Mission

Elevation Ecotherapy provides an experiential well-being haven rejoining humans within nature to promote sustainable resilience and holistic nourishment to beings and the land. Services apply an integrative approach to help individuals progress with their well-being goals through animal-assisted and nature-based therapy in an inclusive, outdoors environment and telehealth services for increased access to high-quality care with a focus on mind-body-spirit integration for healing and growth.

Combining over 30 years of equestrian experience with extensive graduate clinical education in the field of animal-assisted interventions, I am a dually-fluent clinician for effective and safe human-animal-nature therapies.

I earned a Master of Social Work in Clinical Behavioral Health with honors from the University of Maryland and an undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary. Currently, I am in residency for a doctor of social work in advanced clinical practice and leadership degree from the University of Tennessee. I am credentialed as a Lic ens ed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia and a Lic ens ed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) in Maryland. My advanced training in animal-assisted and nature-based therapies includes post-graduate certificates in veterinary social work from the Univer sity o f Tennessee, and equine-assisted mental health from the University of Denver. I completed a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health studying traumatic stress in patients with cancer diagnoses and trained on the Anne Arundel Mobile Crisis Team. I have served diverse clients across the lifespan as a clinician at Maryland Therap eutic Riding, including veterans, children in foster care and individuals with disabilities. My work at the Johns Hopkins Burn and Trauma Center and Friendship Hospital for Animals developed my expertise in early interventions for trauma exposure and grief and bereavement for both human and animal-related losses.

I am recognized as a Certified Equine Interaction Professional: Mental Health (CEIP-MH) through the Certification Board for Equine Interaction Professionals (CBEIP). The CEIP credential is currently the highest level of competency assessment offered for equine interaction professionals in the U.S. and Canada. My training includes recognition as an EMDRIA-Approved Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. Supporting mind-body integration, I am also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200).

I earned prestigious accolades with the Marjorie V. Kittredge Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning Scholarship at the 2016 PATH Intl. National Conference, Behavioral Health Workforce Integration and Service Education Fellowship Award from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, the Intramural Research & Training Award from the National Institutes of Health, and the Grand Prize at D.C. Public Health Case Challenge: Cancer in DC: Eliminating Disparities from the National Academy of Medicine.

Tohkai is our rescued farm dog, who loves and plays with fierce curiosity. Tohkai is an loyal sentinel to her animals, craves splashing in our spring-fed streams and rolling in our red clay. Her name means fox in the indigenous Virginia language of Tutelo of the Monacan nation, whose land we currently steward.

Kestrel is our vivacious Mini Australian Shepherd, who has a contagious zest for life and lots of energy. Kestrel enjoys playing with his toys, cuddling and shepherding our goats. He is named for the littlest of North America’s falcons that is known to pack fierce intensity into its small body and is one of the most colorful of all raptors—just like our Kestrel.

Zephyr is a mustang gathered by the Bureau of Land Management from Nevada in 2018. She is strong, intelligent and the leader of our herd. Her name derives from the winds east of the Sierra Nevada mountains known as the Washoe Zephyr.

Quillen is a pony gathered from the feral bands at Grayson Highlands, VA. He is self-assured, independent and calm. Quillen is trusting and adapts quickly to changes with a gentle confidence.

Atla is a Norwegian-Fjord filly. She is quite expressive, smart and affectionate. Atla is quite bonded with our Zephyr and favorite play partner with Quillen.

Juniper is a Nigerian-Dwarf doeling, who is bravely resilient and sensitive. She is patient and thoughtful about building trust. Within our trip of goats, Juniper is the youngest and offers humility and grace.

Cedar is a Mini-Lamancha buckling, who is gregarious and outgoing. He loves to snuggle in your lap and growing with respect to boundaries. Within our trip, he is the most confident, curious and friendly.

Hazel is a Nigerian-Dwarf doe, who is gentle and strong. She is independent and enjoys affection. Within our trip, Hazel offers a calming energy and helps set limits.

Willow is a Nigerian-Dwarf doeling, who is sweet and kind. She is friendly and enjoys love and treats. Within our trip, she is the sister of Alder and daughter to Myrtle.

Myrtle is a Nigerian-Dwarf doe, who is protective and strong. She is loyal and enjoys her freedom. Within our trip, she is the leader and mother to Alder and Willow.

Alder is a Nigerian-Dwarf buckling, who is playful and cautious. He is quiet and enjoys being with his mother. Within our trip, he is the brother of Willow and son to Myrtle.