Our Approach

Horse and Soul Counseling incorporates a unique method of counseling called Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. Our staff also offers traditional talk therapy services to formulate the best support for you and your family. We embrace the thought that you have your own best solutions to improving your quality of life. Our helping professionals support you while you discover those solutions in a supportive and farm friendly environment.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy involves you being in a space with a horse, a licensed counselor, and an equine specialist (ES). The ES focuses on the horse’s behaviors and communicates these observations to the counselor and you. The horses are observed changing their own behaviors and responses depending on what you are thinking and feeling. If you feel anxious, the horse itself may then begin to show symptoms of anxiety. Depending on the need, you may be asked to aid the horse with working through that anxious thought. For others, it may be more powerful to observe the horse and make meaning of how the horse freely chooses to respond to the anxiety.

Around 60% of the visitors that come to Horse and Soul receive therapy utilizing the animals on site. Others prefer to enjoy the horses from the window and engage in traditional talk therapy.

Where It All Began

Horse and Soul Counseling was founded in 2017, by Tara E. Higgins who worked in our community throughout her counseling career. Tara was determined to create an environment that was inviting to visitors while training competent helping professionals to provide mental health services. The belief that Tara brings to Horse and Soul Counseling is to emphasize the values and strengths of each individual being served while providing support towards healing. Tara is a devout Christian and believes in the healing power of Jesus in the counseling process. Although, some participants do not integrate these values into the therapeutic process this space has proven to be a place for divine healing.

Our Philosophy

We believe it takes small steps to work towards improving your quality of life. We specialize in working with children, adolescents, teens, adults, and families. We are an advocate for family counseling and often find this essential when completing goals towards a positive mental health. We believe counseling is short-term where your family relationships are forever. We offer traditional talk therapy services and animal assisted counseling services. Most of our participants enjoy integrating the horses into counseling sessions while others prefer the comfort of our office on site.

We have diverse staff at our location so you can have the option of finding the right provider that understands the needs of you and your family. You have options of integrating faith based services or scheduling with our certified trauma professional. Either staff member has the qualifications to integrate their training during animal assisted sessions.

I encourage you to find the right counselor that can best support you and your family. This is a sensitive process where you have to feel safe and build a professional relationship with your counselor. I encourage you to reach out and stretch past any hesitation that may come up with having to seek the improvement of your mental health.

Meet Our Contractors

Tara Higgins, MA, Licensed Professional Counselor, Owner, Certified CLINICal trauma professional, APproved Board Supervisor

I am Tara Higgins and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I believe it takes small and consistent steps to work towards improving your quality of life. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. I believe compassion and understanding is the key when providing you and/or your loved one support. I foster the belief that you have the ability to come up with your own solutions and my goal is to provide you a safe space where we can discuss your thoughts and feelings.

The heart of my mission here is to provide clinical supervision to up and coming licensed counselors. It is key that we provide compassionate supervision to our counselors so they can learn and grow while providing mental health support to you and your family. I support each of our counselors to ensure you receive high quality healing while choosing the model of therapy of your choice.

GRETCHEN FRITTER- Busy Bee Billing Services, LLC

Hello and welcome! I am the office manager here at the farm. I have lived and worked in Orange County as a medical office administrator since 2004 and joined Horse and Soul Counseling in 2021. I enjoy using my skills to help people navigate entry into our services and provide support for any billing or insurance needs. Please feel free to reach out to me at admin@horseandsoulcounselng.com.

I am an empty nester and a G.G. to two amazing grandchildren. In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time with family and playing with my 7 month old cat, Sam. Fun fact: Sam has the same birthday as my granddaughter Kinsley!

Wishing you and yours the very best on your healing journey.

Cathy Hayes - MS. Education, Curriculum and Instruction - Administrative Team , Group Coordinator

I just love my retirement in beautiful Orange, Virginia. I was a special educator for 36 years in the public school system. I am peaceful and serene when I am at the farm. The equine setting allows one to relax and if willing, find some solace and sometimes the needed healing of the mind, body and soul. Like we say at Horse and Soul, “trust the process”. The horses can help lead you to discover yourself and see the beautiful inner you.

I will help you with any group questions or concerns you may have when registering with us. We have expanded our group services to include: caretakers, guardians, teens, adolescents, moms, dads. Check us out.

I am certain that in the future, when there is a need, Horse and Soul will continue to serve our community by expanding our services for a healthier you.

You reach out, we'll reach back. You won't fall. We'll help you, every step of the way.

Justine Richardson - Animal Caregiver

My name is Justine Richardson and I am excited to be apart of the H&S Counseling team.

My responsibilities on the farm are ensuring the animals on site receive exceptional care so they can perform their work in therapeutic sessions. I complete day-to-day farm tasks to support the healing these animals facilitate on a daily basis.

Shannon Solomon - Resident in Counseling

Hi! My name is Shannon. I’m a resident counselor completing my required hours for LPC licensure. I hold an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University and a B.S. in Animal Science with equine emphasis.

While I was serving in the Army, I met my husband, a fellow soldier, and moved from my hometown in Minnesota to Virginia. The move was a complete climate shock, but I have enjoyed the more mild temperatures and do not miss snow shoveling or frozen water tanks!

I have always had an intense passion for Christ and had a special bond with horses. My career aspirations have been combining ministry, horses, and counseling and am beyond excited to pursue both individual counseling and equine-assisted psychotherapy.

In my free time, I enjoy riding and spending time with my two horses, working outside, playing games with my husband and two kiddos, and drumming.

I look forward to working with you!

Brittany Cicero - EAGALA Certified equine specialist

Hi there! My name is Brittany Cicero. I am an EAGALA certified Equine Specialist with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Illinois. I also am a certified Masterson Method Equine Specialist and utilize the Masterson Method with our therapy equines as part of their post-session aftercare. My spouse Nic, our cat A.J. and I are originally from the Chicagoland area. We moved to Virginia for an opportunity that Nic was given to pursue his passion as a Professional Firefighter. Horses have always been an integral part of my upbringing. I feel blessed to be emotionally influenced by their presence and admire their innate ability to live in the moment. I have patiently prayed for a career that could unite my love of horses with the compassion I have for individuals seeking personal growth and development.

My mental health experience includes inpatient and outpatient hospital intake roles, behavioral health crisis line triage, and appointment and referral management.

In my free time, I enjoy horseback riding, photography, gardening and raising Monarch butterflies in the summer months.

Demery Schriver, MS - Resident in Counseling-Heeler peak Counseling, LLC

My name is Demery (like memory) and I am a Resident in Counseling at Horse & Soul. After completing my practicum with an intensive outpatient program, I have spent nearly 2 years with Horse & Soul gaining hours for my LPC licensure. I have a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University and a Bachelor's degree in Public Policy from the University of Delaware. I have experience working in an intensive inpatient setting with adolescents as well as crisis experience working for an outpatient program with high-risk adolescents. My area of practice ranges from depression, anxiety, trauma, behavioral issues, children and adolescents, mindfulness and meditation, LGBTQIA+ issues, as well as animal-assisted therapies.

When I am not working, I love spending time outside, riding my horses, training my dogs, and reading.

You may see me around the farm with a little black lab named Frankie- she is my therapy dog who has gone through professional therapy classes to learn special skills to help others. She is sometimes in sessions in our offices.

She is not available upon request, but on a case-by-case basis only.

Elle Taylor - Resident in Counseling

My name is Elle Taylor and I am a Resident in Counseling under the supervision of Tara Higgins. I possess a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. At a very young age I was given the gift of knowing that I wanted to help others through therapy. I believe that one of the most important things in a counseling relationship is rapport. With my clients, I like to engage in parts work through the internal family systems theory. Additionally, I have experience in facilitating dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills and substance use treatment groups. Working with horses is truly an honor, they have a way of reflecting what is occurring in us…the unseen. I look forward to walking alongside you on this journey.

I enjoy spending time with my husband, family, my horse Sahara, and Jesus. Life can take us to places that we never expected, but it is what we do there that counts.

Mackenzie Taylor - Resident in Counseling

Hi! My name is Mackenzie. I am currently a resident in counseling, completing my required hours for LPC licensure. I hold an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a B.A. in Psychology.

I have a background working primarily with children and adolescents in the mental health field and I love the work that I do! I have a passion for helping others and enjoy using a collaborative treatment approach with my clients. My experience includes assisting vulnerable populations with navigating areas such as anxiety and depression, trauma, behavioral issues, and LGBTQIA+ issues.

In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and fur babies, exploring new cities, and attending concerts.

Teresa Keating - Licensed Resident in Counseling

I am a Licensed Resident in Counseling and received my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity International University. I previously served in the U.S. Navy as a nurse specializing in women’s wellness. I have experience counseling across the lifespan through the various stages and issues that individuals face today. Treating the whole person, early adolescence through the golden years, with a foundation of clinical expertise and Biblical faithfulness, I will walk beside you in your healing journey providing hope, compassion, and helpful strategies and tools. I have experience with trauma, grief, bereavement, and loss, pregnancy and mood disorders, sexual integrity and wholeness, career counseling, counseling individuals and family members affected by disability, chronic or terminal illness, counseling those entering ministry and ministry spouses, military and family members, healthcare workers, law enforcement and first responders, moral injury, abandonment, and social anxiety. I utilize various treatment modalities including EMDR, CBT, DBT, ACT, and Narrative-focused. I also have received training utilizing Arenas For Change (ARCH) Equine-assisted services.

I am married and have four children. When I’m not counseling, I enjoy spending time with my family. I love the outdoors, kayaking, hiking, and camping.

Julia Compher (Julie) - Intern

I have been married for 28 years to my husband Ricky, and we have two adult children. I’ve worked as a dental hygienist for 23 years in the area. I decided to pursue my degree in mental health counseling after seeing such a desperate need for services in the community. I am completing my master's in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University. I’m passionate about utilizing my skills and training to help people find freedom from the bondage of trauma. Working in crisis counseling and trauma-informed therapy is my true passion in counseling. I believe strongly also in the power of faith-based integration therapy. I hope to continue to grow in helping individuals by utilizing all the avenues of healing that can be adaptable, including equine and animal therapy. I am very excited and feel very blessed to be able to join the Horse and Soul counseling team.

Frankie - Therapy Dog (NOT AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST) Owned by Heeler Peak Counseling

Please say hello to our resident therapy dog- Frankie! She is a 1-year-old black English Labrador Retriever who is on the farm to greet & make clients smile. Her favorite past times around the farm are chasing tennis balls, finding the best sticks, napping on the stepping stones, and sitting on people's feet. If you see Frankie around the farm, just remember, she's on the job!

Frankie is only available on a case-by-case basis which will be determined by her handler and clinician Demery Schriver.