Not Therapy: From Running Away to Giving Back with Hayley Caddes and Colin MacDonald

What happens when former “troubled teens” decide to give back? In this episode of The Reframe, Douglas Bodin and Dr. Heather Tracy sit down with Hayley Caddes and Colin MacDonald, co-founders of Not Therapy, a coaching collective reimagining mental health beyond traditional therapy models. Drawing on their own journeys through wilderness programs, rehab, and therapeutic boarding schools, Hayley and Colin share candid insights about the gaps in current treatment approaches, the evolving struggles teens face today, and why healing is an ongoing, personalized process that requires more than therapy. They explore the power of peer-led coaching, the essential role of parental support, and how lived experience can unlock new paths to sustainable wellness. Tune in for a candid and hopeful conversation about moving past stigma, embracing diverse mental health tools, and building communities that truly support growth after treatment!Key Points From This Episode:Meet Hayley and Colin: co-founders of Not Therapy.Hayley’s journey from self-harm and substance abuse to Columbia graduate and founder.Colin’s story of anger, rehab, wilderness programs, running away, and returning stronger.What has changed: why teens today are “acting in,” not “acting out.”Social media, parental anxiety, and the new face of teen struggles.Why treatment isn’t the end; it’s the first step in lifelong change.The critical role of parental involvement, trust, and preparation.Why Not Therapy focuses on post-treatment support and peer mentoring.Building a community, routine, and vision for the future.Personal empowerment: making mental health tools work after the program ends.How Not Therapy connects with clients by sharing real stories, not sales pitches.Challenging therapy stigma and debunking the myth of one-size-fits-all mental health care.The power of lived experience versus clinical credentials.Partnering with parents, consultants, programs, and graduates for meaningful impact.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Not TherapyHayley CaddesColin MacDonaldNot Therapy on InstagramHayley Caddes on InstagramColin MacDonald on InstagramHeather TracyNew Summit AcademyDouglas Bodin The Bodin Group