Helping families chart the course
Although it may seem like common sense to most people, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is critical to positive physical and mental health. During the first couple of weeks, our students start to acclimate to outdoor life at True North. For many … Continue Reading »
Why do we conduct research? Each family at True North has a unique story with their own specific struggles and goals. It is our aim to provide individuals and families the best care and support possible as we collaborate to chart the … Continue Reading »
As you arrive here in the Mad River Valley, the most prominent feature you cannot miss is our lush green mountains. We have an abundance of nature’s splendor, wide open vistas and breathtaking views as far as the eye can see. Do not miss the … Continue Reading »
Transitioning out of True North can be one of the most difficult tasks that our students take on during their stay here. Leaving behind friends and mentors, removing themselves from the quiet and serene wilderness, and departing from the structured … Continue Reading »
Sarah Lawrence, LCMHC will be moving into the role of Acting Clinical Director this summer! Sarah is an extraordinary therapist who brings years of experience and a diverse skill set to True North. Sarah has been working with True North in various … Continue Reading »
Quite often, folks wonder about our field areas and express curiosity about the actual wilderness part of True North Wilderness Program. Our offices are located in the heart of Waitsfield, VT, but our program utilizes a wide variety of field areas … Continue Reading »
As a student adjusts to life in the woods at True North, the often begin to have discussions about “the real world” and what they do “in real life.” They talk about favorite music, movies, and other media. In particular, they tend to discuss their … Continue Reading »
“I just want my child to be happy.” We hear this often from the families that we work with. It is a wish that on the surface, seems heartfelt and harmless. What parent doesn’t want their child to be happy? This is especially true for parents who have … Continue Reading »
For those who aren’t familiar with the term, Mud Season is Vermont’s unofficial ‘fifth season’, falling between winter and spring. Sunnier days, melting snow, and April showers cause New England’s rural dirt roads and hiking trails to become soft and … Continue Reading »
The summer is upon us in the world of Wilderness Therapy, and True North is thrilled to welcome the following individuals to our team: Ally Barnett, MSW, joins the clinical team as a course leader (student therapist) starting in late … Continue Reading »
True North students are continuously learning more about themselves and experiencing new challenges in the wilderness. They live in small groups where they are working to build community, learn leadership skills, and understand their own therapeutic … Continue Reading »
“Hiking is a bit like life: The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other…again and again and again. And if you allow yourself the opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty … Continue Reading »
Pack-weight is an important consideration when hiking long-distances. Typically, aspiring thru-hikers start with heavy packs, and gradually we find ways to reduce our weight along the trail. When I set out on the Appalachian Trail my pack weighed 54 … Continue Reading »
During the summer, True North students are making their way through the beautiful green mountains in a nomadic wilderness therapy model. As the seasons change, however, True North students find themselves at Windridge, our winter base camp. The use … Continue Reading »
On Wednesday mornings before a shift, the air is electric but the guides are sometimes a bit sleepy. The night before a week long Wednesday-to-Wednesday shift often lacks the same uninterrupted rest as other nights. The potential pleasures and … Continue Reading »
Staying Active Wintertime in Vermont provides an endless amount of opportunities to stay active and continue to explore the outdoor world. At True North, our young adults go on various day trips and multi-day expeditions that help to develop a love … Continue Reading »
After particularly cold nights in the Vermont hills, mornings can be noisy. Trees creak and snap as the first sunlight reflects off of the bright snow and starts to melt ice particles. Occasional wind gusts nudge branches at the tops of trees into … Continue Reading »
When you first arrive here in the Mad River Valley, it’s hard to miss that Sugarbush and Mad River Glen ski areas hover above us. They offer the most obvious winter activity, but what if you are not here to ski? Luckily our unique local … Continue Reading »
“Dressed like onions” might sound funny when you think about our students and staff in the cold Vermont winters, but the phrase is actually an important principle in the year round outdoor-active community. The idea is to simply layer up when you are … Continue Reading »
Camping in the Vermont woods can be demanding and rugged, especially for long periods of time. However, every Wednesday at True North, guide teams of two pack their necessary belongings into a backpack and head into the field for a full week’s time … Continue Reading »
As the calendar year winds down, we acknowledge one of the most widely accepted and practiced ceremonies in cultures throughout the world: marking the passage of time by setting intentions for the coming year. New year’s resolutions are grounded in a … Continue Reading »
Just a few days after the longest night of the year, the holiday season acts as a beacon of light to our True North family. This morning, members of our friendly staff worked together in the kitchen preparing a home cooked meal to celebrate the … Continue Reading »
A core value at True North is the importance of family. In support of our values, we are committed to family inclusion, especially when it comes to working together with the parents and guardians of our students. We have received overwhelmingly … Continue Reading »
A question we often hear from families and students alike is, “How is fire making, building traps and hiking possibly going to help me in my life?!” As professionals working in the field of wilderness therapy, we have long seen how a few short … Continue Reading »
As sunlight made its way to the floor of the Mad River Valley, and the students were just waking up, True North staff bustled around the kitchen of the Inn at the Windridge Winter Campus making last minute Thanksgiving preparations. Hens were cooked, … Continue Reading »
Professional conferences are a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues from near and far, to learn and explore new ideas through professional development, and to contribute to the advancement of the industry through presentations … Continue Reading »
Walking in to True North is a bit like walking through a friend’s front door for a cup of coffee. Our office is home-like and staffed with people who know what you are going through. It is not uncommon for students or their families to be anxious … Continue Reading »
While the squirrels, chipmunks, and other woodland creatures hurry and scurry to prepare for the winter season, the trained eye can also find the TN Operations Department scampering through the woods and trails of Windridge, our Winter … Continue Reading »
In her 2017 book Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone, Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW, writes, “What all wilderness metaphors have in common are the notions of solitude, vulnerability, and emotional, … Continue Reading »
Nestled in northwest Idaho, Coeur d’Alene hosts the annual Young Adult Transition Association (YATA) conference. This year, Executive Director, Ty Maves, and Program Director, Nate Hoff attended the conference from October 18 – 21. Every year, young … Continue Reading »
After many years of collaboration and consultation, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Alan Zaur has officially joined the True North team as Medical Director. As a local psychiatrist with over 40 years of experience, Dr. Zaur has always enjoyed his … Continue Reading »
In October of 2005, Mod, Ty, Andy and our dear friend Kate Weir, incorporated True North and began to build a wilderness program. Andy had offered to come to Vermont for a few months to help us get up and running, and would go on to stay for nearly 3 … Continue Reading »
Like all of the seasons in New England, Fall is a time for change. When the seasons change so do our behaviors and our senses perk up. These transitions can be a time to reflect on the previous season and get excited for the upcoming season. This … Continue Reading »
Course Leader Edward “ Bogie" Foden and Parent Therapist Neil Binette presented at the NATSAP NE Regional Conference in Kennebunkport, ME on September 27, 2017. They shared an enthusiastic review of the impact of parent and family therapy work during … Continue Reading »
On September 26-27th True North attended the 2017 NATSAP Northeast Regional Conference. This conference has been thriving at the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, ME for the past several years. After all, who doesn’t enjoy continuing education with a … Continue Reading »
As parents explore the True North website, they may feel overwhelmed with all of the information and confounded about how to make the best decision for their child. They may worry that calling an admissions counselor might confuse and overwhelm … Continue Reading »
At True North, we place a strong emphasis on supporting parents at every stage of the program while simultaneously repairing, shifting or strengthening the relationships between parent and child. It is critical that we address the family as an … Continue Reading »
We are pleased to welcome Anna Mays to the True North family as our new Administrative Assistant. Anna is the warm and friendly face that greets our families when they arrive for enrollments, parent workshops, and graduations. She provides … Continue Reading »
True North is pleased to announce a new position in the Admissions and Outreach department. Alison McHugh has commenced work as Research and Alumni Coordinator. Alison’s primary responsibility is to facilitate and manage the research efforts at True … Continue Reading »
End of Summer YA Journal As the summer comes to a close, we begin to enjoy cool autumn nights and beautiful Vermont scenery before we prepare for the winter season. Simultaneously, we begin the process of reflecting on the summer, re-tracing our … Continue Reading »
True North Wilderness Program is looking forward to hosting a networking opportunity for professionals in the Northeastern United States. The event will take place on March 24 from 9:00 AMmore »
Adolescents and young adults often enroll at True North because they are feeling stuck. They may be stuck in their room, stuck on their devices, or stuck in unhealthy habits.more »