Logos’ Beginnings
The vision of Logos Wilderness Therapy was first planted in the hearts and minds of founders Jessica Roberts, Chelsea Van Essen, and Karly Buer long before it was ever conceptualized. Through their own stories and experiences working in the field of mental health and wilderness therapy, a passion grew in each founder for journeying with a population that is greatly underserved, misunderstood, and present within every city, town, and community. In 2018, Logos Wilderness Therapy was founded and soon was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, beginning their first wilderness therapy intensive trip in the summer of 2019.
Logos is an entirely new “safe house” model that reduces re-traumatization of survivors by providing the necessary support and freedom of space to establish solid foundations for healing. By combining the well documented benefits of wilderness, along with trauma-focused therapeutic approaches, survivors are able to begin or continue the long and hard road of healing and reclaim their physical, spiritual, and emotional freedom.
The Meaning of Logos
Lógos is a powerful Greek word translated as “word, logic, order, and meaning”, the wholeness of what ought to be. Words are essential to communication, communication is essential to connection, and connection is essential for healing. Trauma is an experience that is without words. It demands to be listened to but often isn’t given space to be spoken. In safety, what is hidden in darkness can be brought to light and truth can be given voice. With words, pain can be named and so can hope. Lógos is the beginning of freedom, the continuation of wholeness.
Logos Staff
Chelsea Van Essen
Clinical Director
Chelsea is a passionate social justice advocate, entrepreneur, and outdoor educator. Beginning her first anti-trafficking organization during her undergraduate studies, today she continues to fight alongside others for their restoration and freedom as a founder and Clinical Director of Logos Wilderness Therapy. Chelsea has a Masters of Social Work, is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and has over nine years of guiding experience leading deep wilderness trips in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. As the Clinical Director of Logos, Chelsea co-leads the organization with the Director of Operations and specializes in creating wilderness experiences that cultivate wholeness, healing and hope for survivors.
In her spare time, Chelsea enjoys spending time with friends and family, going on spontaneous adventures, playing in the mountains, and painting.
Jessica Roberts
Director of Operations
Jessica is an avid adventurer, passionate social justice advocate, a registered psychotherapist, and loves finding solutions to the hardest problems. She received a Master of Science degree in Outdoor Adventure Sport Management and has spent over five years in the field of wilderness therapy and outdoor education. Her life experience and heart for this population drew her to become a co-founder of Logos Wilderness Therapy and Director of Operations. In this role, Jessica oversees the internal workings of Logos and co-leads the organization alongside the Clinical Director. Both work together to create a purpose and joy filled environment in every facet of the organization.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys adventuring with friends and family, spending time with her Alaskan Malamute pup named Shadow, and both trying and learning new things. She is also currently working on a Master of Social Work.
Jamie Rosseland
Social Media Specialist
Jamie is a consultant in the field of anti-trafficking work with expertise in the coordination of care and program development for victims and survivors of sexual exploitation, development and implementation of trauma-competent and survivor-centered digital marketing strategies, and has been active in local government and statewide level policy advocacy. She has experience working as a survivor advocate providing mentorship, court advocacy, and coordination of care to youth impacted by sexual exploitation with the Open Doors Outreach Network. Additionally, Jamie has presented at countless community events, statewide summits, and national conferences.
In 2018, Jamie won the Survivor Advocate of the Year award presented by the Florida Attorney General for her outstanding work with exploited youth. When not working in direct services or educating the community, Jamie also utilizes her creative and strategic eye to enhance the marketing and social media campaigns of anti-trafficking non-profits and consults with academics on research methodologies and practices. Currently, Jamie oversees social media strategy and digital outreach efforts for several nonprofit organizations that serve survivors of trafficking, including Logos Wilderness Therapy!
In her spare time, you can find Jamie studying to complete her bachelor's degree in social sciences, meeting with friends in coffee shops, going on adventures and hikes with her son, or practicing creative expression
Board of Directors
Seth Van Essen, Board Member
Seth is a husband and father of twins. He loves to adventure from the mountains to the ocean. He has a wide variety of interests and enjoys trying new things. His journey has led to a career in the financial world at a bank/investor/entrepreneur/etc. but has also had the joy to serve his church as an ordained pastor. He is passionate to see community fostered and to invite those who are isolated and distant from healthy community to be engaged and find belonging.
Andrew Arnold, Board Member
Executive Director and Instructor Trainer for Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries. SROM provides opportunities for people to escape the pressures and distractions of life, go on a wild adventure and connect with God, others and their purpose in the outdoors. Andrew has been a practitioner of experiential based discipleship, leadership development and learning for 20 years. He has trained and developed over 300 people to lead others in wilderness and outdoor settings and he has been an instructor and facilitator to thousands of participants on wilderness trips.
Jessica Roberts, Board Chair
See above for bio.