Dan Phillips, LCMHC

Family Therapist
dan@elementswilderness.com

Dan started working with adolescents in 1998 after earning his undergraduate degree in Criminology and a minor in Psychology. Over the past 17 years, he has held a multitude of positions in the adolescent therapeutic community including wilderness field staff, recreation counselor, outpatient clinician, and ultimately wilderness therapist. He earned his degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2007 and proceeded to work as a primary therapist in both the private and public sector. Dan was drawn to wilderness therapy by the desire to reach out to adolescents in manner that would allow a deeper connection than traditional therapeutic interventions. He is a believer in the power of growth through struggle, as this allows individuals to gain a belief in their own abilities by conquering obstacles never thought possible. Wilderness therapy also helps dispel myths perpetuated by a system that measures growth by standardized tests and brand names. In this a label-less environment, we are judged by the manner in which we care for the needs of self and those who surround us rather than a recognized symbol indicating we are ok. Dan has been married for twelve years and is the father of three children who are his primary focus when not attending the needs of his clients at Elements.