Daniel L. Cavanaugh, PhD, LCSW is a clinical social worker with practice experience in community mental health, schools, prevention programming, and adventure therapy settings. Daniel grew up in Flint, Michigan, and moved to the Northwest to study psychology at Portland State University. He then returned to Michigan where he completed his MSW and PhD at Michigan State University. Daniel’s research interests are related to mental illness prevention, outdoor and adventure therapies, LGBTQ+ equity, and community-based mental health services. Daniel is co-host of  The Adventure Therapy Collective Podcast. When Daniel isn’t working, he can usually be found climbing in the Cascades, snowboarding at Mt. Hood, or riding his mountain bike or trail running in and around Portland. 

Daniel is passionate about using the outdoors and experiential adventure to support young people and families who face increased levels of risk. Daniel believes in the efficacy of these interventions because of the positive impact they have had on his life, personally. Daniel is working with PBJF because he is excited about working to support young people having access to adventure therapy interventions in their communities. He is invigorated to work with PBJF to build a network of clinicians to support young people who are encountering mental illness and other behavioral health challenges. Kurt Hahn believed in making Outward Bound style outposts called “islands of healing” to deliver facilitated adventure to young people in urban and suburban environments. Daniel wants to help PBJF create some islands here in the Northwest!