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The RAINE LAB

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Welcome to the RAINE Lab - Grove Institute's research branch expanding and improving behavioral health research and outcomes. The RAINE Lab is directed by Kallie Kurtz, the designer of Bilateral Kinetic Processing. 

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Our Current Projects: 

Bilateral Kinetic Processing
Mountains

Bilateral Kinetic Processing (BKP)

The Raine Lab is currently conducting quality improvement studies to formalize Bilateral Kinetic Processing (BKP) as a clinical standard. Our research explores the intersection of neuroscience and the natural world to move therapy beyond the four walls of an office.

  • The Power of Movement: We are researching how physical action shifts the brain from passive reflection to active processing. Movement engages the nervous system "bottom-up," allowing for deeper emotional regulation than sedentary talk therapy alone.

  • The Neuroscience of Bilateral Stimulation: Rhythmic, left-right patterns—such as walking, paddling, or cycling—mimic the neurological mechanisms of EMDR. Our studies focus on how this cadence facilitates interhemispheric communication to "unstick" traumatic memories and bridge executive function gaps in ADHD.

  • The Power of Nature: We examine the "Green Brain" effect—how outdoor spaces naturally lower cortisol and deactivate the brain’s rumination centers. This creates a regulated physiological baseline, allowing for more intense clinical work with less patient burnout.

Through these studies, The Raine Lab is codifying the Bilateral Kinetic Processing protocol, proving that the synergy of movement and the outdoors is a primary frontier for durable, evidence-based psychological healing.

Gorge
Trail Run
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Behavioral Health Incidents & Calls in SAR & Wilderness Medicine 

The RAINE Lab is conducting research investigating: 

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  • Quantifying SAR & Field Incident Rates: Analyzing real-time and historical Search and Rescue (SAR) incident logs to determine what percentage of calls involve primary behavioral health crises (e.g., acute panic, severe psychological distress, suicidal ideation) versus co-occurring behavioral health factors alongside physical trauma.

  • Measuring the Educational Discrepancy: Comparing the proportion of time dedicated to mental health in standard Wilderness Medicine certifications (WFA, WFR, WEMT, FAWN) against the real-world frequency of behavioral health calls encountered by field operators.

  • Building Evidence-Based Standards: Gathering field data to evaluate whether current wilderness medicine frameworks adequately prepare responders for psychological stabilization or if curricula require formal policy and structural reform.

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Core Questions Under Investigation

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Field Incident Data: How frequently do SAR activations involve acute psychological distress as either a primary cause or a significant secondary driver?

Curriculum Coverage: What percentage of standard Wilderness Medicine course hours address behavioral health compared to physical assessment and trauma management?

Operational Readiness: Do field guides, SAR personnel, and remote operators report feeling adequately equipped by standard certifications to manage psychological crises in austere settings?

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Awareness & Prevelance of Abusive Behavioral in Outdoor Settings 

Remote field settings remove traditional organizational safeguards and create unique power dynamics. The RAINE Lab is investigating foundational literacy regarding abusive behaviors in backcountry environments, the actual rates at which these behaviors occur, the consequences for individuals involved, and the broader impacts on outdoor communities.

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  • Behavioral Literacy & Categorization: Testing whether participants, guides, and leadership can accurately recognize, define, and categorize markers of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, or if these behaviors are frequently mischaracterized as "wilderness culture," discipline, or resilience training.

  • Prevalence & Individual Consequences: Measuring the frequency of abusive encounters across guided trips, field research expeditions, and outdoor education programs, while documenting the administrative, psychological, professional, and personal consequences for both survivors and perpetrators.

  • Community Outcomes & Cultural Impact: Examining how unaddressed abusive behaviors alter community trust, participant retention, organizational health, guide turnover, and collective safety norms within outdoor recreation and field education ecosystems.

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  • Research Questions:

    • Can outdoor recreationists, guides, and field students correctly define and categorize emotional, physical, and sexual abuse?

    • What are the rates at which individuals experience abusive behaviors in outdoor environments?

    • What are the operational, psychological, and professional consequences for those experiencing the abuse, as well as the organizational and administrative outcomes for those engaging in the abuse?

    • How do these incidents influence broader community outcomes—including participant retention, systemic trust, team cohesion, and overall cultural safety in the outdoor sector?

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