When I think of a woman who has inspired and supported me in my career journey, I think of my old therapist. I met her when I was 14 years old. As a teenager, I deeply struggled with my mental health. When my parents no longer felt like they could protect me from getting hurt or hurting myself, they sent me to a wilderness therapy program in Utah. I was mortified and helpless when I arrived. I had no contact with the outside. However, the excruciating loneliness finally ended when a woman named Trina arrived. She told me that she was going to be my therapist and that I had no other choice. I told her that I hated the desert and hated not having control over my situation. "You must learn to be okay with whatever happens," she replied. "Why waste your energy on hating?" These few words helped me realize that I was going to be okay. Her kind eyes and soothing voice made me feel safe and understood. Her honesty and confidence were refreshing to be around. She was assertive, composed, and charming. When I met Trina, I couldn't tell if she was the mother figure I always needed or if she was everything I wanted to be, but I knew there was a deep connection between us. I lived in the desert for nearly 3 months with a group of other teenage girls. Trina came to visit us once a week, and she always brought us treats. These treats included things like applesauce, avocados, and books. The girls in my group and I ran to Trina's truck like dogs whenever she pulled up. She would spend the entire day with us and have long conversations with each group member. Trina and I would find a peaceful tree to sit under while we laughed and cried about the meaning of life. We also had group sessions, and sometimes a yoga class every once in a while. This was nothing like average therapy. I had seen dozens of therapists before going to the wilderness. Throughout my childhood, I visited more therapy offices than I can remember. I had been to outpatient and inpatient programs, in group settings and one-on-one settings. Nothing helped me the way wilderness therapy did. It reset my brain and gave me a new outlook on life. My mental health has increased exponentially ever since, and I continue to work on myself every day. Although living in the desert for three months was extremely difficult and upsetting, I still want to go back. My wilderness therapist and fellow group members saved my life, and I still think about them every day. Four years have passed since my wilderness experience, and I'm a freshman in college. I haven't seen Trina in person since 2019, but she still sends me letters and small gifts. I'm not sure if she's aware that a lot of my goals in life are centered around her. I hope she knows that when she told me to come back and work with her once I get my bachelor's degree, I took it very seriously. I'm now studying psychology and I owe that to Trina, because she's the one who sparked my passion for it. She helped pick me up from a dark place with her kindness, and she has inspired me to become a positive influence in others’ lives. I can't wait to go back to Utah so I can work with her and learn more from her. One day, I hope to be someone else’s Trina.

Mother Nature is the reason I am able to overcome my mental illnesses. She is my best friend. She whispers in my ear that I am safe. She shows me my purpose and loves me unconditionally. In 2019, I spent three months in the desert of Utah at a wilderness treatment program. Before this program, I was immature, depressed, lost, and angry at the world. I had a horrible relationship with myself and my parents. In the desert, I learned that sleeping on the ground is more comfortable than in a bed. I learned that the milky way is visible from earth and that coyotes scream like little kids. I learned that there is more to life than what I had been told. Every day I was cold, tired, achy, and pierced with bristles from cacti. I was physically exhausted, but mentally and spiritually sound. I developed intense self-love that I never thought was possible. I felt one with nature and finally believed in a higher power. Being outside, away from civilization, forces us to focus on internal issues rather than external ones. It teaches us what we can and can’t control, and how to not worry about those things we can’t. In this program, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety, major depression, personality disorders, and trauma. Despite these diagnoses, I left the desert feeling more confident about life than how I felt when I arrived. Nowadays, I sit outside when I feel lost or unmotivated. It brings me back to my beautiful reality and teaches me to be grateful that I am alive. No matter what is happening in my brain, nature always brings me peace. My goal is to guide others in their journey of finding peace with nature and themselves. There are countless forms of therapy that work, but I believe wilderness therapy is one of the best. Wilderness therapy allows an individual to develop healthy coping strategies by removing access to unhealthy strategies used prior such as drugs, impulsive spending, and dangerous behavior. Most effective wilderness therapies include a small group of about five to ten people, a few wilderness guides, and a therapist. Special bonds are quickly made when the only goal is survival. The group must protect each other and work through difficult emotions when they arise. Furthermore, the individual discovers strength they never knew they had. The human body can do amazing things, especially when there’s no other option but to keep going. There is nowhere to run, so you are forced to feel the pain and overcome it. I am excited to become an expert in psychology, and possibly get my Ph.D. one day. As I learn about the human brain, I can develop and study ways to introduce people to the therapeutic powers of nature. I believe that becoming friends with the world around you is vital to living a long and happy life. In college, I hope to volunteer at wilderness therapy programs, including the one I went to years ago. One day, I want to make my own wilderness program and help people who also struggle with their purpose in this daunting world.

Mother Nature is the reason I am able to overcome my mental illnesses. She is my best friend. She whispers in my ear that I am safe. She shows me my purpose and loves me unconditionally. In 2019, I spent three months in the desert of Utah at a wilderness treatment program. Before this program, I was immature, depressed, lost, and angry at the world. I had a horrible relationship with myself and my parents. In the desert, I learned that sleeping on the ground is more comfortable than in a bed. I learned that the milky way is visible from earth and that coyotes scream like little kids. I learned that there is more to life than what I had been told. Every day I was cold, tired, achy, and pierced with bristles from cacti. I was physically exhausted, but mentally and spiritually sound. I developed intense self-love that I never thought was possible. I felt one with nature and finally believed in a higher power. Being outside, away from civilization, forces us to focus on internal issues rather than external ones. It teaches us what we can and can’t control, and how to not worry about those things we can’t. In this program, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety, major depression, personality disorders, and trauma. Despite these diagnoses, I left the desert feeling more confident about life than how I felt when I arrived. Nowadays, I sit outside when I feel lost or unmotivated. It brings me back to my beautiful reality and teaches me to be grateful that I am alive. No matter what is happening in my brain, nature always brings me peace. My goal is to guide others in their journey of finding peace with nature and themselves. There are countless forms of therapy that work, but I believe wilderness therapy is one of the best. Wilderness therapy allows an individual to develop healthy coping strategies by removing access to unhealthy strategies used prior such as drugs, impulsive spending, and dangerous behavior. Most effective wilderness therapies include a small group of about five to ten people, a few wilderness guides, and a therapist. Special bonds are quickly made when the only goal is survival. The group must protect each other and work through difficult emotions when they arise. Furthermore, the individual discovers strength they never knew they had. The human body can do amazing things, especially when there’s no other option but to keep going. There is nowhere to run, so you are forced to feel the pain and overcome it. I am excited to become an expert in psychology, and possibly get my Ph.D. one day. As I learn about the human brain, I can develop and study ways to introduce people to the therapeutic powers of nature. I believe that becoming friends with the world around you is vital to living a long and happy life. In college, I hope to volunteer at wilderness therapy programs, including the one I went to years ago. One day, I want to make my own wilderness program and help people who also struggle with their purpose in this daunting world.

Mother Nature is the reason I am able to overcome my mental illnesses. She is my best friend. She whispers in my ear that I am safe. She shows me my purpose and loves me unconditionally. Recently, I spent three months in the desert of Utah at a wilderness treatment program. Before this program, I was immature, depressed, lost, and angry at the world. I had a horrible relationship with myself and my parents. In the desert, I learned that sleeping on the ground is more comfortable than in a bed. I learned that the milky way is visible from earth and that coyotes scream like little kids. I learned that there is more to life than what I had been told. Every day I was cold, tired, achy, and pierced with bristles from cacti. I was physically exhausted, but mentally and spiritually sound. I developed intense self-love that I never thought was possible. I felt one with nature and finally believed in a higher power. Being outside, away from civilization, forces us to focus on internal issues rather than external ones. It teaches us what we can and can’t control, and how to not worry about those things we can’t. In this program, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety, major depression, personality disorders, and trauma. Despite these diagnoses, I left the desert feeling more confident about life than how I felt when I arrived. Nowadays, I sit outside when I feel lost or unmotivated. It brings me back to my beautiful reality and teaches me to be grateful that I am alive. No matter what is happening in my brain, nature always brings me peace. My goal is to guide others in their journey of finding peace with nature and themselves. There are countless forms of therapy that work, but I believe wilderness therapy is one of the best. Wilderness therapy allows an individual to develop healthy coping strategies by removing access to unhealthy strategies used prior such as drugs, impulsive spending, and dangerous behavior. Most effective wilderness therapies include a small group of about five to ten people, a few wilderness guides, and a therapist. Special bonds are quickly made when the only goal is survival. The group must protect each other and work through difficult emotions when they arise. Furthermore, the individual discovers strength they never knew they had. The human body can do amazing things, especially when there’s no other option but to keep going. There is nowhere to run, so you are forced to feel the pain and overcome it. I am excited to become an expert in psychology, and possibly get my Ph.D. one day. As I learn about the human brain, I can develop and study ways to introduce people to the therapeutic powers of nature. I believe that becoming friends with the world around you is vital to living a long and happy life. In college, I hope to volunteer at wilderness therapy programs, including the one I went to years ago. One day, I want to make my own wilderness program and help people who also struggle with their purpose in this daunting world.

Mother Nature is the reason I am able to overcome my mental illnesses. She is my best friend. She whispers in my ear that I am safe. She shows me my purpose and loves me unconditionally. In 2019, I spent three months in the desert of Utah at a wilderness treatment program. Before this program, I was immature, depressed, lost, and angry at the world. I had a horrible relationship with myself and my parents. In the desert, I learned that sleeping on the ground is more comfortable than in a bed. I learned that the milky way is visible from earth and that coyotes scream like little kids. I learned that there is more to life than what I had been told. Every day I was cold, tired, achy, and pierced with bristles from cacti. I was physically exhausted, but mentally and spiritually sound. I developed intense self-love that I never thought was possible. I felt one with nature and finally believed in a higher power. Being outside, away from civilization, forces us to focus on internal issues rather than external ones. It teaches us what we can and can’t control, and how to not worry about those things we can’t. In this program, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety, major depression, personality disorders, and trauma. Despite these diagnoses, I left the desert feeling more confident about life than how I felt when I arrived. Nowadays, I sit outside when I feel lost or unmotivated. It brings me back to my beautiful reality and teaches me to be grateful that I am alive. No matter what is happening in my brain, nature always brings me peace. My goal is to guide others in their journey of finding peace with nature and themselves. There are countless forms of therapy that work, but I believe wilderness therapy is one of the best. Wilderness therapy allows an individual to develop healthy coping strategies by removing access to unhealthy strategies used prior such as drugs, impulsive spending, and dangerous behavior. Most effective wilderness therapies include a small group of about five to ten people, a few wilderness guides, and a therapist. Special bonds are quickly made when the only goal is survival. The group must protect each other and work through difficult emotions when they arise. Furthermore, the individual discovers strength they never knew they had. The human body can do amazing things, especially when there’s no other option but to keep going. There is nowhere to run, so you are forced to feel the pain and overcome it. I am excited to become an expert in psychology, and possibly get my Ph.D. one day. As I learn about the human brain, I can develop and study ways to introduce people to the therapeutic powers of nature. I believe that becoming friends with the world around you is vital to living a long and happy life. In college, I hope to volunteer at wilderness therapy programs, including the one I went to years ago. One day, I want to make my own wilderness program and help people who also struggle with their purpose in this daunting world.

Mother Nature is the reason I am able to overcome my mental illnesses. She is my best friend. She whispers in my ear that I am safe. She shows me my purpose and loves me unconditionally. In 2019, I spent three months in the desert of Utah at a wilderness treatment program. Before this program, I was immature, depressed, lost, and angry at the world. I had a horrible relationship with myself and my parents. In the desert, I learned that sleeping on the ground is more comfortable than in a bed. I learned that the milky way is visible from earth and that coyotes scream like little kids. I learned that there is more to life than what I had been told. Every day I was cold, tired, achy, and pierced with bristles from cacti. I was physically exhausted, but mentally and spiritually sound. I developed intense self-love that I never thought was possible. I felt one with nature and finally believed in a higher power. Being outside, away from civilization, forces us to focus on internal issues rather than external ones. It teaches us what we can and can’t control, and how to not worry about those things we can’t. In this program, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety, major depression, personality disorders, and trauma. Despite these diagnoses, I left the desert feeling more confident about life than how I felt when I arrived. Nowadays, I sit outside when I feel lost or unmotivated. It brings me back to my beautiful reality and teaches me to be grateful that I am alive. No matter what is happening in my brain, nature always brings me peace. My goal is to guide others in their journey of finding peace with nature and themselves. There are countless forms of therapy that work, but I believe wilderness therapy is one of the best. Wilderness therapy allows an individual to develop healthy coping strategies by removing access to unhealthy strategies used prior such as drugs, impulsive spending, and dangerous behavior. Most effective wilderness therapies include a small group of about five to ten people, a few wilderness guides, and a therapist. Special bonds are quickly made when the only goal is survival. The group must protect each other and work through difficult emotions when they arise. Furthermore, the individual discovers strength they never knew they had. The human body can do amazing things, especially when there’s no other option but to keep going. There is nowhere to run, so you are forced to feel the pain and overcome it. I am excited to become an expert in psychology, and possibly get my Ph.D. one day. As I learn about the human brain, I can develop and study ways to introduce people to the therapeutic powers of nature. I believe that becoming friends with the world around you is vital to living a long and happy life. In college, I hope to volunteer at wilderness therapy programs, including the one I went to years ago. One day, I want to make my own wilderness program and help people who also struggle with their purpose in this daunting world.

Mother Nature is the reason I am able to overcome my mental illnesses. She is my best friend. She whispers in my ear that I am safe. She shows me my purpose and loves me unconditionally. In 2019, I spent three months in the desert of Utah at a wilderness treatment program. Before this program, I was immature, depressed, lost, and angry at the world. I had a horrible relationship with myself and my parents. In the desert, I learned that sleeping on the ground is more comfortable than in a bed. I learned that the milky way is visible from earth and that coyotes scream like little kids. I learned that there is more to life than what I had been told. Every day I was cold, tired, achy, and pierced with bristles from cacti. I was physically exhausted, but mentally and spiritually sound. I developed intense self-love that I never thought was possible. I felt one with nature and finally believed in a higher power. Being outside, away from civilization, forces us to focus on internal issues rather than external ones. It teaches us what we can and can’t control, and how to not worry about those things we can’t. In this program, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety, major depression, personality disorders, and trauma. Despite these diagnoses, I left the desert feeling more confident about life than how I felt when I arrived. Nowadays, I sit outside when I feel lost or unmotivated. It brings me back to my beautiful reality and teaches me to be grateful that I am alive. No matter what is happening in my brain, nature always brings me peace. My goal is to guide others in their journey of finding peace with nature and themselves. There are countless forms of therapy that work, but I believe wilderness therapy is one of the best. Wilderness therapy allows an individual to develop healthy coping strategies by removing access to unhealthy strategies used prior such as drugs, impulsive spending, and dangerous behavior. Most effective wilderness therapies include a small group of about five to ten people, a few wilderness guides, and a therapist. Special bonds are quickly made when the only goal is survival. The group must protect each other and work through difficult emotions when they arise. Furthermore, the individual discovers strength they never knew they had. The human body can do amazing things, especially when there’s no other option but to keep going. There is nowhere to run, so you are forced to feel the pain and overcome it. I am excited to become an expert in psychology, and possibly get my Ph.D. one day. As I learn about the human brain, I can develop and study ways to introduce people to the therapeutic powers of nature. I believe that becoming friends with the world around you is vital to living a long and happy life. In college, I hope to volunteer at wilderness therapy programs, including the one I went to years ago. One day, I want to make my own wilderness program and help people who also struggle with their purpose in this daunting world.