NATSAP Celebrates 25th Anniversary in 2024! 
2025 Wilderness Symposium and Utah Regional Conference
6/2/2025 - 6/4/2025
Description
2025 Wilderness Symposium and Utah Regional Conference
June 2-4
Join NATSAP as we collaborate with our Outdoor Programs in Midway, UT on June 2-4th. We invite you to submit your proposals about best practices, field management, clinical, leadership, etc.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Dive into adventure at the Wilderness Symposium and the Utah Regional Conference in Midway, UT! Connect with nature, explore outdoor treatment programs, and engage with fellow members of the behavioral health community.
Please email completed registration forms to events@natsap.org, or you may register online.
**NATSAP GROUP DISCOUNT - Members of NATSAP programs are eligible to receive a group registration discount. Every SIXTH registrant (of the same program) are eligible for the 50% discount. To take advantage of this discount, register your first FIVE staff members and then email events@natsap.org with the name(s) of those staff members to receive the 50% off for the sixth staff member, or complete the GROUP REGISTRATION form. You must be listed as a member in the current NATSAP membership directory in order to receive the discount.
Early-Bird registration will be available through Friday, April 18th. Don't miss out on our biggest early-bird discount ever!
Early-Bird | $215 Member-Rate / $315 Non-Member Rate | Until April 18 |
Regular | $250 Member-Rate / $350 Non-Member Rate | April 19 - May 23 |
On-Site | $275 Member-Rate / $375 Non-Member Rate | After May 23 |
Agenda
Monday, June 2
9:00am – 4:00pm
Family Systems Training Institute Hosted by: John Stewart, LCSW; VP of Clinical Training at Embark Behavioral Health
12:00pm
Lunch
4:00pm
OBH Committee Open Meeting (meet in Geneve)
6:00pm
NATSAP Opening Reception Dinner & Award Ceremony
Tuesday, June 3
6:30am – 8:30am
Yoga - sponsored by Cascade Academy (van leaving from the chess board at 6:45am)
Morning Hike - sponsored by Legacy Treatment Center (meet at Carousel Patio)
Sound Bath - sponsored by Juniper Canyon Recovery Center (Gruyeres)
8:30am
Breakfast
9:00am
General Session
OBH Safety Report and NATSAP Outcomes Presented by: Dr. Laura Mills; Evaluation Services, BestNotes
10:00am
Morning Break
10:30am
Breakout Sessions T1
T1.01: Guiding Beyond the Trail: Career Pathways in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Presented by: Raynalde Schagen Lipfert, Matthew Wood, Justin Chaffee-Standish, Alexandra Kolaski
T1.02: The Precision of Attunement: Balancing Control and Autonomy in Mental Health Treatment Presented by: Jack Hinman and Jason Grygla
T1.03: What You Measure is What You Value: How to Design a Meaningful Outcomes System for Your Program Presented by: Brandon Payne and Angie Alvey
12:00pm
Lunch
1:30pm
Breakout Sessions T2
T2.01: Unpacking the Updated AEE Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Accreditation Standards Presented by: Katelyn BeVard
T2.02: Building Trust: Bridging Data with the Power of Story Presented by: Bill Brown
T2.03: The Art, Ceremony, and Therapeutic Value of Hand-Carved Wooden Spoons Presented by: Justin Swensen (*3 hr session, ends at 4:30pm)
T2.04: Outdoor Living, Wilderness Therapy and Metabolic Health Presented by: Rob Meltzer and Derek Daley (*3 hr session, ends at 4:30pm)
3:00pm
Afternoon Break
3:30pm
Breakout Sessions T3
T3.01: A New Approach to "IOP": The Effectiveness of Integrated Outdoor Programming in Outpatient Settings Presented by: Josh Flaherty and Tim Walsh
T3.02: Family Retreats - A State of the Art Modality Presented by: Cynthia Cohen and Christopher Blankenship
5:00pm
Break
5:15pm
Forest for the Trees: The Truth About Wilderness Therapy Sizzle Reel and Film Q&A Presented by Mark Strauss and Vince Dixon in Matterhorn
7:00pm - Meet at the Chessboard for a Ride
Join Cascade Programs and Oasis Ascent for Sauna Experience with a Cold Plunge! There will be two sessions 7:30pm and 8:30pm with limit of 25 people at each session. Email events@natsap.org for more information or rsvp by clicking here. Space is limited so register early!
Wednesday, June 4
7:00am
Breakfast
8:30am
Breakout Sessions W1
W1.01: Healing the Healers Presented by: Kaysha Sorensen and Mary Warren
W1.02: Inner Harmony: Using Expressive Art to Explore Your Internal System Presented by: Justin Swensen
W1.03: Effectively and Safely Integrating Outdoor Programming into Residential Treatment Presented by: Danny Frazer, Derek Daley, Tony Barrasso
W1.04: The Art of Deception and Connection: Making Ties and Tying Flies Presented by: Caleb Cottle (*3 hr session, ends at 11:30am)
10:00am
Morning Break
10:30am
Breakout Sessions W2
W2.01: What Predicts Positive and Negative Long-Term Outcomes of Adolescent Wilderness Therapy and Residential Treatment Programs? Presented by: Joanna Bettmann Schaefer, Naomi Martinez Gutierrez, Laura Mills
W2.02: Therapeutic Alliance Building with Multicultural Clients: Helping Clients Belong Presented by: Bernie Rupe
W2.03: Amplifying Student Voices: What Your Students are Sharing About Their Treatment Experiences and What They Would Change Presented by: Jon Larsen and Ariel Rhoades
12:00pm
Lunch
1:30pm - 5:00pm
NATSAP Networking
Members Only, Previous Sign-Up Required
Early Bird (Until April 18): $215 (Member) / $315 (Non-Member)
Regular (April 19 - May 23): $250 (Member) / $350 (Non-Member)
On-Site (After May 23): $250 (Member) / $350 (Non-Member)
Presenter: $0 (Member/Non-Member)
Please do not send registrations after May 23rd. If you want to register after this date, you must do so ON-SITE at the conference.
Substitution Policy: If a registrant is unable to attend this event for any reason, they may substitute someone else from the same organization for no change fee. On-site substitutions will be allowed for no fee.
Cancellation Policy: If an individual wishes to cancel his or her registration for the 2025 Utah Regional Conference, please inform the conference organizers in writing, by May 9th. NO REFUNDS will be issued after May 9th. Attendee substitutions are allowed at any time.
784 W Resort Dr
Midway, UT 84049 United States
2025 Wilderness Symposium and Utah Regional Conference will be held at the Zermatt Utah Resort & Spa.
To book a room in the discounted NATSAP room block, please use this link. The room block will be available until May 7th.