Mountain Resort, Durango, Colorado
Food & Beverages, Guest Services Relations
Arizona Baptist Children's Services, Phoenix, Arizona
Behavioral Health Technician
Devereux, AZ, Scottsdale, Arizona
Direct Care Provider
Education
BS, Psychology
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
