Wilderness therapy program for first responders and healthcare workers

We are so excited to be able to offer this alternative to traditional talk therapy for first responders and healthcare workers wanting to work through trauma, anxiety, depression, and/or grief & loss while being out on the trail backpacking for a few days. We will be doing two trips this year. Trip #1: 8/15/25-8/19/24, Trip #2: 9/5/24-9/9/24. Last year’s trip was a major success and we had a great time. Check out what people had to say.

“Mountain Minds Therapy was a game changer for me in terms of how I thought therapy would be. I love the outdoors and when I heard I had an opportunity to go up into the mountains and campout along with receiving some EMDR therapy, I couldn’t wait. I have spent the better part of the last 15 years as a Soldier in the Army and a Patrol Police Officer. I was given the opportunity to try out some EMDR through camping and hiking in the woods with Tommy and Pete and it was great! They take their job seriously, but are personable at the same time. There’s no rush to treatment. They ease you into your sessions as you adapt to your surroundings. I have done a few different EMDR sessions with counselors, but Tommy was the best one I’ve had yet. I was able to have some major breakthroughs during our sessions that I have never been able to get through in the past. I’m excited to see what Mountain Minds does next and I would always love to try out more of their therapy.” - Soldier in the Army and Police Officer, Florida

“In August of 2023 I had the pleasure of attending a wilderness therapy retreat with Tommy and Pete in the mountains of Colorado. The experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity that focused on mental health and well being for first responders as we hiked the beautiful southern Rocky Mountains. I would highly recommend this experience to other first responders as a way to learn more about yourself and how to deal with hardships that we encounter in our daily lives.” - Police Sergeant, Florida

The package costs $4,000 per client and includes 2 night in a hotel (1 night the day your arrive and 1 night the day we get out of the backcountry), all meals, equipment as needed, transportation to and from the trailhead from the hotel, mental health education, individual therapy, and group therapy. The hotel we will be staying in is called the Loyal Duke Lodge in Salida, CO. We are actively seeking out sponsors to reduce the cost of the trip for clients.

Each group will include 4 first responders/healthcare workers and 2 mental health staff. The route is rated as moderate/difficult and includes high elevation and hiking with heavy backpacks. Some level of fitness is required to participate on these trips. We will have a few different options while out on the trail. For groups with greater fitness levels we will be hiking 3-5 miles a day and setting up camp at a different location each day. For groups with a little less fitness and who do not have experience in altitude we will be using more of a base-camp model while out on the trail with options to do day hikes.

If you are interested in participating in a trip, please reach out to schedule a meeting so that we can answer any questions, understand your therapeutic goals, and help with travel planning/logistics.