University of Denver – M.S.W. Clinical Social Work
University of Colorado Boulder – B.S. Psychology
About Will
Will has a long history in behavioral healthcare including providing psychotherapy at a community mental health center, a hospital, a private practice, and a boarding school. He is the co-founder of Summit Achievement, a hybrid wilderness therapy program located in Maine, which he owned and operated from 1996-2022. Will completed his master’s in social work (MSW) degree in 1987 and completed his Doctorate of Arts (DA) in leadership in 2011. His doctoral dissertation traced the evolution of wilderness therapy through critical leaders and incidents. He has been a licensed mental health professional (LCSW) in New Hampshire since 1987. Will wrote the book, Stories from the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy and is the host of the podcast, Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy.
Will has been drawn to Mountain Valley for many years as the organization is seen by behavioral healthcare professionals as the leader in the country in the anxiety treatment field. Will is truly honored to advise Mountain Valley as it moves into the second decade of helping young people and their families, and has always been impressed by the clinical sophistication of its treatment team as well as the caring professionalism of the program staff.
Will has been immersed in outdoor settings since he was born as he spent the first months of his life, and every summer thereafter, at his Great Grandfather’s home in the White Mountains. He currently runs a tree farm on his Great Grandfather’s property. Will hikes, backcountry skis, and trail runs along with his wife, Lisa from their home in Jackson, New Hampshire, where they raised their two sons.
