About Hiker Therapy
I am a proponent of nature to self-soothe, manage, and ease symptoms of anxiety, mood disorders, mental health and substance abuse disorders or feeling stuck in life.
Nature engages the five senses (sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch) like no other physical place. When the five senses are engaged, we are present in the moment, better enabling us to seek clarity and change.
Physical activity such as hiking provides the exercise effect which research is beneficial in managing good mental health.
I Can Offer Guidance and Support with
- Anxiety disorders and Depression
- Confidence, Self Worth & Self Esteem
- Understanding how blame holds us back
- The importance of Self-Care
- Loving Romantic Relationships That Work, The 5 Mainstays: Communication, Family, Financial, Sexual and Spiritual
- Getting Your Needs Met; Learning to Set Boundaries with people, places and things in your life
- How to Achieve Service and Purpose
- Managing Grief, Loss, Sadness and Change
- Are The 3 Pilars in Balance : Relationships, Work, Home
- Substance Abuse Recovery
- Relapse Prevention Planning
- Families in Recovery
The hikes I plan for us are done at a length and activity level comfortable with each client.
By changing the “office” we work in a new dynamic takes place, transforming the individual differently.
I also offer tele-health and park sessions.
Please take your time going through the information and material posted on these pages.
Mission Statement
To use nature, the physical activity of hiking, and my professional training as a mental health and recovery clinician to provide client-centered healing and repair.
Please call me at 760-215-2112
or email hikertherapy@gmail.com to book a session
Mark Lees, M.A.
Testimonials
I love the outdoors, and I love hiking. Hiker Therapy offers me a safe place to be myself. I feel comfortable enough to share my feelings and concerns without judgment. Mark is a great counselor, facilitator, and guide. – Wendy S
We just wanted to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your guidance and support during a very, very difficult time in our lives. You have an amazing ability to address the core issues and provide us tools on how to deal with them. You showed us the good, the bad, and the ugly parts in both our relationship and ourselves that needed to be tended to and healed. – Jennifer and Rob M
Hiker Therapy is such a great idea. As someone in recovery, I needed an outlet to fill the void of abstaining from narcotics. Hiking and nature answered this for me. Mark’s style and non-judgmental ways only added to the therapeutic value for me. Mark’s knowledge of the world of addiction and recovery was huge for me. He knew when and where to call me out on my shit. And he did. Great experience and I’m sober and learning how to live, as Mark would say, with Service and Purpose. I recommend this service to anyone in need of recovery. – David L
About Me
My name is Mark Lees, and I was born in Detroit, Michigan. I now live in Oceanside, California, on the coast 35 miles north of San Diego. I have a son and recently became a Grand Pop.
I have a Master’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chapman University. I also am a CCAPP Certified Addictions Specialist in the State of California.
Besides my education, I also have 10+ years of experience working with varied populations such as adolescents, families in recovery, young adults, LGBTQ, Veterans, seniors and families, who have had mental health disorders and AOD (alcohol and other drugs) abuse/addiction.
For fun and self-care, I like to hike, Gym, get into the Eastern Sierra as much as I can, meditate, and see as many San Diego Padres baseball games as I can each season. I love the calming and healing powers of music and consider Jazz my go-to genre.
Hiker Therapy is my passion and holistic connection to nature and the curative therapeutic calm it provides. Counseling those in need of healing for mental health and addiction-related disorders is my service and purpose.
I have used Hiker Therapy at various employment positions as well as through my private practice.
I am currently editing POP’S TAKE US TO THE TOP: The Story of how Father and Son reconcile their fractured relationship through the sport of hiking, culminating in the attempt to summit Mt. Whitney, the highest Mountain Peak in the lower 48 states.
E @760-215-2112 SO THAT I CAN WORK WITH YOU TO GET YOUR GROUP OUT ON THE TR
My North County Top 5 Hikes
(click on hike for link)
Lake Calavera Preserve; Oceanside, CA
Double Peak Mountain; San Marcos, CA
Stanley Peak, Daly Ranch; Escondido, CA
Monserate Mountain; Fallbrook,CA
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, Carmel Valley. CA
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