Guides

A wilderness therapy program is only as good as the people who deliver the program content. Our team of clinicians are all masters and doctorate level clinicians who have spent years working with Troubled Teens.

90% of Medicine Wheel’s field guides are college graduates. They typically stay with our company an average of 16 months.  Most of our guides are under contract for periods ranging from 8 to 12 months.

Potential employees must spend six days in the wilderness learning the pragmatics of field management as well as core policies designed to keep troubled clients safe and magnify growth opportunities.

A three week wilderness therapy internship is also required prior to employment. During this time, interns learn wilderness living skills and observe field staff at work. Interns must also complete the same curriculum as our clients. Once hired, field guides receive weekly training from our clinical director and therapy staff on the developmental hiatus modality.

Medicine Wheel wilderness therapy staff are randomly drug tested throughout their employment with a comprehensive urine screen. All employees must pass a criminal background check.

Medicine Wheel trains staff better than any other wilderness therapy program. Part of this training includes the language of Ego States. This language is not the basis of Medicine Wheel therapy, it is simply a communication tool that creates consistency from guide to guide and from guide to client.

Medicine Wheel guides realize that to advance in our corporate structure they must understand and incorporate this language. To assist staff in complimenting the treatment modality we offer:

  • Weekly clinical instruction
  • Study manuals
  • Client background information which explains the client’s diagnosis, family dynamics, and history.
  • Treatment plan from the clinician outlining the needs and therapeutic goals for each client.  This documentation is provided by the clinician to field guides for each client in each group.

Please explore our website or call an admissions counselor at (800) 898-1244 for additional information about how Medicine Wheel at RedCliff Ascent can help.