I was the girl who begged for a horse growing up and was at the local barn taking a lesson every time I saved up enough in my allowance.  I found my way into therapeutic horseback riding as a volunteer during college and became a certified riding instructor through CHA in 2004.  I then became a NARHA Instructor (now PATH) in 2005 and finally got my own horse, Cody, while working at a therapeutic riding program near Charlotte NC.  I moved to Western NC in 2007 to work at Mountin' Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center and while there became a PATH Advanced Instructor and managed the program, horses, and farm.  I realized I wanted to shift into mental health and began graduate school in 2011 and began connecting with the team at Horse Sense through training and events I attended on the farm.  Since graduating from Western Carolina University in 2013 with my MSW, I worked at the VA Hospital in Asheville and then moved into private practice in Summer of 2021.  I am now an LCSW, LCAS, Certified EMDR Therapist, Certified Perinatal Therapist, and trained in level 1 TFEAP through Natural Lifemanship. In my private practice, I enjoy spending Wednesdays at Horse Sense working with clients there and supporting the clinical team.  There's nothing quite like being with a horse as part of my workday and I consider it a privilege to join clients in their therapeutic journey in this way.  Hope to see you on the farm!