About us!
Therapist
Michaela Uttley (she/her), MS, LPC, CCTP
From the time she could walk, Michaela had a passion for horses. She still remembers the first time thrill of climbing high into the saddle on the back of a pony named Sally. Little did she know, horses would carry her through the best and worst days of the next couple of decades as she persued her dreams of becoming a therapist.
After licensure as a professional counselor, Michaela naturally found herself at the intersection of equine psychotherapy and traditional counseling. In equine sessions, Michaela brings together her foundation in Attachment Theory, Internal Family Systems, and Natural Lifemanship to help clients work through layers of relational wounding and trauma in relationships. In the office, Michaela offers additional interventions utilizing EMDR and somatic experiencing. Regardless of whether she’s in the office or at the barn, Michaela believes that safe and attuned relationships are the vehicle for positive change and healing. Her treatment specialty areas include eating disorders, trauma, and PTSD/cPTSD.
In her spare time, Michaela enjoys indulging in new music, playing guitar, writing poetry, spending time with friends, and being in nature (especially the mountains)! Michaela is also attuned to both human and animal reiki, so she enjoys offering reiki sessions to both humans and animals.
Therapist
Darby Pistilli (she/her), MS, LPC, CCTP
From the time she was twelve, Darby’s career goal was to be a therapist. She found herself searching the internet tirelessly in an attempt to absorb all of the information that she possibly could.
Several years and life experiences later, she found herself pursuing that dream of being a therapist. Through time, she found the modalities she is most passionate about today: EMDR, attachment theory, internal family systems, and somatic experiencing. Darby’s specialty areas include: trauma, PTSD/cPTSD, eating disorders, addiction, PANS/PANDAS.
In her free time, Darby loves spending her time with her guinea pigs, friends, crafting, and playing her guitar. She also hangs upside down in her free time and is an aerial arts instructor!
Guinea Pig Partner
Cynthia (she/her)
Cynthia is one of Darby’s guinea pigs! She was rescued at 7 weeks old with her fellow herd mate, Charlotte! Cynthia lives in a herd of 7 guinea pigs. Cynthia joins in on some of Darby's virtual appointments. She is trained to model behavioral trauma responses and assists in co-regulation. She is also chronically ill, so she is also able to showcase how to adapt skills to fit one’s needs.
Cynthia has a BIG personality. Cynthia loves exploring with her fellow guinea pigs, especially her sister Charlotte (they have let themselves out of their enclosures a time or two). She also loves playing with her toys and sleeping in cozy hides. Her favorite foods are cilantro, apples, and pea flakes!
Overall, Cynthia is one of Darby's most bubbly and chaotic guinea pigs who radiates pure happiness and curiosity
Equine Partner
Nora (she/her)
Nora came to America from Europe after she’d been written off by her previous family because she was unable to compete at higher levels. She had an injury that prevented her from jumping, so she was sold. In America, her new family then bred her in hopes that she would produce a baby, but Nora lost her baby early on in her pregnancy. That family then decided to sell her again. This is when Michaela found her and welcomed her to her forever home. Nora now assists clients in equine therapy sessions as they navigate things like co-regulation, attunement and safety in relationship, consent, and sifting through recent and historic attachment woundings. Nora’s favorite snacks include but are not limited to: apples, carrots, bananas, ginger snaps, pop tarts (cinnamon sugar flavor), and peppermints! Nora’s energy is best described as motherly and safe with a touch of sass.