More about our Mental Health Coaching Journey

I own and run Whisperwind Grove Stables in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley, just outside of Salem. I am a certified trauma recovery coach, a certified equine assisted learning coach and a certified equine specialist for equine assisted psychotherapy. I have been a horsewoman my entire life, I've loved horses always, found every opportunity I could to be around them when I was little. Around the age of eleven, I discovered Montey Roberts book, The Man Who Listens to Horses. He describes how he learned the language of these beautiful creatures and from then on, I wanted to learn to do that too. I got a paper route to pay for regular lessons and was gifted my first horse at twelve. Through the years, I have regularly taken lessons in various disciplines, attended many clinics (some by big name trainers like Buck Brannaman, Chris Cox, Pat Parelli, Clinton Anderson), competed successfully, all while having a great love for communicating and connecting with my horses. Throughout 2020 I studied Warwick Schiller's methods and principals by becoming an online subscriber. Learning from him and listening to his Journey On podcast rekindled that passion in me and I wanted to go beyond communicating with my horses. I wanted to learn even more about the inner workings of horses and all the diverse ways we as humans can learn to partner with them.

 I began my professional journey into the mental health and equine assisted field in 2015. I earned my first EAP Equine Specialist & EAL Coach certification with EAGALA in 2016. In 2021 I decided to launch myself to the next level by becoming involved in the two-year dual certification process with Natural Lifemanship. I've learned so much about how our brains work, how to regulate, how to grow self-compassion, how to connect up close and from afar, how people attach in relationship and how to heal in the context of relationship with both horses and humans. Most of all I loved learning that we can work on healing and re-parenting ourselves in a way that isn't overly invasive. I am on track to finish my certification by the end of the year. During this time, I also discovered the IAOTRC and just knew this coaching specialization was made for me! They not only require students to meet the standard of "trauma informed" they push beyond and equip us to be "trauma trained."  I am so proud to have achieved certification as a trauma recovery coach and become a part of this amazing community! I wanted certifications that went beyond being a certified life coach. I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to maximize my learning in becoming a mental health coach with multiple amazing associations that are trauma informed and respect the equines deeply. With these certifications I am able to offer online coaching as well as in person experiences.

Over the years of all my eclectic learning I have gathered a wealth of knowledge about the effects of trauma on the mind, the body, behavioral tendencies and relational patterns. I have a passion for connecting the dots on what is happening to us now, when/who/where it came from and what we can do about it in an empowering way that doesn't retraumatize us. Creating understanding for our mind and body can help us to collaborate with ourselves rather than engaging in cyclical internal warfare. What started as my own healing journey has flourished into guiding others and giving support to them on their path.

In 2019 my husband and I took the big leap of selling our house in town and buying our horse farm. I knew it was meant to be when I discovered that a ranch that I took many riding lessons and cleaned stalls at as a kid was for sale. The location was too perfect being an hour south of the Portland area, about an hour north of Eugene, and only minutes outside of Salem Oregon. I wanted a place that people could easily find and feel comfortable traveling to. I very soon after launched our very own equine assisted psychotherapy program with my LCSW partner and equine assisted learning coaching program. I was able to quit my sixteen yearlong job as a hairdresser in just a couple of months because the programs grew so quickly. Since then, I have added trauma recovery coaching to the mix, and it has been a great addition!

On a personal note, I am a Christian woman who loves God and loves people! People of all faiths are welcomed by me. For people who believe as I do, I am happy to bring scripture and our shared love of Christ into your session. For people who are curious, I am very comfortable with sharing the amazing story of Jesus and introducing people to the peace of the Holy Spirit. For those who do not believe the same as myself, I will gladly keep it at showing you the connection, care and support that you need without pushing my spiritual beliefs on anyone. You won't find any shaming Bible thumping here!

 All are welcome, come as you are!