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Wilderness Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ThreePeaks Ascent

Day Shift - ThreePeaks

Enterprise, UT · On-site

$139 - $207/day

This unique program enables us to leverage the advantages of wilderness therapy while incorporating elements of traditional residential treatment. This new program will increase the accessibility of ...

Confluence Behavioral Health LLC

Clinical Therapist

VT · On-site

$59K - $79K/yr

The program combines wilderness adventure therapy with a residential experience, farm programming, and comprehensive health and wellness services to guide young adults facing mental health challenges ...

ThreePeaks Ascent

Clinical Intern

Enterprise, UT · On-site

$14/hr

Familiarity with wilderness therapy or experiential education. Embrace this opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to our mission of healing! Benefits * Pay commensurate with experience * Health ...

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Wilderness Therapy information

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$16.5K

$47.7K

$82.5K

How much do wilderness therapy jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for wilderness therapy in the United States is $47,693.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,500.00 and $53,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some of the unique challenges faced by professionals working in wilderness therapy programs?

Professionals in wilderness therapy often face challenges such as adapting to unpredictable outdoor conditions, maintaining client safety in remote settings, and balancing therapeutic goals with physical demands. The role requires strong problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm during emergencies. Additionally, practitioners must foster trust and rapport with clients who may be resistant to traditional therapy, all while working closely with multidisciplinary teams to create individualized treatment plans.

How to become a wilderness therapist?

To become a wilderness therapist, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field, along with experience working with youth or in outdoor settings. Certification in wilderness therapy or outdoor leadership, such as Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA), is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, resilience, and the ability to work in remote environments are essential for this role.

What is wilderness therapy?

Wilderness therapy is a therapeutic intervention that combines traditional therapy techniques with outdoor expeditions in natural settings. It is designed to help individuals, often adolescents or young adults, address behavioral, emotional, or mental health issues through structured activities, group work, and counseling in a wilderness environment. The goal is to foster personal growth, self-reliance, and healthy coping mechanisms by removing individuals from their usual surroundings and placing them in challenging but supportive outdoor experiences. Wilderness therapy programs are typically led by licensed therapists and experienced outdoor guides. These programs may vary in length and approach, but all focus on holistic healing through nature-based activities.

What is the difference between Wilderness Therapy vs Outdoor Education Specialist?

AspectWilderness TherapyOutdoor Education Specialist
Required CredentialsCPR/First Aid, sometimes mental health certificationsWilderness First Aid, teaching or environmental certifications
Work EnvironmentTherapeutic settings in wilderness areas, working with at-risk youthEducational settings, outdoor programs, camps
Employer & IndustryTherapy centers, mental health organizationsSchools, camps, outdoor education companies

Wilderness Therapy and Outdoor Education Specialists both work outdoors and require certifications like First Aid. However, Wilderness Therapy focuses on therapeutic interventions for at-risk youth, often in clinical settings, while Outdoor Education Specialists primarily teach outdoor skills and environmental awareness in educational or recreational settings.

How to get a job in wilderness therapy?

To work in wilderness therapy, candidates typically need relevant experience in outdoor education, counseling, or mental health, along with certifications such as CPR and first aid. Many positions require a background check, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in remote, outdoor environments. Gaining experience through internships or volunteering can also improve job prospects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a wilderness therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Wilderness Therapist, you generally need a background in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field, often supported by licensure and experience with youth or at-risk populations. Familiarity with outdoor safety protocols, wilderness first aid certification, and knowledge of experiential therapy models are typically required. Exceptional communication, empathy, adaptability, and strong leadership skills help foster trust and guide participants through challenging outdoor experiences. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring client safety, therapeutic effectiveness, and positive growth in unpredictable wilderness settings.

What is wilderness therapy?

Wilderness therapy is a type of treatment program for individuals with emotional or behavioral issues, including substance abuse. Wilderness therapy involves leading clients on a set of outdoor activities or wilderness adventures to help treat particular mental and behavioral health diseases or conditions. The theory of wilderness therapy is that by engaging in the physical and mental demands of outdoor exploration, participants can overcome or mediate underlying psychological and emotional problems by learning alternative coping strategies.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Wilderness Therapy jobs?

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What states have the most Wilderness Therapy jobs?

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What job categories do people searching Wilderness Therapy jobs look for?

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Wilderness Therapy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Therapy job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 2% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,693 per year, or $22.9 per hour.

Director of Therapeutic Care and Formation (part time/remote)

Seeds Wilderness Therapy

Montrose, CO • On-site, Remote

Part-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Applicant Letter (job description below)
Cover letter with more information will be sent upon receipt of application or upon request by emailing heather.m@seedswildernessway.org.
Director of Therapeutic Care and Formation
Seeds Wilderness Way (formerly Seeds Wilderness Therapy)
The Invitation
Seeds Wilderness Way is seeking a spiritually mature and clinically experienced leader to guide transformation and restoration in the lives of teens, families, and ministry leaders. This is not a standard clinical role. We are looking for a partner who bridges professional therapeutic excellence with deep, Spirit-led ministry-someone who longs to advance the Kingdom of God rather than secular modalities.
Our ideal candidate is a Clinical Shepherd who brings high-level training under the submission of the Holy Spirit, shaping both the spiritual and clinical culture of Seeds.
About Seeds Wilderness Way
Seeds Wilderness Way uses wilderness expeditions and community-based discipleship to accelerate spiritual formation and healing. We seek to serve a diverse population-at-risk youth, parents, community leaders, youth pastors, missionaries, and families in crisis. While our flagship offering is a 40-day backcountry expedition for teens, our ministry extends far beyond that single program to include:
  • 40-Day Wilderness Expeditions for teens (Retreat-Restore-Revive model)
  • Parenting Workshops at diverse or home locations across the country
  • Parent and Family Intensives, a 4 day seminar for repair/prevention of deeper issues
  • Spiritual Development for Ministry Workers and Missionaries
  • 3 Year Aftercare Follow-Up Programs, helping build transformational relationships for long term restoration
  • Community-Based Discipleship & Church Partnerships

The ideal candidate will seek to advance the Kingdom of God, utilizing secular therapy models to increase understanding and treatment under the Lordship of Christ. Many of our clientele are coming in with previous diagnoses, complex traumas, and/or mental health disorders. Therefore, we honor clinical understanding, but we prioritize Kingdom approaches-prayer, scripture, spiritual disciplines, and identity formation in Jesus-over the standard "assess-diagnose-treat" model.
The Role
You will serve as a key restoration leader shaping both the spiritual and clinical DNA of Seeds. The role is primarily remote, with strategic travel to Colorado for field engagement, leadership meetings, and relational connection with staff and students.
You will operate at the intersection of:
  • Spiritual authority
  • Clinical oversight
  • Organizational leadership
  • Regulatory compliance

You will report directly to the Executive Director and work closely with the Field Director, primary therapists, and pastoral staff.
The Ideal Candidate: Spiritual DNA
  • Deep intimacy with Jesus and a life led by the Holy Spirit.
  • Believes experiential learning in the wilderness is a more powerful teacher than traditional talk therapy.
  • Alignment with the principles of Soul Care (Reimer), Breakthrough (Warner), and/or Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You (Wilder).
  • Recognizes the relational roles that biological family, adoptive family (legal or spiritual adoption), the Church, and the community play in transformation.
  • Ability to hear from God and lead with spiritual authority.
  • Adheres to Elder standards as described in 1 Timothy and Titus and as understood in the Life Model stages of maturity.

Key Responsibilities
-Spiritual & Strategic Leadership
  • Lead subordinates with spiritual authority, prayer, discernment, and a Kingdom mindset.
  • Shape the spiritual and clinical culture of the organization.
  • Participate in leadership strategy sessions, planning, and decision-making.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the board's leadership and the organization's other leaders, engaging with them in a posture of mutual relational submission.

-Admissions & Client Vetting
  • Oversee the admissions pipeline, evaluating clinical fit and making acceptance or referral decisions.

-Program Development & Field Engagement
  • Develop and implement curriculum for students, parents, and ministry leaders. This may also include contribution to the staff manual and training materials.
  • Support and/or supervise on site therapists. On site therapists will in turn disciple and shepherd students in the field and/or mom and dad at home.
  • Lead or contribute to clinical meetings, in-service trainings, webinars, and situational teaching engagements.
  • Support communication with parents through partnership with the parent coordinator.
  • Be onsite in Colorado for strategic trips to facilitate ministry or leadership engagements. This may include a mid-course parent week, training, or graduation ceremony. Additional conferences or key strategic events can be discussed

-Oversight & Compliance: Spiritual & Clinical
  • Review and approve all treatment plans, ensuring discipleship objectives, SMART goals and state licensing requirements are met.
  • Ensure Seeds adheres to evidence-based therapeutic practices while integrating Christ-centered ministry.
  • Maintain documentation compliance with Colorado DHS childcare facility regulations.
  • Monitor progress using tools such as YOQ and other outcome measures.
  • Oversee the professional development of the staff, both from a spiritual shepherding and clinical perspective.

Professional Qualifications
  • Master's-level training (LMFT, LPC, LCSW, or equivalent seminary counseling degree).
  • Licensed or license-eligible in Colorado (required).
  • Ability to supervise LPC or LMFT is preferred.
  • 3-5 years of clinical experience preferred.
  • Experience with trauma, addiction, identity work, and complex family systems.
  • Meets and maintains biblical elder standards.
  • Loves the wilderness and understands its transformative power.

Work Expectations
  • Minimum of 10 hours/week for part-time;
  • Weekly video meetings, including:
    • 1:1 with the Executive Director
    • Level 10 leadership meetings
    • Weekly clinical meetings (with additional supervision hours potentially to follow).
  • Flexibility for webinars, trainings, and occasional travel.
  • Keep up with emails, phone calls, and/or other professional correspondence (i.e. admissions updates).
  • Primarily remote with strategic trips to Colorado for relational and programmatic impact.

Why Join Seeds Wilderness Way?
  • Impact: Move beyond symptom management into true identity restoration in Jesus.
  • Community: Join a team that values prayer, discipleship, and the presence of God as the primary change agent.
  • Calling: Step into a role that blends clinical excellence with Spirit-led ministry.
  • Flexibility: Work remotely while staying deeply connected to wilderness transformation.

How to Apply
Please submit your
1.) Resume/CV
2.) A short cover letter outlining:
  • Your spiritual journey
  • Your experience with wilderness and/or how Creation has lead you to the Creator
  • Your clinical /spiritual formation experience

3.) A 3-5 page paper on your philosophy of ministry, and why you think wilderness retreat might enhance this.

Apply