Therapeutic Benefits of Mountain Climbing Extend to Marriage Therapy

1. Therapeutic Benefits of Mountain
Climbing Extend to Marriage
Therapy
By: Deo Rampertab

2. Therapeutic Benefits of Mountain Climbing Extend to
Marriage Therapy
As the former associate director of the Office of the Inspector General of the VA, Dr. Deo
Rampertab has had the opportunity to provide oversight to teams composed of 4 to 6 members in
quality assurance and patient care inspections. As an outdoors enthusiast, Deo Rampertab, DPM,
loves mountain climbing.

3. Therapeutic Benefits of Mountain Climbing Extend to
Marriage Therapy
The marriage of Spokane couple Greg and Carol Onofrio is much the same as typical marriages.
After 33 years of being married, they had had their own share of triumphs and happiness, and of
struggles and sadness. The Onofrio’s have a son, who has battled alcoholism for years. Another
son has autism.

4. Therapeutic Benefits of Mountain Climbing Extend to
Marriage Therapy
However, the Onofrio’s have discovered (or rediscovered) an unusual but adventurous means of
therapy - mountain climbing. Greg said mountain climbing was more like a retreat for them. Facing
the challenges of mountain climbing takes their minds off their troubles at home and onto the
challenge at hand.

5. Therapeutic Benefits of Mountain Climbing Extend to
Marriage Therapy
Thirty-four years ago, when Greg and Carol were still dating, they had their first 14,000-foot climb
at Mount Sherman. The next climb took place 20 years later, when the Onofrio boys were more or
less grown up. Only the three men went mountain climbing, because Carol did not want to join
them. Carol increasingly felt left out, and went back to climbing again.

6. Therapeutic Benefits of Mountain Climbing Extend to
Marriage Therapy
The next 14 years was altogether different for Greg and Carol. During that period, they climbed all
53 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado. Greg said the experience was therapeutic and meditative.

7. Therapeutic Benefits of Mountain Climbing Extend to
Marriage Therapy
Greg’s and Carol’s story is more proof of the growing evidence from studies that say exposure to
nature can reduce stress, improve the emotions, and promote physical health.