Who I am:
I am a psychologist, group facilitator, teacher and artist. I live close to nature with horses, dogs, chickens, cats & goats and love to share this peaceful world. I strive to create a safe, fun and non-judgmental space for healing to take place. My goal is to bring peace, creativity and healing to you, and together we can bring peace, creativity and healing to our communities and the world.

“I believe each individual has worth, dignity and the capacity for self-direction if given an empathic,
non-judgmental and supportive environment” ~ Carl Rogers


My philosophy:
(Adapted from Natalie Rogers person centered approach to Expressive Art Therapy.)
As a psychologist, equine therapy facilitator and therapeutic artist, my foundation is based in humanistic psychology training, trauma-informed practices, ARCH Model principles and Carl Rogers' person-centered philosophy. I’m aware that starting therapy can be both a frightening, exhilarating or exhausting adventure. I will be present for you, but not intrusive. I believe that you know how to take care of yourself. I won’t be responsible for you or take over your power, nor will I abandon you. I will respect you and your decisions for yourself. I believe in your abilities and will support you and encourage you. I may challenge you and your belief system at times, but I will always respect you. I will encourage you to try new things, to take risks into the unknown, but I will never push you. I will offer you experiential equine-assisted therapy and therapeutic art to help you to discover your inner essence and make your unique choices. You are free not to use these therapies. At times, I will give you my opinion and feedback, but I will always check it out to see if it’s meaningful to you. I will honor my own boundaries and yours, to the best of my ability. I will share my values and belief systems with you, so you’ll know why I’m saying and doing what I say and do. I am open to learning from you at all times. I make mistakes, do things I’m not pleased with, and I may be misguided at times. In such instances, I will say so and apologize to you.

My education:
I am a Limited License Psychologist (since 1993) and founded my private practice, The Sundance Center in 2001. I graduated with my Master's in Psychology from the Center for Humanistic Studies (now Michigan School of Psychology) in Detroit. Prior to that I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a double major in Fine Arts and Psychology. In 2001 I was certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association and obtained my advanced certification in 2009. This allowed me to partner with horses to help people. In 2018, I started a self-directed study of therapeutic art and have now added that to my practice as well. In addition to my private practice, I'm also co-creator of Arenas for Change (ARCH), a world wide organization that support and educate professionals who incorporate horses in mental health, organizational development, and education. I am supervised by Dan Klainer, PhD. of Kalamazoo, Michigan and mentored by ARCH founder and CEO Lynn Thomas, LCSW.

Continuing education:
Annual Eagala conferences (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) (2002-current):
I've attended and presented at this conference almost annually since 2002. Here's just a few of the topics covered: Neuropsychology, Jungian dream work, art therapy, grief and loss, trauma, working with veterans, ethics, working with Highly Sensitive People, Motivational Interviewing, LGBTQ populations, and many many more over 16 years of attendance.

NIACBM (National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine) (2018):
Treating Trauma Masters Series; online seminars with Peter Levine, Pat Ogden, Bessel Van der Kolk, Ron Siegel & more

The BREATHE Network (2018):
Embodied Healing: Trauma-informed Yoga and Meditation for Survivors of Sexual Assault

Trauma-informed practices and Expressive Arts Institute (2018):
Trauma-informed Art Therapy and Trauma-informed Expressive Arts Therapy

​The American Art Therapy Association (2018):
Art Therapy and Ethics
Art Therapy Theory, Practice and Techniques

"Psychotherapy and the Highly Sensitive Person" Elaine Aron (2016): passed the test to be listed as an HSP-knowledgable Professional on Elaine Aron's website (research psychologist, author and creator of the Highly Sensitive term)

Stormy May (2017): Compassionate Communication with Horses - a mindfulness course.

Spirit Horse Festival (1st annual in New Zealand 2016): Native American spirituality, yoga and mindfulness, dialogue and consent with horses

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