About the archivist

Will White is a nationally recognized researcher and speaker on the history of adventure and wilderness therapy.  He received his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver and his Doctorate degree in Leadership from Franklin Pierce University. His dissertation is the first in-depth chronicle of the history of wilderness and adventure therapy.  He contributed a history chapter to the book Adventure Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice.  He is the author of the book, Stories from the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy.  He is also the host of the podcast, Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy.

He has presented at numerous conferences including the Wilderness Risk Management Conference, the Wilderness Therapy Symposium, and Association for Experiential Education Conference. Will has been invited to present at universities on the subject of the history of wilderness and adventure therapy including University of New Hampshire, Unity College, and Plymouth State University (where he teaches Wilderness Therapy). He has also been invited to consult to several organizations including Patagonia, Rippleffect, Outward Bound, Gould Academy, Mountain Valley Treatment Center and Mansfield Hall.

Will has served as the Chair of the Therapeutic Adventure Professionals Group of the Association of Experiential Education, Secretary for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs and is currently representing Summit on the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council. 

As co-founder of Summit Achievement, Will has helped to establish Summit Achievement as the premier adventure therapy program in the Northeast. In his twenty two years at Summit Will has served as a Primary Therapist, Clinical Director, Clinical Supervisor, CEO and, is currently serving as Outreach Director at Summit Achievement.  He is a passionate advocate for the use of wilderness/ adventure therapy as a catalyst for change.

You can contact Will at will@summitachievement.com