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Our Team


EAP Sessions

The Healing Strides EAP therapy team is composed of one mental health professional therapist, one horse professional specialist, and at least one horse.

Our therapists hold at least a Master’s degree in Counseling, a Level 1 certification from the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) – EAP’s premier professional association – and are registered with and meet State of Colorado requirements to practice counseling. Each therapist offers both traditional, in-office counseling and equine assisted psychotherapy for adolescents, adults, individuals, couples, families and small groups. Each therapist also has advanced training in specialized areas of counseling.

Our horse specialists are also certified with EAGALA. They have many years of extensive experience and knowledge about horses, and are sensitive to needs of our clients.

Our horses exert subtle but profound influences on people. As clients develop a relationship or trust with a horse, we see a dramatic therapeutic impact on individuals, youth, families, and groups.

Founder – Jo Ellen Christian MA., NCC

Jo Ellen, a Nationally Certified Counselor, received her Masters Degree in Counseling from Denver Seminary.  She is Level I certified with EAGALA.  The Journal of Psychology and Christianity (JPC) published her case study on the effective use of EAP in treatment of eating disorders.

Jo Ellen founded Healing Strides, LLC, in September 2004 to provide both traditional office therapy and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). She works with couples and families seeking better relationship and parenting skills.  Her clients also include grieving children and adults, and people of all ages struggling with relationship, self-esteem, conflict resolution and communication issues. She partners with other professionals to offer support to those with addictions. Jo Ellen has worked at residential treatment centers for women suffering from eating disorders and from domestic abuse, extensively utilizing EAP, art and body image therapy, group therapy, and DBT skills training.  She is trained to administer the Prepare and Enrich Marriage assessment tool, and has received training in EMDR and Crisis intervention.

Primary Equine Specialist- Carol Jones

Carol is certified through the British Horse Society, receiving both the certificate of HorseMastership and Instructor level certification from England. She is also qualified to teach physically and mentally impaired riders.

Carol has trained horses and has been an award winning international professional competitor on the jumper circuit for over 25 years. She has also professionally taught riding for most of that time.

Carol is EAGALA Level 1 Certified. She adds her keen understanding of people and horses to Healing Strides, our staff, and our clients. As primary horse specialist, Carol regularly partners with Jo Ellen to help to assure safe and successful EAP sessions. She is also Head Trainer and owner of Windy Ridge Thoroughbreds offering beginning to advanced riding programs and other services found at http://www.windyridgethoroughbreds.com/.