Meet Bill

Bill Wilder

M.Div., M.A., LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

Bill Wilder, M.Div., M.A., LMHC, is a licensed mental health therapist and the founder of the Wilder Wellness Center. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Bill is known for his raw, unapologetic approach to therapy. He’s not interested in following conventional therapeutic methods. Instead, he’s all about helping people tap into their Instinctual Drive (ID) Intelligence —the primal force that’s been silenced by the pressures and expectations of modern life.

Background Story

Bill’s journey into the world of mental health and personal growth began with a strong desire to meet the expectations placed on him from a young age. Growing up, Bill was the classic "good boy," always striving to please others and avoid conflict. He learned early on to prioritize the needs and desires of others over his own, suppressing his intuition and burying his true emotions. By the time he reached his early twenties, Bill had meticulously checked off all the boxes that society and his upbringing had laid out for him: a college degree, marriage, and a high-status job. But instead of feeling fulfilled, he found himself increasingly disillusioned and trapped by the life he had built.

As he entered his 30s, Bill realized that the life he had meticulously constructed was suffocating him. He was living a life that wasn’t his own, driven by the need to meet others' expectations rather than following his own instincts and desires. This profound dissatisfaction led him to question everything he had been taught about success and happiness.

Armed with dual master’s degrees in Family Systems Therapy and Divinity, along with specialized training in Internal Family Systems therapy, Bill sought to understand why so many people, including himself, felt stuck in lives that didn’t align with their true selves. He realized that traditional therapy often kept people trapped in their heads, endlessly revisiting past traumas without offering a path to genuine empowerment. Bill knew there had to be a better way—one that tapped into the deep well of Instinctual Drive (ID) Intelligence that lies within each of us.

Driven by a hunger for a more comprehensive understanding, Bill turned to the study of history and the humanities, fields often overlooked in the context of personal growth. Through this exploration, he made the remarkable discovery that by giving a voice to his primitive instincts—those ancient, instinctual drives inherited from our ancestors—he could break free from the patterns of stagnation and regret that had previously dominated his life. This realization was life-changing, allowing him to assert his true self, express his emotions authentically, and experience a renewed sense of vitality.

Driven by a hunger for a more comprehensive understanding, Bill turned to the study of history and the humanities, fields often overlooked in the context of personal growth. Through this exploration, he made the remarkable discovery that by giving a voice to his primitive instincts—those ancient, instinctual drives inherited from our ancestors—he could break free from the patterns of stagnation and regret that had previously dominated his life. This realization was life-changing, allowing him to assert his true self, express his emotions authentically, and experience a renewed sense of vitality.

Bill’s turning point came during a winter expedition in Poland, where he participated in a Wim Hof training. As he learned to run toward freezing cold water, he unlocked a part of his psyche that sent him in a new life direction. In the bitter cold, Bill faced some of his deepest fears and anxieties. He realized that the real challenge wasn’t the physical discomfort, but the mental barriers he had built over the years. It was in those freezing waters that Bill discovered the power of Instinctual Drive (ID) Intelligence—a raw, primal force that had been buried deep within him. This experience in Poland wasn’t just a physical test; it was a profound spiritual awakening. Bill found that by embracing the discomfort and leaning into the fear, he could access a part of himself that had been dormant for years. This primal force was not only a source of courage and resilience but also a guiding light that showed him a new path forward. This experience was transformative, giving him the clarity and strength to break free from the life he had been living and pursue a new path—one that was aligned with his true self.

Founding of Wilder Wellness Center

Inspired by this transformation, Bill founded the Wilder Wellness Center in 2020. This wasn’t just another therapy center; it was a place where people could reconnect with their Instinctual Drive (ID) Intelligence and unlock the fierce, resilient energy within them. Bill’s approach is grounded in the belief that traditional therapy often overlooks the gut—the place where real courage and resilience live.

Bill’s philosophy is heavily influenced by the concept of the hero’s journey—a narrative that’s been central to human experience for thousands of years. He believes that every challenge presents an opportunity to move away from a victim mentality and step into your power, becoming the hero of your own story. By reframing personal struggles as part of a larger journey, Bill helps his clients understand that they have the power to shape their own destinies.
Bill’s work at the Wilder Wellness Center is focused on helping people stop overthinking and focusing on what others want for them. His goal is to guide people in reconnecting with the wild, primal energy within and living a life that’s truly worth living. Bill is committed to helping people unleash the fierce, unstoppable force within them and live authentically on their own terms.

A key idea of the Wilder Method is that therapy happens in life, not just in the therapy room. It’s about integrating the work into your daily life, making choices that align with your instincts, and taking actions that embody your inner strength. Bill’s approach is also influenced by instinctual presence—living in the moment with the natural awareness and simplicity of animals in nature. This helps you stop overthinking, move beyond societal pressures, and reconnect with the part of you that knows how to survive and thrive. Ultimately, the Wilder Method is about returning to the basics—reconnecting with the part of you that knows how to live boldly. It’s not just about addressing symptoms; it’s about unleashing the force within you, so you can live a life that’s authentic, courageous, and fully alive.