our roots
Deanna, founder & chief operator here. It's nice to meet you.
I'm excited to introduce you to the rest of the crew, but I ought to start with why this crew exists in the first place. While we each have our own journey that got us here, the mission of this project is much larger. Its roots extend deeper than any one of us can reach and yet we're intimately acquainted with. That's because we sit on top of a water table that connects us with all of humanity: the need to belong, to explore, to be safe.
Here's what I had hoped for when I planted the practice initially.
The problem was, I came to realize, that I had put my plant in a pot. The practice quickly outgrew what I could do on my own, but as someone who tests a foothold a dozen times no matter how solid the rock is, I worried about the faith others would be putting in me if I was to expand. Who was I to hold such privilege! So I stepped back, took stock of the situation, and garnered confidence directing adventure therapy and clinical operations for a large corporation. When our paths forked at the proverbial river bend, I found myself back here. This time, ready... not necessarily because I had unlocked some miracle skill set that makes me immune to failure though. I am ready because people showed me the way. From the ground, we built incredibly beautiful imperfect experiences, rain or shine, good days and bad, and whether we were laughing or crying, we were learning about ourselves, our shared humanity, and how to build community. I'm looking forward to you meeting them! May we grow this dream together.
Where the VISION meets EXPERIENCE
DEANNA VERMULM
FOUNDER & CHIEF OPERATOR
Clinical Social Worker & WA Approved Supervisor
LICSW #SWI.LW.61016602
Education
Master of Social Work, University of Washington
Concentration: Children, Youth & Families
2016
Bachelor of Arts, Seattle Pacific University
Majors: Psychology, Sociology
2013
Affiliations & Advanced Trainings
I am a member of the Association for Experiential Education and Association for Contextual Behavioural Science.
Post-graduate certifications include clinical rock climbing and I am I am in the process of obtaining certifications as a Clinical Adventure Therapist (CCAT) and Game to Grow Therapeutic Game Master. In addition to these experiential modalities, I have received training in ACT, EMDR, ABFT, and CBT+.
I maintain a Wilderness First Responder certification in order to provide emergency care when facilitating therapy in areas far from advanced medical care.
Building from my foundation of third wave cognitive behavioral therapies, I use creative ways following evidence-based models to broaden therapeutic services to clients who would benefit beyond talk therapy. I see the value of bringing ideas to the real world, having watched clients conquer challenges after saying “I could never do that.” I also think therapy doesn’t always have to be serious even though it’s always serious work. If anything, my background in some of the most acute treatment settings speaks to the power of adding a little bit of levity in even the most complex and challenging circumstances. I tend to bring joy and spirit to my work, as well as great appreciation for my clients who trust me enough to laugh with me (and yes, some times at me).
On a personal note
My parents named me after Deanna Troi, the counselor aboard the USS-Enterprise in Star Trek. Ironically enough, in a family full of engineers and mathematicians, that's exactly what I became. When I am not working, I love to cook, read, game, climb, run, kayak, backpack, do art, and pursue my personal quest of finding the best house-made chai this side of the Cascades. My husband and my cat have to put up with my eve rgrowing pile of (incredibly organized) things and endless rabbit holes on all things worth learning, which is everything.
We are all adventure practitioners in our own rights and have different ways of relating to the world. We don't believe there is one "right" fit for anything in life and attest to the ways our own lived experiences intersect with our professional identities. As a human being, you have the right to services where you are accepted and seen. Despite our best efforts, we recognize ways that we fall short due to our limitations as well as our privilege. Thankfully, there are colleagues doing equally awesome work. If the caring embrace of a knowing other provides the safety necessary for the hard work ahead of you, may you be held in affinity.
We recognize we live and work on the stolen lands of the S’Klallam, Makah, & Quileute tribes. We are establishing practices to support tribal efforts, which includes preservation of their land through responsible stewardship. As adventure practitioners in wilderness contexts, we remain deferential guests and respect the larger-than-human rights that belongs to the natural world by adhering to Leave No Trace principles.