Jamie Kaczmarek has been instrumental in the development of Aspiro’s Vantage Point program and has been working in the wilderness therapy profession for the past 14 years. She specializes in working with adolescent males and females ages 13-17 years old. According to Jamie, establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships is the foundation of the Vantage Point program.
Vantage Point by Aspiro
Vantage Point by Aspiro provides a more comprehensive opportunity for assessment and treatment than most traditional wilderness therapy programs. Vantage Point employs Aspiro’s research-based model to exemplify healthy relationships, increase self-efficacy, and foster a sense of autonomy through skill enhancement. The Vantage Point program was designed to help students who struggle with:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Learning disorders
- Processing issues
- ADD/ADHD
- Social deficits
- Executive function deficits
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
More specifically, the program seeks to address issues such as excessive video game or screening addictions, computer addictions, impulsivity, verbal aggression, unhealthy hygiene or eating habits, parent-child conflict, academic difficulties, cognitive rigidity, limited friendships, and poor organizational skills.
Jamie attributes much of the success of Aspiro’s Vantage Point program to the ability to operate and process certain things “in the moment,” otherwise known as “In Vivo” therapy. The “In Vivo” method allows students to learn more experientially. This, she says, helps to teach students what they do not typically understand in a way that makes it more “normal.” In addition, Jamie feels that the opportunity to expose these students to many different novel environments enables the treatment team to provide a more functional assessment of clinical needs; thus, allowing the program to target specific areas of skill development.
Meet Jamie Kaczmarek, LCSW
Role
Clinical Wilderness Therapist, Vantage Point
Educational Background:
Master’s in Social Work from the University of Utah
Bachelors in Psychology and Outdoor Recreation from Indiana University
Professional Background:
Jamie is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Utah. Her professional background includes a clinical emphasis in autism spectrum disorders encompassing cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, collaborative problem solving, and dialectical behavioral therapy. In addition, Jamie specializes in the assessment and treatment of:
- Nonverbal Learning Disorder
- Family Systems
- Depression
- Adoption/Attachment
- ADHD
- Mood Disorders
- Anxiety
As a youngster, Jamie was climbing trees and catching fireflies in the outskirts of Chicago, Illinois. Her love for the wilderness influenced her decision to obtain a B.S. in Outdoor Recreation with an emphasis in Environmental Education from Indiana University in 1999. With the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Baja, Mexico, Jamie was educated in leadership and team dynamics through an experiential adventure approach. She then began her career in 2000 serving adjudicated youth in the wilderness working for Alternative Youth Adventures (AYA), in South Central Utah.
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Download our Aspiro Model of Change whitepaper to learn more about our research-based wilderness adventure therapy program.