Fire season... "Idaho's 5th season." Though fires are a normal and essential part of healthy forests and a healthy planet, climate change has literally turned up the heat and intensified fire season. Fire season is longer than ever before, extending to areas of the world that didn't normally feel the impact--and places like Idaho, where smoke from wildfires is normal, are seeing it more than before. 

Fire season can be tough to cope with. Many of the summer things we look forward to are not accessible when smoke is really bad; spending time outside gets trickier. 

For some, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) actually peaks in the summer months, not the winter. Smoke and heat can make summertime SAD even harder. Knowing that this is a valid experience can help. 

Here are some tips to consider when trying to get through the haze:

1. Change out your air filters with HEPA filters (both in your car and in your home).
2. Download the Air Now app from the EPA to check the current air quality before heading outside, especially if you plan to exercise or have kids or a respiratory condition. 
3. Invest in a respirator so you can continue to exercise safely when conditions are in "unhealthy" categories or if you're particularly sensitive to air pollution.
4. Use your time indoors as a chance to advocate for climate change initiatives, educate yourself about things we can do, or donate to causes you care about. Here are some places to start:
   1. Moms Clean Air Force https://www.momscleanairforce.org/ 
      
   2. Healthy Air Campaign https://www.lung.org/policy-advocacy/healthy-air-campaign
      
   3. Climate & Clean Air Coalition https://www.ccacoalition.org/en
5. Embrace (as much as you can) the indoor time. Catch up on reading, TV, or another project. 
6. Catch the sunsets. Perhaps the only good thing about intense wildlife seasons is that the smoke makes some nice sunsets/sunrises. Might as well enjoy the colors!

If you're having a hard time coping, know that there are climate aware therapists that specialize in this exact thing. ​

If you're an avid hiker or outdoors-lover in Idaho, you may have have heard of the Idaho 12ers--the nine peaks in Idaho that rise above 12,000', including Mount Borah (Idaho's tallest, at 12,667'). I've been captivated by the 12ers since my teenage years and I completed them a few summers ago. These are some of my most cherished memories and also the reason I'm working on a book about mountain climbing and healing.

Earlier this summer, a producer from Outdoor Idaho (a long-standing show on Idaho Public Television) reached out to me to ask if I'd be interested in being interviewed for a show they were working on about the Idaho 12ers. Specifically, he wanted to know if I would speak to the "why"-- why do people do this? What's the psychology behind it?

I have watched Outdoor Idaho since I can remember, and I was so excited and honored by this opportunity! After discussing details, we made plans to climb an 11er (11,000' peaks; since I am working on those now after finishing the 12ers) that summer. They have spent hundreds of hours planning, filming, and editing, and now, the show has been released! I thought I'd share a link to the teaser and the full video too. Let me know what you think! :)

Click here to watch the teaser  (3 minutes)

Click here to watch the entire show (56 minutes)

Hello! I’ve decided to start blogging again, and I wanted my first post to be an introduction to me and what I plan to blog about. If you’ve read my website “About” section, you know I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Idaho. I have a bachelor’s degree in Writing, a master’s degree in Counseling, and a doctorate in Counselor Education. I’ve been a counselor in private practice since 2014. This is now my full time gig, which I love! I’ve also spent time working as a school counselor and as a postdoctoral researcher for NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) grant.
 
I’ve traveled quite a bit, but Idaho has always been home. Most of my family is here and I love the natural beauty and public land here. I am a nature lover at heart. The outdoors is where I get my greatest inspiration and what I rely most heavily on for self-care. I love to hike, ski (downhill and cross-country), rock climb, windsurf, and mountain bike. I have climbed all of Idaho’s 12ers (12,000’+ peaks--see photo below!) and I’m working my way through the long list of “11ers”. I also love reading and writing—and sometimes cooking, but that ebbs and flows!