Our Staff
Executive Director
Claire Ann Johnson
Claire Ann Barr Johnson, LPCC, is the Executive Director of Horses For Healing, Inc. She founded Horses For Healing in 2012. Claire Ann received her BA from Purdue University and her Master’s in Counseling from Webster University.
Claire Ann has been in the mental health field for 25 years, is a licensed clinical counselor and certified equine therapist. Claire Ann has been providing equine therapy for 20 years, founding and running an equine program for a local non-profit for 12 years before founding Horses For Healing. She has focused her career on PTSD, trauma, abuse and neglect work.
Therapist
Bethany Garcia
Bethany Garcia is a clinical mental health counselor, or LMHC, and has been practicing since the beginning of 2019. She was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and attended the University of New Mexico for her undergraduate degree and continued my education there in the Master of Counseling program.
Bethany had the opportunity to shadow and volunteer at Horses For Healing in 2015 and has been here ever since. She was able to shadow and intern at Horses For Healing throughout my counseling program, as well as other agencies in town, but she always knew that equine therapy was where she would end up. The horses have taught her so much and offer so much healing for the clients she works with. She is very lucky to be a part of it.
Therapist
Caitlin Erickson
Caitlin Erickson, LCSW; full-time equine therapist. Caitlin started her work with Horses For Healing back in 2014 as an equine specialist and is now a full-time therapist.
Caitlin is a life-long horse woman who is extremely devoted to the world of horses in a variety of ways. She brings her passion and love of horses to every session. Caitlin received a BS in Psychology from UNM and a Master's in Social Work from NMSU.
Caitlin has been in the mental health field for 6 years and is a licensed clinical therapist and certified equine therapist. She specializes in work with children, adolescents, and families, with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and trauma-based work.
Therapist
Celina Miera
Celina Miera, LMSW was born and raised in NM. She began her social services study
with undergraduate degrees in Child, Youth and Family Development and Art Studio.
She later graduated from New Mexico Highlands University with her Master’s in Social Work. Celina brings with her an abundance of life experiences including spending time as a veterinary technician. Her unique experiences help her to easily connect with clients from diverse backgrounds. Celina has experience working with children and youth of all ages, survivors of domestic abuse, and the first responder population, who hold a special place in her heart.
Ultimately, her love of animals and helping others realize their potential, brought her to Horses for Healing where beautiful connections between horses and humans are created and where she has been able to combine her passions in life to help others
facilitate change. Celina believes that with the right therapeutic support, people can
begin to heal, manage, and overcome their mental health challenges. She utilizes a
creative approach that combines scientific modalities with the unique needs of each
individual in order to create a safe space for all to grow, learn, and heal.
Barn Manager
Allison Briggs
She is joining our team as our Barn Manager and we couldn't be more excited. Read more about her incredible background and mad skills below.
"For as long as I can remember I have loved horses; from a young age I did everything I could to be around them. In middle school I began cleaning stalls at Westside Equestrian Center, and in high school I volunteered with Cloud Dancers Therapeutic Horsemanship. Throughout college I worked every summer as an apprentice at Horse Helpers and Consultants, learning natural horsemanship training skills. I competed on the NCAA Equestrian Team and in 2007 I graduated from New Mexico State University with a BIS in Equine Science.
After college I worked for seven years at Albuquerque Animal Welfare and continued to work independently as a horse trainer and care provider. Eventually I worked exclusively as a pet sitter specializing in horse care. Today, I am beyond thrilled to be joining the team at Horses For Healing, where I hope to use my experience to support the incredible horses who in turn help so many people."
Yoga Instructor & Horse Trainer
Calle Poindexter
After ten years of developing and teaching several equine-assisted activity and therapy programs for children and adults of all ability levels, PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Calle Poindexter decided to combine her two passions of horses and yoga and completed her 200 hours of Yoga Teacher Training through YogaZo in Albuquerque, NM. While promoting independence through Horsemanship and empowerment through Yoga, her program curriculum, Ashva Yoga (“Ashva” meaning “horse” in Sanskrit), is focused on the client as an individual, their ability levels and personal goals both on and off the mat.
Using the foundational principles of yoga in combination with horsemanship skills, Ashva Yoga helps to calm and strengthen the mind, body, and soul. Each individually tailored lesson begins with a yoga practice and transitions into working with the horse, implementing the yoga principles from the mat, to the arena, and into daily life.
She is the founder and owner of High Point Nonprofit Services, a company that provides specialized services to nonprofit organizations to promote growth, development, sustainability and increase their impact on the community.
Check out Calle's business
Therapist
Karen Seif
Karen Seif is an LMFT, (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) and obtained her Master's of Arts from the University of San Diego in 2016. Karen has a wide range of clinical experience, ranging from youth foster care, drug and alcohol residential treatment and psychiatric hospital settings. Karen specializes in trauma and is trained in EMDR.
In her free time Karen loves to go hiking and attend yoga. She also enjoys to leisurely walk her pups.