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Wilderness Therapy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Clinical Intern

Enterprise, UT ยท 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 ...

Clinical Intern

Enterprise, UT ยท 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 ...

Clinician

Campton, NH

$54K - $71K/yr

The VPI Program, located in Campton New Hampshire, utilizes an outdoor education and wilderness therapy approach seeking to replace maladaptive behavioral patterns with lifelong pro-social skills.

Clinician

Campton, NH ยท On-site

$54K - $71K/yr

The VPI Program, located in Campton New Hampshire, utilizes an outdoor education and wilderness therapy approach seeking to replace maladaptive behavioral patterns with lifelong pro-social skills.

Bookkeeper

Montrose, CO ยท On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Bookkeeper (Part-Time) We are seeking a reliable, detail-oriented Bookkeeper to support payroll, donation tracking, budgeting, and monthly financial reporting for our organization. Responsibilities

Showing results 41-60

Wilderness Therapy information

See salary details

$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.

What cities are hiring for Wilderness Therapy jobs?

Cities with the most Wilderness Therapy job openings:

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

The most popular types of Wilderness Therapy jobs are:

What states have the most Wilderness Therapy jobs?

States with the most job openings for Wilderness Therapy jobs include:

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.

Clinical Therapist

Confluence Behavioral Health

Burlington, VT โ€ข On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Company Overview


Arete Counseling Services is an outpatient counseling service supporting individuals creating positive change in their lives. Arete provides therapy, support and guidance for individuals in a community setting which supports their social-emotional growth and guide participants on a journey to explore their passions, values, strengths, and skills, carving a path towards meaning, purpose, and productivity. We support participants' in launching the lives they've envisioned.


The Clinical Therapist position is a multi-faceted and engaging job and is in integral part of a team of individuals supporting young people in their paths forwards. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team and enjoy high job satisfaction and be paid well.


Job Description:


Clinical Therapists are responsible for providing individual and group therapy, development and oversight of individualized treatment plans of participants, the ongoing assessment of participant progress, and supporting the intervention to help individuals heal, recover and move forward from their challenges.


Arete is looking for a particular personality and set of skills. The successful candidate will:


1. Be inclusive and collaborative, positive and trustworthy.
2. Be organized and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
3. Find and fix issues without guidance and will always be looking for ways to improve service.


Responsibilities:


  • Weekly individual and group clinical sessions with program participants
  • Assessment, Treatment and Discharge Planning
  • Continued assessments and check-in sessions of and for participants
  • Liaises with and supports direct care staff (mentors and coaches) to better the support of participants, the clinical process and the intervention model
  • Direct consultation with the clinical team and participation in weekly clinical team meetings
  • Correspondence with referring professionals, previous clinicians and other programs/schools
  • Support during site visits by professionals and potential participant visits
  • Participation in marketing events, presentations at conferences (travel required)
  • Writing and editing for publication, including marketing collateral, websites and blogs
  • Periodic on-call availability to address emergency clinical needs with direct care staff


Qualifications:


  • License to practice in the State of Vermont or enrollment on the Roster for non-certified, non-licensed professionals
  • PhD/PsyD or Masters in psychology, social work, mental health counseling or related field
  • Academic experience and/or professional interest in working with emerging adults
  • Experience and interest in Wilderness Therapy, Outdoor Recreation, Experiential Education, and Adventure-Based Counseling


Compensation:


  • $60,000 - $80,000 annual salary
  • Signing Bonus for qualified candidates
  • Extensive, Paid-Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Health Insurance Plan