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 Masters Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chapman University, as well as certication as ab Addictons Therapist in the State of California. 

For physical and mental heath care I hike, gym, meditate, lisen to Jazz music and see s many San Diego padres games as I can easch 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+, veteran’s, 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 coach, a recovery coach, a counselor and a teacher.  My MA In Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy serves 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.). Both of these do not exist, only the present exists.  I use CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to bring awareness to how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors.   

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, 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