About Me
I am Mark Lees, and I was born in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to San Diego in 1976. I now live in Oceanside, California. I have a son who is a large part of the inspiration for Hiker Therapy and the one who thankfully got me interested in hiking in 2012.
I have a Master’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chapman University, as well as certification as an Addiction Specialist in the State of California.
For physical and mental health care, I hike, gym, meditate, listen to Jazz music, and see s many San Diego Padres games as I can each year.
Experience
Besides my education, I also have 10+ years of experience working with individuals ages 12-75. The populations I have worked with include: adolescents, youth, LGBTQ+, veterans, and seniors. and families, who have had relationship and life challenges, crisis, ongoing unmanageable anxiety, depression, and out-of-control behaviors related to mental health disorders and alcohol and drug abuse/addiction.
Skills
I consider myself a motivator, a solution-focused coach, an addictions specialist, and recovery coach, a counselor, and a teacher. My MA in Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and my certification as an addiction specialist serve me well in these skill sets.
My Interventions include a solution-focused approach, which guides my client to build upon the positives and a promising future. I also use a motivational Interviewing approach and meet clients where they are at. I do not know what is better for a client than they do. But I can help guide them to be the best they can be.
Most of our thoughts are past-based ( where depression is seeded) or future-based ( where Anxiety is seeded due to a fear of letting go of the familiar and moving into the unknown). Neither of these do not exists, only the present exists. There is Peace in the moment.
I like to bring awareness to a group or an individual client about how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors. Positive thought equals a positive feeling and behavior. A negative thought equals a negative feeling and behavior. Our thoughts are not a choice, but our thinking is.
Professionally
I have incorporated Hiker Therapy into numerous counseling employment positions, including homeless veterans with alcohol and other drug use abuse, addiction, and mental health issues and concerns.
It never ceases to amaze me the change of attitude and willingness to share the clients I work with experience when we get out of the “office” 4-wall environment and hit the sidewalk, trail, or neighborhood we walk/hike in.
Not only do I notice the change in the clients I work with, but I too, although still professional, undergo a freeing feeling and become midful, receptive, and focused.
I hope you find the commentary, information, resources, and insights on these pages of benefit and motivation and I invite you to explore the world of Hiker Therapy.
Mark Lees, M.A., CADC-CAS
