Adventure Therapy Collective Podcast Daniel L Cavanaugh & Will Dobud

Dr. Esther Ayers, obtained a PhD in Chicano/Latino Studies at Michigan State University, is a dedicated researcher and advocate for mental health in Latinx communities. With a Master's degree in Interpersonal Practice from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Her qualitative research focuses on Latinx experiences, Adventure Therapy, and Community Mental Health that infuses methods and theories that are culturally congruent. Esther has presented her research at  the Association of Experiential Education Symposium. Driven by a commitment to service, Esther engages in various forms of community outreach combined with being a member with Association of Experiential Education and National Association of Social Work. Esther Ayers is an influential scholar, researcher, and therapist dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Latinx communities through her interdisciplinary work. On Esther's spare time she enjoys spending time with family/friends in the outdoors, listening to music and dancing. 



Useful Links

Esther's MSU Spotlight

Esther's Website

Esther's CV

Therapy for Latinx Profile

In his free time, Dr. Cian Brown enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing and bouldering, despite not being a huge fan of heights. In this episode, we talk about specific activities in adventure therapy, Cian's passion for getting outside with students, and nerd out on a little research.



Lots of letters follow Dr. Brown's name! He is a licensed counselor, Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist (CCAT), and Board Certified in Neurofeedback, Fellow (BCN-Fellow) with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of Arkansas specializing in Adventure Therapy. Cian is also the co-founder of the Center for Outdoor Therapy and Education at the University of Oklahoma.



Relevant Links

Center for Outdoor Therapy and Education

Cian's Website

Cian's Google Scholar Site

Zoe Jack, LCSW-C is the Director of the Center for Nature Informed Therapy in Baltimore, Maryland. She is the author of the new book Social Work Outside: Evidence Based, Micro and Macro Perspectives. This year, Zoe has been on a "tour" travelling to social work conferences advocating for bringing nature into social work practice. We hope you enjoy the fun episode!



For those interested in painting there office like Zoe's, here you go: Laurel Tree Behr Paint



Useful Links

Social Work Outside

Zoe's New Book

Center for Nature Informed Therapy

Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan

Zoe's Instagram

Center for Nature Informed Therapy Instagram

Gary describes himself as "happily retired," so we knew it was time to rope him in for a fun discussion about his productive and meaningful career as both a social worker and leading contributor to adventure therapy knowledge. Gary is the co-author of many impactful adventure therapy articles and numerous books, including the recent Adventure Group Psychotherapy.


In this episode, the team discuss Gary's backyard conversations with Tony Alvarez, his writing, prevention, the experiential wave model, and his mindset: It never rains on adventure. We hope you enjoy!


Welcome to Season 2!



Useful Links

⁠Adventure Group Psychotherapy⁠

⁠Power of One: Using Adventure and Experiential Activities within One on One Counseling Sessions⁠

⁠Power of Family⁠

⁠Musings on Adventure Therapy⁠

⁠Gary's AEE Member Spotlight⁠

Before we begin, everyone should head to this link and get professionally connected with Max!



Max joins the podcast to share how his international experience in the United States, Scotland, and Spain - as well as many other adventures - informs his work with adolescents in the outdoors. The group talks about field siestas, Camino de Santiago routes, and running individualized expeditions. Max is a representative for Adventure Therapy Europe and brings experience from outdoor education, wilderness therapy in the United States, and residential care to his current practice. Together with Daniel and Will, Max discusses how every day with clients is an adventure.



Useful Links

Adventure Therapy Europe Roundtable Representatives

Madrid Outdoor Education

Here is Max's LinkedIn Account...Again

Today we talk with Dr Scott D Miller, the co-founder of the International Center for Clinical Excellence and a leading voice in understanding what works in therapy and how practitioners can get better at doing it. As a practicing psychologist, Scott often provides pro bono services to the financially underprivileged. In this podcast, we discuss Will's average outcomes, how psychotherapy lost its magic, and the role of deliberate practice in highly effective practitioners. Scott provides his views on psychotherapy evidence and why practice-based evidence will always trump evidence-based practice. We will provide links and announcements shortly for the free training in March with Scott Miller (and Will and Dan just kind of hanging out in the background). 

Contact Us to Join the ATOM 

Complete the Adventure Therapy Education Survey

Useful Links
Scott's Website
Scott's Amazon Books Page
How Psychotherapy Lost Its Magick
International Center for Clinical Excellence
Scott's Keynote at the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference
Saving Psychotherapy by Ben Caldwell
Daryl Chow's Doctoral Research
Information on the Gloria Films
K Anders Ericsson Wikpedia Page